Mister Roberts

Thomas Heggen penned his 1946 novel, Mister Roberts, based on his own personal experiences in the South West Pacific theater during World War II. He served on board the cargo ships USS Virgo and USS Rotanin and wrote a number of short stories based on what he experienced during that time. Later, he combined these stories into a novel. That novel was in turn adapted into a stage play that opened on Broadway and starred Henry Fonda, who was taking a seven-year hiatus from film acting to work exclusively on stage. When Mister Roberts was then adapted for the screen, that hiatus almost kept Fonda from appearing in it. Warner Bros. felt that he had been away from the screen for so long that he was no longer a bankable star. On top of that, they felt that he had aged out of the part as he was older than most men who were serving on cargo ships during the war at that time. Only by the insistence of director John Ford, who had worked with Fonda several times before,  was he cast to reprise his role from the play.

But despite Ford’s determination to have Fonda in the role, the two clashed on set, culminating in Ford’s hitting Fonda in the jaw over a particularly heated argument. This, coupled with a physical ailment, led to Mervyn LeRoy taking over the film midway through production, with additional directorial duties taken, uncredited, by Joshua Logan. According to Jack Lemmon, who recounted the experience years later, Logan reshot major portions of the film at the insistence of Henry Fonda. Fonda and Logan had a working relationship that went back to the Broadway play where Logan had been the director. While it is not explicitly stated, it’s likely that this fight between Fonda and Ford is the reason the two never worked together again.

As messy as it sounds behind-the-scenes on this production, the final result speaks for itself. The film was a financial and critical success, earning over $20 million globally and securing a nomination for Best Picture at the following year’s Academy Awards. It has been called the greatest film to ever lose Best Picture. That may be hyperbole, but there is no denying that it is an amazing feature film. It lost the Academy Award to Marty, a small film about love and self-worth, and, while Marty is amongst my favorites of the Oscar winners, it is hard to compare these two and argue which was more deserving. 

Mister Roberts takes place in the waning days of World War II. The United States Navy cargo ship Reluctant operates in the Pacific but far away from any enemy action. Lt. (j.g.) Doug Roberts (Henry Fonda) is the executive officer and the cargo chief, serving under the captain, Lt Cmd. Morton (James Cagney). Morton leads his ship much like Captain Bligh from Mutiny on the Bounty, as a tyrant. Roberts tries to shield the dispirited men from Morton, all the while dreaming of a transfer to a battleship where he believes he can do some good before the end of the war. 

Morton sees Roberts’ repeated requests for a transfer as a slight on his command, especially some of the language Roberts uses in his requests, and uses his position as captain to force Roberts to cease making the requests, lest he, Morton, takes it out on the men. This comes to a head when the Reluctant is ordered to a Pacific island for a liberty break for the men and Morton refuses to grant it unless Roberts falls in line and ceases his letters. For the sake of his men, Roberts gives in, refusing to speak to the men about why he has suddenly fallen in line with Morton. But word is bound to get out eventually. 

While Henry Fonda is his usual great self, the real breakout star here is Jack Lemmon playing Ensign Frank Pulver, the laundry and morale officer who is so intimidated by the captain that he manages to be stationed for more than a year onboard without ever coming into contact with him. This little detail alone tells you all you really need to know about Pulver. He talks big and comes up with all manner of pranks he wants to pull on the captain, but when the opportunities arrive, he shrinks back and becomes invisible. When he inevitably does come into contact with the captain, the moment plays out like a sketch comedy bit played to the hilt by both men. 

James Cagney is great playing this kind of character. He’s the kind of leader that no one wants to work for, yet we’ve all seen at one point or another. But there is a reason behind his personality. We get a brief scene midway through the film where he is rambling on about how he was put upon by the “college boys” who always looked down on him and felt he would never amount to anything. People who are undervalued often gravitate towards jobs where they will be placed in leadership roles, often to take out their feelings of inferiority on their underlings. It’s a typical narrative that we’ve all seen play out in the real world. It humanizes his character a bit but doesn’t take away our contempt for him. This comes to a head when Roberts, fed up with his deal with Morton, takes his prized palm tree, gifted to him for his past successes in cargo supply, and throws it overboard.

This plays out in the end, too, when Roberts is transferred off the Reluctant. Morton promotes Pulver into Robert’s old position, thinking that Pulver is a man who can be easily dominated. For a while, Pulver is just that. But when some tragic news reaches the men, news that the men take personally, Pulver finally gains a backbone and stands up to Morton, throwing his replacement palm tree over the side, too, just as Roberts did. Morton knows at this point that his problems aren’t gone by simply transferring Roberts away.

It should be noted that William Powell co-stars in this film. While he was only in his early 60s at the time, he stepped away from the screen after this film and lived his final thirty years in retirement. He is playing the unnamed doctor on board the Reluctant and is a sounding board for Roberts, listening and offering advice. He’s also besieged by all the crewmen’s hypochondria, attempts on their part to get anything but aspirin for their exaggerated woes. Powell could play this part in his sleep and is a wonderful addition to the cast. His best scene involves Roberts and Pulver trying to create a passable substitution for good Scotch from the supplies on board the ship. 

Mister Roberts is one of those classics that has kind of gotten forgotten of late. It shows up on Turner Classic Movies occasionally, but it isn’t really talked about much anymore. That is a shame because it is a really good film. It has a great sense of humor, a moral message to it, and an ending that will hit you in the guts pretty hard. This is a film that deserves better. It’s ripe for rediscovery. Fortunately, it’s not that difficult to find, just waiting for a new generation to see it and rediscover just how good of a film it actually is. 

Academy Award Nominations:

Best Motion Picture: Leland Hayward

Best Supporting Actor: Jack Lemmon (won)

Best Sound Recording: William A. Mueller

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Release Date: July 30, 1955

Running Time: 120 Minutes

Not Rated

Starring: Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, and Jack Lemmon

Directed by: John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy, and Joshua Logan (uncredited)