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Red Ball Express (1952)

Approved | | Action , Drama , War | 29 August 1952 (Finland)
Red Ball Express Poster
Story of the military truck drivers who kept the Allied armies supplied in Europe during World War II.

Director:

Budd Boetticher

Writers:

John Michael Hayes (screenplay), Marcy Klauber (story) (as Marcel Klauber) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

Jeff Chandler, Alex Nicol, Charles Drake | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeff Chandler ... Lt. Chick Campbell
Alex Nicol ... Sgt. Red Kallek
Charles Drake ... Pvt. Ronald Partridge / Narrator
Judith Braun Judith Braun ... Joyce McClellan
Sidney Poitier ... Robertson
Jacqueline Duval Jacqueline Duval ... Antoinette Dubois
Bubber Johnson Bubber Johnson ... Pvt. Taffy Smith
Davis Roberts ... Pvt. Dave McCord (as Robert Davis)
Hugh O'Brian ... Pvt. Wilson
Frank Chase Frank Chase ... Pvt. Higgins
Cindy Garner ... Kitty Walsh
Gregg Palmer ... Tank Lieutenant (as Palmer Lee)
John Hudson ... Tank Sergeant
Jack Kelly ... Heyman
Howard Petrie ... Maj. Gen. Lee Gordon
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

August 1944: proceeding with the invasion of France, Patton's Third Army has advanced so far toward Paris that it cannot be supplied. To keep up the momentum, Allied HQ establishes an elite military truck route. One (racially integrated) platoon of this Red Ball Express encounters private enmities, bypassed enemy pockets, minefields, and increasingly perilous missions, leavened by a touch of comedy. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

reference to arizona | 1944 | france | driver | reference to mojave desert arizona | See All (23) »

Taglines:

FROM BEACHHEAD TO BATTLEFRONT! THEY CARRY THE AMMO FOR PATTON'S TANKS! (original print ad - all caps)

Genres:

Action | Drama | War

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Release Date:

29 August 1952 (Finland) See more »

Also Known As:

Hermanos ante el peligro See more »

Filming Locations:

Fort Eustis, Newport News, Virginia, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

James Edwards was originally cast in the role of Robertson, but was fired during production when he refused to testify before HUAC. He was replaced by Sidney Poitier. See more »

Goofs

The real Red Ball Express operated two separate roads for traffic (one going to the front and one for returning empty) Two-way traffic on a single road, as shown in the film , never occurred. See more »

Crazy Credits

No credits besides the title, seven minutes in the film. See more »

Connections

Featured in Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That (2005) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Giving the truck drivers of WWII their due.
15 August 2018 | by MartinHafer – See all my reviews

"Red Ball Express" is a film about the truck drivers who worked tirelessly to bring supplies to the men on the front lines...in this case, Patton's quickly advancing column of tanks. It is an important job that somehow gets overlooked in documentaries and textbooks...though supply lines are a huge reason the Allies won WWII.

Jeff Chandler plays the lieutenant in charge of the unit and he has to deal with a lot of things...the safety of his men, a disloyal sergeant, a driving partner who thinks the Lieutenant doesn't like him and more. All of it is MILDLY interesting and nothing more. Not a bad war film....just one that isn't particularly memorable.
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