Dress Gray (1986)

When a first-classman's insignia is found on the riverbank near the drowned body of plebe David Hand, the specter of murder casts a shadow of scandal across the U.S. Grant Military Academy.... See full summary »

Director:

Glenn Jordan

Writers:

Lucian Truscott IV (based on the novel by), Gore Vidal (teleplay)

Stars:

Eddie Albert, Alec Baldwin, Lloyd Bridges

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eddie Albert	...	Judge Hand
Alec Baldwin	...	Rysam 'Ry' Slaight
Lloyd Bridges	...	Gen. Axel Rylander
Patrick Cassidy	...	David Hand
Susan Hess	...	Elizabeth Hand
Hal Holbrook	...	Gen. Charles Hedges
Alexis Smith	...	Mrs. Iris Rylander
Lane Smith	...	Col. King
James Sikking	...	Maj. Clifford Bassett (as James B. Sikking)
Albert Salmi	...	Sgt. Oliphant
Ron Rifkin	...	Maj. Consor
Timothy Van Patten	...	Lugar (as Tim van Patten)
Cameron Dye	...	Buck
Peter Nelson	...	Barnes
Louise Latham	...	Mrs. Loerna Tutwiler

Storyline

When a first-classman's insignia is found on the riverbank near the drowned body of plebe David Hand, the specter of murder casts a shadow of scandal across the U.S. Grant Military Academy. General Hedges, the headmaster of the school, is determined to keep the beleaguered school out of the headlines and attempts to cover-up the likelihood of murder by wielding his considerable influence to pass it off as a simple drowning. This is done in spite of forensic reports that show that, shortly before his death, David Hand participated in "consensual sexual relations" with another man. Letters from the dead boy, which the Army Intelligence Department "confiscates" from his sister's New York apartment, implicate Ry Slaight as the first-classman with whom David was in love. As General Hedges says, "You cannot have a murder without a murderer." He offers Slaight the opportunity to "go quietly" which means he would be washed out into the infantry and quickly bound for Vietnam. Professing his ...

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Plot Keywords:

commandant | murder | cadet | military academy | autopsy | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 March 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

La divisa strappata

Filming Locations:

New Mexico Military Institute - 101 W. College Boulevard, Roswell, New Mexico, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frank von Zerneck Films, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

192 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

During the search for Cadet Hand's body, the helicopter pilot spots the body in the river. Hand's head is above water, over a log, and his neck is arched, with his head looking forward. When the divers get to the body, Hand's head is face down in the water.

User Reviews

I went to the school that DRESS GRAY was shot at

In fact, I was there in 1985 when it was being filmed. I remember Alec Baldwin etc. As far as the movie goes, it was a great flick! I loved watching this after I graduated from New Mexico Military Inst. This movie was long but the content was good and of course, Owen Wilson and I were both cadets at this time. Perhaps this has influence on Owen?