Synopsis
Mr. Roberts is as an officer who's yearning for battle but is stuck in the backwaters of World War II on a non-commissioned Navy ship run by the bullying Captain Morton.
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Cast
- Henry FondaLieutenant Roberts
- James CagneyThe Captain
- William PowellDoc
- Jack LemmonEnsign Pulver
- Betsy PalmerLieutenant Ann Girard
- Ward BondDowdy
- Philip CareyMannion
- Nick AdamsReber
- Perry LopezRodrigues
- Ken CurtisDolan
Recommendations
- 90
The New York Times
It is loaded to the gunwales with screamingly funny scenes which, in several instances, are visual improvements on the play. - 83
The A.V. Club
With no battles and a setting that primarily stays on the U.S.S. Reluctant, Mister Roberts still captivates, aided by some shimmering dialogue already polished to perfection by the Broadway version, along with the renegade hijinks of the crew. - 80
Chicago Reader
The film is still hilarious, though time has dimmed the luster of Lemmon's hamming in favor of James Cagney's superbly psychotic commanding officer. - 80
Film Threat
Mister Roberts is a movie dedicated to anyone with a boring dead end job who wants to be a hero and has to decide whether to live honorably anyway. - 80
Village Voice
One of the better farce-comedies. [26 Oct 1955, p.6] - 80
Los Angeles Times
A brilliant mixture of laughter and pathos with delightful performances from Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell (in his last role) and Jack Lemmon, who received an Oscar as the enterprising Ensign Pulver. [24 Dec 1998, p.F12] - 70
Time Out
The fact that the picture is seamlessly anonymous testifies to the power of star performances rather than to any directorial engagement. The acting is the only reason to watch it. - 70
Variety
James Cagney is simply great as the captain of the ship. William Powell tackles the role of ship’s doctor with an easy assurance that makes it stand out and Jack Lemmon is a big hit as Ensign Pulver.
