The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955)
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- Approved
- 1h 40min
- Biography, Drama
- 31 Dec 1955 (USA)
- Movie
A dramatization of the American general and his court martial for publically complaining about High Command's dismissal and neglect of the aerial fighting forces.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Gary Cooper | ... |
Col. Billy Mitchell
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| Charles Bickford | ... |
Gen. Jimmy Guthrie
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| Ralph Bellamy | ... |
Congressman Frank R. Reid
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| Rod Steiger | ... |
Maj. Allan Guillion
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| Elizabeth Montgomery | ... |
Margaret Lansdowne
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| Fred Clark | ... |
Col. Moreland
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| James Daly | ... |
Lt. Col. Herbert White
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| Jack Lord | ... |
Lt. Cmdr. Zachary 'Zack' Lansdowne
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| Peter Graves | ... |
Capt. Bob Elliott
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| Darren McGavin | ... |
Capt. Russ Peters
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| Robert F. Simon | ... |
Adm. Gage
(as Robert Simon)
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| Charles Dingle | ... |
Sen. Fullerton
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Dayton Lummis | ... |
Gen. Douglas MacArthur
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Tom McKee | ... |
Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker
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| Stephen Roberts | ... |
Maj. Carl Spaatz
(as Steve Roberts)
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| Herbert Heyes | ... |
Gen. John J. Pershing
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| Robert Brubaker | ... |
Maj. H.H. Arnold
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| Phil Arnold | ... |
Fiorello La Guardia
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| Ian Wolfe | ... |
President Calvin Coolidge
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| Will Wright | ... |
Adm. William S. Sims
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Abdullah Abbas | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
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| Peter Adams | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
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John Alban | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Griff Barnett | ... |
George Carlson (uncredited)
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| Robert Bice | ... |
Naval Officer Aide (uncredited)
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| Marshall Bradford | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Paul Bradley | ... |
Court Martial Spectator (uncredited)
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| Charles Chaplin Jr. | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Mario Cimino | ... |
Italian Officer (uncredited)
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Oliver Cross | ... |
Court Martial Spectator (uncredited)
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Dan Dowling | ... |
Civilian (uncredited)
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Jack Ellis | ... |
Court Martial Judge (uncredited)
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Harry Evans | ... |
Court Martial Spectator (uncredited)
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Norman Field | ... |
Court-Martial Judge (uncredited)
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| William Forrest | ... |
Commandant at Ft. Sam Houston (uncredited)
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| William Fox | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Art Gilmore | ... |
Radio Broadcaster (uncredited) (voice)
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Joe Haworth | ... |
Captain (uncredited)
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| William Henry | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
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Lars Hensen | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Edna Holland | ... |
Mrs. Sturges (uncredited)
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Steve Holland | ... |
Stu Stuart (uncredited)
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| Stuart Holmes | ... |
Court-Martial Judge (uncredited)
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Charles Anthony Hughes | ... |
Court-Martial Judge (uncredited)
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Charles Keane | ... |
Major (uncredited)
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Edward Keane | ... |
Court-Martial Judge (uncredited)
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| Fred Kelsey | ... |
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Adam Kennedy | ... |
Yip Ryan (uncredited)
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| Mike Lally | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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King Lockwood | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Cy Malis | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Alan Marston | ... |
Military Policeman in Court (uncredited)
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| John Maxwell | ... |
Court-Martial Judge (uncredited)
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George Mayon | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Harold Miller | ... |
Officer in Courtroom (uncredited)
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Ewing Mitchell | ... |
Court-Martial Judge (uncredited)
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Al Page | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Fred Perce | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Jack Perrin | ... |
Court Reporter (uncredited)
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Hal Rand | ... |
