In the waning days of World War II, the United States Navy cargo ship Reluctant and her crew are stationed in the "backwater" areas of the Pacific Ocean. Trouble ensues when the crew members are granted liberty.
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Title: Mister Roberts (1955)
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Henry Fonda | ... | Lt. j.g. Douglas A. Roberts | |
| James Cagney | ... | The Captain | |
| William Powell | ... | Doc | |
| Jack Lemmon | ... | Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver | |
| Betsy Palmer | ... | Lt. Ann Girard | |
| Ward Bond | ... | Chief Petty Officer Dowdy | |
| Philip Carey | ... | Mannion (as Phil Carey) | |
| Nick Adams | ... | Reber | |
| Perry Lopez | ... | Rodrigues | |
| Ken Curtis | ... | Dolan | |
| Robert Roark | ... | Insigna | |
| Harry Carey Jr. | ... | Stefanowski | |
| Patrick Wayne | ... | Bookser (as Pat Wayne) | |
| Frank Aletter | ... | Gerhart | |
| Tige Andrews | ... | Wiley (as Tiger Andrews) | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Mister Roberts is aboard a US cargo ship, working in the Pacific during the Second World War. He'd do anything to leave the quiet of the ship to join in the "action". Trouble is, the captain of the ship, is a bit of a tyrant, and isn't willing to sign Roberts' transfer requests. Also on board is Ensign Pulver, who avoids work as best he can, whilst living off the riches of his buying and selling. Roberts and the crew are in constant battle, even over the smallest of disagreements. Written by Rob Hartill
Taglines:
Now . . . Hilariously on the Screen ! See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
30 July 1955 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Keine Zeit für Heldentum See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$21,200,000Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)Color:
Color (WarnerColor)Aspect Ratio:
2.55 : 1
Edit
Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver: Captain, it is I, Ensign Pulver, and I just threw your stinkin' palm tree overboard! Now what's all this crud about no movie tonight?
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Henry Fonda wrote in his 1982 autobiography, My Life, that he believed that as good as the movie is, the play is even better. See more »Goofs
After Doug's transfer order comes through, he is talking with Doc. The accordian folder is first next to Doc, then under his arm, then back to the side of the table, then back to in front of Doc. See more »Quotes
[last lines]Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver: Captain, it is I, Ensign Pulver, and I just threw your stinkin' palm tree overboard! Now what's all this crud about no movie tonight?
See more »
Crazy Credits
The seven top-billed actors listed in the opening credits are not listed with the other players in the end credits. See more »Alternate Versions
Theatrical prints and the DVD version play Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever" in this scene. Fonda (or perhaps Mel Blanc) hums this tune in voice-over as he leaves the scene. A snippet of the television print version of this scene is in the supplemental material on the DVD in the segment featuring Jane Fonda. This can be compared to the feature version on the same disc. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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This film is a Classic, with a capital C! You have a great story, a great cast, laughs, tears and a dose of reality. How can you go wrong with Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell and Jack Lemmon?
What always struck me about this film was its realism. I spent some time on an auxiliary ship in the navy, and it's not glamorous. This film perfectly captures the life aboard non-combatant ships. They provide a vital service, but rarely get recognized for it. It also demonstrates what real leadership is. The main duty of an officer is to provide leadership and to see to the welfare of his troops. Mr Roberts is a shining example of a great officer.
The film also shows that the enemy isn't always on the other ship. I have seen captains like Cagney's, and you often spent more time defending your crew from those skippers, than you did from the opposing force. As Mr Roberts said, "....I know in wartime they scrape the bottom of the barrel...", well, they sometimes scrape that barrel in peacetime.
There's a great blend of comedy and drama throughout; but, just when you are feeling good, it delivers a punch to the gut. This is life as it is, not an idealized world.
Sign on board for a tour of duty with this film. You'll be glad you did.