Ensign Pulver (1964)

Life becomes so harried after Ensign Pulver's prank, he and the Captain are swept off deck during a storm, ending up on a tropical island, a group of ship wrecked nurses, dancing natives and 1 very big case of appendicitis.

Director:

Joshua Logan

Writers:

Thomas Heggen (based on a play by), Joshua Logan (based on a play by),

Stars:

Robert Walker Jr., Burl Ives, Walter Matthau

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Walker Jr.	...	Ensign Pulver (as Robert Walker)
Burl Ives	...	Captain
Walter Matthau	...	Doc
Tommy Sands	...	Bruno
Millie Perkins	...	Scotty
Kay Medford	...	Head Nurse
Larry Hagman	...	Billings
Peter Marshall	...	Carney (as Peter L. Marshall)
Joseph Marr	...	Dowdy
Gerald S. O'Loughlin	...	LaSueur (as Gerald O'Loughlin)
Diana Sands	...	Mila
Robert Matek	...	Stretch
Jack Nicholson	...	Dolan
Al Freeman Jr.	...	Taru
Richard Gautier	...	Stefanowski

Storyline

1945, on an old cargo ship somewhere deep in the Pacific ocean: Captain Morton strives to become commander, so he demands the maximum quality of work from his crew, without granting them any freedom or favors - ignoring that they're thousand of miles away from the front. In one word: he drives his crew crazy. They are near mutiny, but no-one dares to do the first step. Until Ensign Pulver plays a prank on the captain that triggers fatal consequences...

---

Plot Keywords:

slingshot | military | homoerotic | u.s. navy | radio | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dos Fracos Não Reza a História

Filming Locations:

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First movie role for Larry Hagman.

---

Goofs

Bruno is referred to as being a Seaman First Class, when his uniform insignia is clearly that of a Petty Officer Second Class.

---

Quotes

Sailor: [Ensign Pulver is smuggling liquor aboard in a case marked "Brassieres"] Are bras that heavy, Mister Pulver?
Ens. Frank Pulver: Only when they're full.

---

Connections

References Superman (1941)

---

Soundtracks

"I'll Be A Sunbeam"
(uncredited)
Words by Nellie Talbot and music by E.O. Excell
Spoken by Taru

User Reviews

No More Mister Roberts

After the passing of "Mister Roberts" (1955) starring Henry Fonda, the surviving characters from the older film act out the closing of World War II aboard a Navy ship. Taking over the Jack Lemmon role is Robert Walker (as Frank Pulver), who gets caught smuggling several bottles of scotch in a brassiere box. Taking over for James Cagney, taskmaster Burl Ives (as Captain Morton) orders the booze thrown overboard. Too bad thirsty "Doc" Walter Matthau, taking over the role played by William Powell, couldn't convince Mr. Ives to use the alcohol for medicinal purposes...

Next, Ives refuses to allow seaman Tommy Sands (as John X. Bruno) shore leave, to comfort his wife and bury their suddenly deceased daughter. That's heartless. Walker captures some of the appeal Mr. Lemmon brought to the original film, but the three leads are miscast - Ives most obviously. The supporting cast is full of faces who would later become more famous; they are fun to place. Watch for a refueling plane to arrive with "Super Gal" painted on its side; probably inviting lawsuit consideration, she is the spitting image of DC Comics' "Supergirl" without the insignia.

***** Ensign Pulver (7/31/64) Joshua Logan ~ Robert Walker Jr., Burl Ives, Walter Matthau, Tommy Sands