Mister Roberts

A comedy set far from the front on a dull supply ship during the Second World War. Lieutenant Roberts keeps applying for a transfer into combat and the captain keeps refusing to release him. The production was more combative than the film. John Ford started it and was replaced by Mervyn LeRoy after conflicts with the cast and a gall bladder condition requiring emergency surgery. Joshua Logan, who had directed the stage production, came in uncredited and reshot major portions at Fonda's request. Ford had a hard confrontation with Cagney at the start and made threats. When Cagney turned up slightly late the next day he flipped it, saying he was ready and asking whether Ford was. Ford backed down and they had no further trouble. Warner Bros did not want Henry Fonda for the lead, considering William Holden or Marlon Brando instead. The studio argued he had been off screen for seven years and, at 49, was far too old for a lieutenant junior grade. Ford was the one who kept him. Jack Lemmon won Best Supporting Actor, and the film was nominated for Best Picture and Best Sound Recording. On a 2.3 million dollar budget it grossed 21.2 million. Who it is for: viewers who love classic Hollywood comedy and ensemble films set aboard ship. Who it is not for: anyone expecting a war film. There is no combat, and the subject is almost entirely boredom.