Ensign Pulver (1964)

Life becomes so harried after Ensign Pulver's prank, he and the Captain are swept off deck during a storm, ending up on a tropical island, a group of ship wrecked nurses, dancing natives, and one very big case of appendicitis.

Director:

Joshua Logan

Writers:

Thomas Heggen (based on a play by), Joshua Logan (based on a play by)

Stars:

Robert Walker Jr., Burl Ives, Walter Matthau

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Walker Jr.	...	Ensign Frank Pulver (as Robert Walker)
Burl Ives	...	Captain Morton
Walter Matthau	...	Doc
Tommy Sands	...	Bruno
Millie Perkins	...	Scotty
Kay Medford	...	Head Nurse
Larry Hagman	...	Billings
Peter Marshall	...	Carney (as Peter L. Marshall)
Joseph Marr	...	Dowdy
Gerald S. O'Loughlin	...	LaSueur (as Gerald O'Loughlin)
Diana Sands	...	Mila
Robert Matek	...	Stretch
Jack Nicholson	...	Yeoman Dolan
Al Freeman Jr.	...	Taru
Dick Gautier	...	Stefanowski (as Richard Gautier)

Storyline

1945, on an old cargo ship somewhere deep in the Pacific ocean: Captain Morton strives to become commander, so he demands the maximum quality of work from his crew, without granting them any freedom or favors - ignoring that they're thousand of miles away from the front. In one word: he drives his crew crazy. They are near mutiny, but no-one dares to do the first step. Until Ensign Pulver plays a prank on the captain that triggers fatal consequences...

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Plot Keywords:

island | u.s. navy | world war two | sequel | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

Following in the hilarious fun-steps of "Mister Roberts"

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Co-stars Robert Walker Jr. and Jack Nicholson would, five years later, co-star again, this time in 'Easy Rider' (dir. Dennis Hopper, 1969).

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Goofs

During Captain Morton's appendix operation he sings The Joy Boy's radio theme song in his drunken stupor. The Joy Boy's show didn't premiere until 1955, more than 10 years after the movies time setting.

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Quotes

Doc: [Saying a mock prayer as Ens. Pulver goes ashore, hopefully to bring back some bottles of scotch] Oh, Bacchus, God of Alcohol, coordinate Frank Pulver and glue him together for one day, please.

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Connections

Referenced in Damage (2012)

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Soundtracks

Oh My Darling, Clementine
(uncredited)
Usually attributed to Percy Montrose
Sung by the captain when under 'anaesthetic'

User Reviews

very enjoyable,back in the old days getting at your funny bone!

I know a lot of people try to make sense of this movie compared to Mr Roberts but I believe it was the Directors intent to just make it a fun layback at the drive-in movie to escape the reality we were facing back in the 60's Walter Matthau and Robert walker put together is dam funny and Burl Ives playes a dam mean captain even though he was the nicest guy in the world,I remember the movie at the drive in and I was 6years old and never forgot the movie cause it kept me laughing and I remember Mom and Dad bursting out laughing!just remember it was just ment to take you out of everyday life and bring you into a kind a fun world..and for a change you could get a chance to see life in a fun way..just sit back for a old fun ride!!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mr. Pulver and the Captain

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,616,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1