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Mister Roberts
Catalog Number
1017
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Primary Distributor (If not listed, select "OTHER")
Catalog Number
1017
Primary Distributor (If not listed, select "OTHER")
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Mister Roberts (1955)
Additional Information
Additional Information
All the Uproarious Fun of the Smash Broadway Play!
Now . . . Hilariously on the Screen !
The Six-Year Stage Smash on the Screen!
Henry Fonda returned to films after an eight-year absence in this masterful adaptation of the actor's Broadway hit Mister Roberts. Written and partially directed by Joshua Logan, the film stars Fonda as Lt. Doug Roberts, chief cargo officer of the supply ship "Reluctant." WW2 is in its last few months, and Roberts is itching for combat duty. But the Reluctant's surly, despotic captain (James Cagney), anxious to use Roberts to expedite his own promotion, refuses to sign any of Roberts' transfer requests. Helping to brighten Mister Roberts' humdrum existence are his best friends, Ensign Frank Pulver (Jack Lemmon, in an Oscar-winning performance) and the ship's philosophical doctor (William Powell, in his final film appearance). Most of the laughs are provided by Pulver, officer "in charge of laundry and morale." When he isn't wheeling and dealing to bring a bevy of beautiful nurses on board the Reluctant, Pulver is concocting elaborate schemes to avenge himself against the Captain -- even though he's spent 14 months on the Reluctant without ever meeting his nemesis. The film's highlights include the efforts by Roberts, Pulver, and Doc to mix a bottle of Scotch from Coca-Cola, Iodine, and other vital ingredients; and Mister Roberts' (and later Ensign Pulver's) assertion of manhood by tossing the Captain's precious palm tree overboard. Halfway through shooting, legendary director John Ford was replaced, ostensibly because of illness, by Mervyn LeRoy. One of the finest service comedies ever made, Mister Roberts spawned a less amusing sequel, Ensign Pulver (1964), as well as a 1965 TV sitcom.
Mister Roberts is a 1955 American CinemaScope comedy-drama film directed by John Ford[2] and Mervyn LeRoy, and starring Henry Fonda as Mister Roberts. Based on the 1946 novel and 1948 Broadway play, the film was nominated for the Best Picture and Best Sound, Recording (William A. Mueller) Oscars; Jack Lemmon received the 1955 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.[3]
The film takes place in the waning days of World War II on the United States Navy cargo ship Reluctant, in the rear areas of the Pacific theater of operations in World War II. The Reluctant was as far from the action as possible; yet still in the war. The unpopular captain, Lieutenant Commander Morton (James Cagney), is proud of his spotless record. His executive officer/cargo chief, Lieutenant Junior Grade Douglas A. "Doug" Roberts (Henry Fonda), tries to shield the dispirited crew from Morton's draconian rule.
Eager to join the fighting, Roberts repeatedly requests a transfer. Morton is forced by regulation to forward his requests, but refuses to endorse them, which means they are always rejected.
Roberts shares quarters with Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver (Jack Lemmon). Pulver spends most of his time idling in his bunk and avoids the captain at all costs, so much so that Morton even forgets that Pulver is part of the crew.
Roberts surreptitiously requests crew liberty from one of Morton’s superiors. It is granted, but when the ship reaches an idyllic South Pacific island, Morton denies the crew their much-needed shore leave. In private, Morton tells Roberts that the crew will not get liberty as long as he continues to request transfer and writes letters regarding disharmony aboard, which could endanger Morton's career. Finally, Morton agrees to grant the crew liberty on condition that Roberts never requests another transfer, no longer bends Morton's rules, and never reveals what made him change his attitude. Roberts reluctantly sacrifices his dreams.
While on liberty, the crew lets loose after months of pent up frustration. Many crewmen are arrested and hauled back to the ship by the military police and the shore patrol. The next morning, Morton is reprimanded by the port admiral and ordered to leave port immediately. Morton is irate about the black mark on his sterling record.
Meanwhile, the crewmen are mystified by Doug's new strictness. Morton deceives them into thinking that Roberts is trying to get a promotion. When a crew member informs Roberts of a new Navy policy which might assist him in getting a transfer despite the captain's opposition, Roberts refuses to take advantage of it.
News of the Allied victory in Europe depresses Roberts further, knowing the war may end soon without his ever seeing combat. Inspired by a patriotic radio speech celebrating VE Day, Roberts throws Morton’s prized palm tree overboard. The captain demands the identity of the culprit, but no one steps forward. He eventually realizes that Roberts is the only person aboard with the nerve to do it. Morton summons him to his quarters and accuses him of the deed. An open microphone reveals to the crew what changed Roberts.
Weeks later, Roberts receives an unexpected transfer. "Doc" (William Powell), the ship's doctor and Roberts' friend, confides to him that the crew risked court martial by submitting a transfer request with Morton's forged imprimatur. Before he leaves, the crew presents Roberts with a handmade medal, the Order of the Palm, for "action against the enemy".
Several weeks later, Pulver, who has been appointed cargo chief, receives a couple of letters. The first is from Roberts, who speaks enthusiastically about his new assignment aboard the destroyer USS Livingston during the Battle of Okinawa. He goes on to say that he would rather have the Order of the Palm than the Congressional Medal of Honor. The second letter is from a college classmate of Pulver's who is also assigned to the Livingston. The letter from Pulver's classmate reveals that Roberts had been killed in a Japanese kamikaze attack on the Livingston shortly after the first letter had been posted.
Incensed, Pulver marches across the deck, up a ladder to the ship's bridge, and throws the captain’s replacement palm tree overboard. He then marches into Morton's cabin, openly bragging about it and brazenly demanding to know why Morton has cancelled the showing of a film that night. Morton slowly shakes his head, realizing that his problems haven't gone away.
