Mister Roberts (1955)

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.

Directors:

John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Frank S. Nugent (screenplay) (as Frank Nugent), Joshua Logan (screenplay)

Stars:

Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.

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)

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.

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Plot Keywords:

naval officer | tribe | tree | american | victory in europe day | 

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Taglines:

The Six-Year Stage Smash on the Screen!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Henry Fonda reprises the title role that he originated on Broadway (for which he won a Tony Award in 1948).

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Goofs

Camera shadow falls on Doc when he gets up to go to "check on hypochondriacs."

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Quotes

Lt. j.g. Douglas A. Roberts: Frank, I like you. There's no getting around the fact that you're a real likable guy.
Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver: Yeah? Yeah!
Lt. j.g. Douglas A. Roberts: But...
Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver: But what?
Lt. j.g. Douglas A. Roberts: Well, I also think you're the most hapless, lazy, disorganized, and in general, most lecherous person I've ever known in my life.
Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver: I am not!
Lt. j.g. Douglas A. Roberts: You're not what?
Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver: I am not disorganized!

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Crazy Credits

The seven top-billed actors listed in the opening credits are not listed with the other players in the end credits.

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Alternate Versions

Television and the standard VHS prints substitute a different march that is played over the loudspeakers during the scene where Henry Fonda is listening to the VE Day celebrations and throws the captain's palm tree overboard. Also eliminated is the voice-over of Fonda humming the march as he walks up the gang ladder leaving the scene.

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Connections

Followed by Ensign Pulver (1964)

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Soundtracks

Army Air Corps Song
(uncredited)
Written by Robert Crawford

User Reviews

So fun, so real, so heartbreaking

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mister Roberts

Filming Locations:

Naval Air Station Midway, Midway Islands

Box Office

Gross USA:

$21,200,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orange Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (WarnerColor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1