It's 1950 Korea. MSgt. Brennan (Karl Malden) is forced to work in a dangerous situation for an arrogant womanizing Captain Jim Herlihy (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) to keep his date in Tokyo. Six years later on a California air base, Brennan is frustrated that his new commander is Herlihy who got his promotions after their last encounter. He goes on a TV quiz show and he brings along his wife Edith (Marsha Hunt) and daughter Lois (Natalie Wood). He's under-appreciated and asks for a discharge. Herlihy is desperate to keep him especially with the new B-52.
It's rare to have a military movie center on the mechanics and there's a reason for that. It's not conducive for action although this movie plays more like a sales presentation for the new military hardware. From that aspect, it's interesting to have some good looks at these advance tech from that era. I'm not sure if his personal drama is that dramatic. The main drama is the budding romance and it's a bit creepy. He's twice her age and a ladies man. I don't like his character and it's hard to root for that relationship. It's not appealing and that makes it not funny, no matter the music cues.
It's rare to have a military movie center on the mechanics and there's a reason for that. It's not conducive for action although this movie plays more like a sales presentation for the new military hardware. From that aspect, it's interesting to have some good looks at these advance tech from that era. I'm not sure if his personal drama is that dramatic. The main drama is the budding romance and it's a bit creepy. He's twice her age and a ladies man. I don't like his character and it's hard to root for that relationship. It's not appealing and that makes it not funny, no matter the music cues.