Review of Mister Roberts (1955) by Stuart K — 07 Feb 2013

This light-hearted and entertaining comedy-drama, saw the return after an 8 year absence to the screen by Henry Fonda, and director John Ford directing this adaptation of Thomas Heggen and Joshua Logan's 1948 play.

It should have been an easy shoot, but Ford got sacked and was replaced by Mervyn LeRoy, with Logan employed to do uncredited reshoots much later on. It could have been a disaster, but it's brilliant to watch with great performances.

In the final days of World War II on board the United States Navy cargo ship Reluctant, it's run by Lieutenant Commander Morton (James Cagney), who is unpopular with the rest of the crew, but he's a proud and enigmatic man.

Morale amongst the crew is low because of the fear Morton puts into the crew, but his executive officer Lieutenant Douglas A. "Doug" Roberts (Fonda), makes it his personal mission to raise morale amongst the crew.

Roberts shares his Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver (Jack Lemmon) who spends most of his time avoiding Morton. When Roberts lets the crew have fun on shore leave, Morton gets mad at Roberts. It's a fun film, and you'd never believe that 3 directors worked on the film, Lemmon steals the film, and he rightfully won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his efforts, while Fonda and Cagney spar off each other brilliantly, it makes electrifying viewing.