Review of Captain Newman, M.D. (1963) by K S — 04 Mar 2009

Fresh off his Academy Award for To Kill a Mockingbird, Gregory Peck jumps into a comedy drama and surrounds himself with some very capable players: Tony Curtis, Angie Dickinson, Eddie Albert, Dick Sargent and a young Robert Duvall.

This isn't a perfect movie by any means but it delivers on the laughs and at no point did I feel the story arch was being lost behind the occasional comic spot of Curtis. Peck isn't given much to work with in terms of character however he reveals his extraordinary ability to be convincing in reacting and observing the other patients. One of the better scenes is one where Bobby Darin is dreaming and explaining his problems to Peck and Dickinson in a hospital room.

This is a very well constructed war, drama-comedy and is full of strong players and performances. About as interesting as a military hospital film can be.