Main Cast: Burl Ives, Walter Matthau, Tommy Sands, Millie Perkins
Release Year: 1964
Country: US
Run Time: 104 minutes
Plot
The crew of the USS Reluctant is at it again in this comedy sequel to Mister Roberts. The story opens toward the end of WWII as the great ship drops her cargo at various island bases. Their captain is an unbending tyrant. Young Pulver aspires to become a doctor just like his hero and mentor, the ship's physician. A terrible storm erupts and the ruthless captain is knocked overboard by a rogue wave. Brave Pulver dives over to save the commander and together the two end up stranded on a deserted island. When the captain suddenly doubles over with appendicitis it is up to Pulver to save him via a radio and the ship's doctor's instructions. Fortunately, it all comes out well in the end. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Review
One would hope that, as a sequel to Mister Roberts, Ensign Pulver might carry with it some of that film's wit, liveliness and appeal. Unfortunately this isn't the case -- and to make matters worse, Pulver can't even carry with it Roberts' cast. One doesn't expect Henry Fonda to appear in the sequel, of course, but surely Jack Lemmon should be involved, or at least James Cagney or William Powell? But the answer is no, no and no to these questions. Lemmon's absence is most sorely felt, for he made the part something truly special; Robert Walker Jr. gives it the old college try, but inspiration not competence is needed here. Burl Ives is a poor substitute for Cagney, and only Walter Matthau -- so different from Powell, but that may actually work to his favor -- manages to give a performance that is memorable. Casting would matter a little less if the screenplay were really good, but this one is a feeble mess of clichés and retreads, with little originality and no spark. (The same can be said for Joshua Logan's direction.) There is fun in spotting the likes of Jack Nicholson, James Coco and Larry Hagman in some small roles, but there's not really much here to entertain or even divert. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Leo K. Kuter - Art Director, Ben Kadish - Associate Producer, Dorothy Jeakins - Costume Designer, Daniel McCauley - First Assistant Director, Joshua Logan - Director, William H. Reynolds - Editor, George Duning - Composer (Music Score), Charles Lawton - Cinematographer, Joshua Logan - Producer, William Kiernan - Set Designer, M.A. Merrick - Sound/Sound Designer, Joshua Logan - Screenwriter, Peter S. Feibleman - Screenwriter, Joshua Logan - Play Author, Thomas Heggen - Play Author