Clerk (uncredited)
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Clark Ross | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Manning Ross | ... |
Ted Adams (uncredited)
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| Bernard Sell | ... |
Photographer (uncredited)
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Jordan Shelley | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Leslie Sketchley | ... |
Court Martial Judge (uncredited)
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G. Albert Smith | ... |
Clerk (uncredited)
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| Howard Smith | ... |
Committee Chairman (uncredited)
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Joel Smith | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Norman Stevans | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
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| Bert Stevens | ... |
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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Rodger Terry | ... |
Court Martial Spectator (uncredited)
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| Max Wagner | ... |
Sergeant Major (uncredited)
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| Gregory Walcott | ... |
Howard Millikan (uncredited)
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| Frank Wilcox | ... |
Maj. Tom (uncredited)
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| Robert B. Williams | ... |
Carl Tuttle (uncredited)
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William Yokota | ... |
Japanese Officer (uncredited)
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| Carleton Young | ... |
Pershing's Aide (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Otto Preminger | ||
Written by
| Milton Sperling | ... | (story and screenplay) and |
| Emmet Lavery | ... | (story and screenplay) |
| Ben Hecht | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Dalton Trumbo | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Michael Wilson | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Milton Sperling | ... | producer |
Music by
| Dimitri Tiomkin | ||
Cinematography by
| Sam Leavitt | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Folmar Blangsted | ||
Art Direction by
| Malcolm C. Bert | ... | (as Malcolm Bert) |
Set Decoration by
| William L. Kuehl | ... | (as William Kuehl) |
Costume Design by
| Howard Shoup | ||
Makeup Department
| Gordon Bau | ... | makeup supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jack McEdward | ... | assistant director (as Jack McEdwards) |
| Russell Saunders | ... | second unit director (as Russ Saunders) |
Sound Department
| Stanley Jones | ... | sound |
Special Effects by
| Hans F. Koenekamp | ... | special effects (as H.F. Koenekamp) |
| Arthur Rhoades | ... | miniatures supervisor (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Ron Burke | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Vaughn Wilkins | ... | assistant camera |
Music Department
| Dimitri Tiomkin | ... | conductor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Alma Young | ... | script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| Douglas Keeney | ... | technical adviser (as Maj. Gen Douglas Keeney USAF RES. {RET.}) |
| Betsy Landowne Caswell | ... | consultant (uncredited) |
| Paul Mantz | ... | planes supplier (uncredited) |
| Joseph McMullen | ... | consultant (uncredited) |
| John P. Oliver | ... | consultant (uncredited) |
| General St. Clair | ... | consultant (uncredited) |
| Slim Talbot | ... | stand-in: Gary Cooper (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Warner Bros. (1955) (United States) (theatrical) (presents)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (France) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (New Zealand) (theatrical)
- National Telefilm Associates (NTA) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- Taurus Video (1988) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Republic Pictures Home Video (1989) (United States) (VHS) (pan/scan version)
- Roadshow Entertainment Video (1993) (Australia) (VHS)
- Intergroove Media (2010) (Germany) (DVD)
- Olive Films (2012) (Canada) (DVD) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Olive Films (2012) (United States) (DVD) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Endless Classics (2017) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Endless Classics (2017) (Germany) (DVD)
- Topanga Canyon Films (2018) (Spain)
- Paramount Channel (2020) (France) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The true story of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneering crusader for the Army's fledgling air corp. In spite of an impressive performance during the First World War, the commanders of America's armed forces still think of the airplane as little more then a carnival attraction. Even after sinking an "unsinkable" captured German battleship from the air, Mitchell sees funds dry up and friends die due to poor equipment. He is court-martialed after questioning the loyalty of his superiors for allowing the air corp to deteriorate.
Written by KC Hunt |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | He defied the army and navy . . . and they gave him a Court Martial! See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | The Mitchell family was very unhappy with the film, especially the casting of the tall, laconic Gary Cooper in the lead role. The real Billy Mitchell was short with an explosive temper. The family thought James Cagney would have been ideal. See more » |
| Goofs | In the movie, Billy Mitchell is reduced in rank and transferred to Texas for disobeying orders during the bombing tests. Actually it was due to him talking to the press without permission and happened a few years after this event. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Referenced in 5 O'Clock Charlie (1973). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Tea for Two See more » |
| Quotes |
Admiral William S. Sims:
The Navy hasn't got any policy on flying, they are ignoring the aeroplane in hopes that it will just go away. See more » |