In the waning days of World War II, the cargo officer of a Navy supply ship chafes at its role far from the action in the Pacific's backwater areas, his frustration rising when its captain d... Read allIn the waning days of World War II, the cargo officer of a Navy supply ship chafes at its role far from the action in the Pacific's backwater areas, his frustration rising when its captain denies the crew liberty over petty irritations.In the waning days of World War II, the cargo officer of a Navy supply ship chafes at its role far from the action in the Pacific's backwater areas, his frustration rising when its captain denies the crew liberty over petty irritations.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 5 nominations total
- Mannion
- (as Phil Carey)
- Bookser
- (as Pat Wayne)
- Wiley
- (as Tiger Andrews)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWilliam Powell's last film, his final film appearance. He had marked difficulties retaining his lines, something that had not happened to him in earlier films. This, along with frail health (including bouts with cancer) plus a difficult Hawaii location shoot, ultimately led to the actor's decision to retire.
- GoofsIn the scene where the ship is underway and at general quarters, several shots of the bridge show that there is no one at the helm (steering the ship).
- 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?
- Crazy creditsThe seven top-billed actors listed in the opening credits are not listed with the other players in the end credits.
- Alternate versionsTelevision 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.
- SoundtracksIf I Could Be with You One Hour Tonight
(uncredited)
Music by James P. Johnson
Words by Henry Creamer
Published by Warner Bros. Inc. (ASCAP)
Sung, hummed and whistled by Jack Lemmon throughout film (uncredited)
The captain grew up poor and this did not teach him empathy for his fellow man when he climbed out of poverty and became an officer. Instead he just learned to be the ultimate bully. He denies the crew privileges because he can, but he is always interested in schmoozing superior officers whom he deems as important. In the words of "Philadelphia Story", In spite of the fact that somebody's up from the bottom, he can still be quite a heel. "
The crew idolizes Roberts because he is constantly antagonizing their tormenter. But then one day the Captain holds the crew's much deserved and much needed liberty for ransom - Roberts has to stop writing requests for transfers and act like he is toadying to the captain from now on and moreso keep this arrangement secret - and Roberts has to choose.
Because the film is about boredom during wartime, it would be easy for this film to be - well - boring, but to its credit it is not. This is because of all of the small scenes involving the four leads and the outstanding cast. Henry Fonda starred as Mr. Roberts onstage, and it is said he actually directed parts of it after John Ford walked off. William Powell makes his last film appearance as the ship's surgeon, "Doc", and he has some scenes that have that wily and humorous Powell greatness while delivering words of wisdom or a recipe for fake Scotch. Jack Lemmon won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Ensign Pulver, a slimy little weasel and wannabe womanizer who has potential.
I'd recommend this even if you are not particularly fond of war films - I'm not and I enjoyed it a great deal.
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $21,200,000
- Runtime2 hours 3 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.55 : 1
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