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With: Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon, Betsy Palmer, Ward Bond, Ken Curtis, Philip Carey, Nick Adams, Perry Lopez, Robert Roark, Harry Carey Jr., Patrick Wayne, Frank Aletter, Tige Andrews, Martin Milner, Harry Tenbrook, Kathleen O'Malley, Gregory Walcott, James Flavin, Jack Pennick, Duke Kahanamoku
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Written by: Frank S. Nugent, Joshua Logan, based on a play by Thomas Heggen, Joshua Logan, and on a novel by Thomas Heggen
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Directed by: John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy
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MPAA Rating: NR
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Running Time: 123
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Date: 07/30/1955
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Pulver-ized
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
This was apparently a bear of a film to work on, with all kinds of fighting and drinking. Director John Ford was fired, Henry Fonda never worked with him again, James Cagney wanted to kick his brains out, and William Powell retired. Only young Jack Lemmon fared well, winning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar and becoming lifelong friends with Cagney. Nonetheless, it has a laid-back smoothness that's surprising, knowing the behind-the-scenes turmoil. It's an amusing idea, the story of a Navy supply ship whose crew is missing out on the "action" of WWII. The men are bored and pass the time spying on nurses through telescopes, and playing practical jokes on each other. Everyone wants to do away with the captain's prize palm tree, which takes up a corner of the bridge. Ensign Pulver (Lemmon) attempts to not be noticed by the captain, while Lt. Roberts (Fonda) tries in vain to get himself transferred. Everything hinges on a bit of blackmail in order to buy the crew some shore leave. Mister Roberts was a huge hit, and was even nominated for Best Picture. For some reason, a sequel, Ensign Pulver, was made nine years later, without Lemmon.
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