The film was a financial success. It grossed $21,200,000,[1] earning $8.5 million in US theatrical rentals
Release Date: July 14, 1955 by Warner Brothers
Now . . . Hilariously on the Screen !
The Six-Year Stage Smash on the Screen!
Henry Fonda returned to films after an eight-year absence in this masterful adaptation of the actor's Broadway hit Mister Roberts. Written and partially directed by Joshua Logan, the film stars Fonda as Lt. Doug Roberts, chief cargo officer of the supply ship "Reluctant." WW2 is in its last few months, and Roberts is itching for combat duty. But the Reluctant's surly, despotic captain (James Cagney), anxious to use Roberts to expedite his own promotion, refuses to sign any of Roberts' transfer requests. Helping to brighten Mister Roberts' humdrum existence are his best friends, Ensign Frank Pulver (Jack Lemmon, in an Oscar-winning performance) and the ship's philosophical doctor (William Powell, in his final film appearance). Most of the laughs are provided by Pulver, officer "in charge of laundry and morale." When he isn't wheeling and dealing to bring a bevy of beautiful nurses on board the Reluctant, Pulver is concocting elaborate schemes to avenge himself against the Captain -- even though he's spent 14 months on the Reluctant without ever meeting his nemesis. The film's highlights include the efforts by Roberts, Pulver, and Doc to mix a bottle of Scotch from Coca-Cola, Iodine, and other vital ingredients; and Mister Roberts' (and later Ensign Pulver's) assertion of manhood by tossing the Captain's precious palm tree overboard. Halfway through shooting, legendary director John Ford was replaced, ostensibly because of illness, by Mervyn LeRoy. One of the finest service comedies ever made, Mister Roberts spawned a less amusing sequel, Ensign Pulver (1964), as well as a 1965 TV sitcom.
Mister Roberts is a 1955 American CinemaScope comedy-drama film directed by John Ford[2] and Mervyn LeRoy, and starring Henry Fonda as Mister Roberts. Based on the 1946 novel and 1948 Broadway play, the film was nominated for the Best Picture and Best Sound, Recording (William A. Mueller) Oscars; Jack Lemmon received the 1955 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.[3]
The film takes place in the waning days of World War II on the United States Navy cargo ship Reluctant, in the rear areas of the Pacific theater of operations in World War II. The Reluctant was as far from the action as possible; yet still in the war. The unpopular captain, Lieutenant Commander Morton (James Cagney), is proud of his spotless record. His executive officer/cargo chief, Lieutenant Junior Grade Douglas A. "Doug" Roberts (Henry Fonda), tries to shield the dispirited crew from Morton's draconian rule.
Eager to join the fighting, Roberts repeatedly requests a transfer. Morton is forced by regulation to forward his requests, but refuses to endorse them, which means they are always rejected.
Roberts shares quarters with Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver (Jack Lemmon). Pulver spends most of his time idling in his bunk and avoids the captain at all costs, so much so that Morton even forgets that Pulver is part of the crew.
Roberts surreptitiously requests crew liberty from one of Morton’s superiors. It is granted, but when the ship reaches an idyllic South Pacific island, Morton denies the crew their much-needed shore leave. In private, Morton tells Roberts that the crew will not get liberty as long as he continues to request transfer and writes letters regarding disharmony aboard, which could endanger Morton's career. Finally, Morton agrees to grant the crew liberty on condition that Roberts never requests another transfer, no longer bends Morton's rules, and never reveals what made him change his attitude. Roberts reluctantly sacrifices his dreams.
While on liberty, the crew lets loose after months of pent up frustration. Many crewmen are arrested and hauled back to the ship by the military police and the shore patrol. The next morning, Morton is reprimanded by the port admiral and ordered to leave port immediately. Morton is irate about the black mark on his sterling record.
Meanwhile, the crewmen are mystified by Doug's new strictness. Morton deceives them into thinking that Roberts is trying to get a promotion. When a crew member informs Roberts of a new Navy policy which might assist him in getting a transfer despite the captain's opposition, Roberts refuses to take advantage of it.
News of the Allied victory in Europe depresses Roberts further, knowing the war may end soon without his ever seeing combat. Inspired by a patriotic radio speech celebrating VE Day, Roberts throws Morton’s prized palm tree overboard. The captain demands the identity of the culprit, but no one steps forward. He eventually realizes that Roberts is the only person aboard with the nerve to do it. Morton summons him to his quarters and accuses him of the deed. An open microphone reveals to the crew what changed Roberts.
Weeks later, Roberts receives an unexpected transfer. "Doc" (William Powell), the ship's doctor and Roberts' friend, confides to him that the crew risked court martial by submitting a transfer request with Morton's forged imprimatur. Before he leaves, the crew presents Roberts with a handmade medal, the Order of the Palm, for "action against the enemy".
Several weeks later, Pulver, who has been appointed cargo chief, receives a couple of letters. The first is from Roberts, who speaks enthusiastically about his new assignment aboard the destroyer USS Livingston during the Battle of Okinawa. He goes on to say that he would rather have the Order of the Palm than the Congressional Medal of Honor. The second letter is from a college classmate of Pulver's who is also assigned to the Livingston. The letter from Pulver's classmate reveals that Roberts had been killed in a Japanese kamikaze attack on the Livingston shortly after the first letter had been posted.
Incensed, Pulver marches across the deck, up a ladder to the ship's bridge, and throws the captain’s replacement palm tree overboard. He then marches into Morton's cabin, openly bragging about it and brazenly demanding to know why Morton has cancelled the showing of a film that night. Morton slowly shakes his head, realizing that his problems haven't gone away.
The film was a financial success. It grossed $21,200,000,[1] earning $8.5 million in US theatrical rentals
Release Date: July 14, 1955 by Warner Brothers
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