Main Cast: Jackie Gleason, Steve McQueen, Tuesday Weld, Tony Bill, Tom Poston
Release Year: 1963
Country: US
Run Time: 88 minutes
Plot
The unlikely duo of Steve McQueen and Jackie Gleason star in this military comedy-drama. Gleason is Master Sergeant Max Slaughter, a corpulent man perfectly content with his solitary life in the Army, where his room and board are paid for and free sodas are his for the taking. His comrade, the more ambitious Sergeant Eustis Clay (McQueen), looks forward to leaving the service and making a big success of himself in business. Nevertheless, Eustis worships the ground that the kindly Max walks on and introduces him to a pretty teenager, Bobby Jo Pepperdine (Tuesday Weld). This sets off the ire of Bobby Jo's would-be suitor Sergeant Fred Lenahan (Lew Gallo), a tough military policeman who's already got a bone to pick with Eustis, leading to a tragic turn of events for Eustis and Max. The script for Soldier in the Rain (1963) was co-written by Blake Edwards. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Review
An absorbing film that deserves to be much better known, Soldier in the Rain is a sometimes uneasy blend of comedy and drama that doesn't always quite come off, but has so much going for it that one is glad to overlook its flaws. A buddy picture set in the peacetime Army, Soldier is concerned with how a strong friendship can develop between two people of differing personalities and aims. Jackie Gleason and Steve McQueen are different types, and the fact that they have such a strong bond may at first seem unlikely, but as the film progresses it somehow seems natural and inevitable. Blake Edwards and Martin Richlin have done an excellent job of adapting William Goldman's novel, and together with director Ralph Nelson have opted to emphasize the character aspects of the material over the plot. This does make the story seem a bit fuzzy and haphazard in places, and the climax is perhaps not set up as carefully as it might have been; however, the richness of the character study makes up for this. Most importantly, the film gives Jackie Gleason the opportunity to demonstrate what a truly gifted and unique performer he was. As expected, Gleason handles the comedic aspects of the role like the true comic he is. But many forget that the actor was a skillful dramatic performer as well, and he shines throughout here, using his underlying vulnerability and tenderness to extremely good effect. He's especially good in his scenes with Tuesday Weld, who also turns in another sterling performance. McQueen, unfortunately, doesn't match his co-stars; his character is a bit over-the-top, but McQueen forces the issue, and he overplays the comedy something terrible. Much better are supporting players such as Tom Poston and, in a very small role, Adam West. Soldier is hard to find, but worth searching out. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
James W. Payne - Art Director, Phil Barber - Art Director, Shirley Strahm - Costume Designer, Jerry Alpert - Costume Designer, Austen Jewell - First Assistant Director, Ralph Nelson - Director, Ralph Winters - Editor, Henry Mancini - Composer (Music Score), Henry Mancini - Musical Direction/Supervision, Bud Bashaw - Makeup, Philip H. Lathrop - Cinematographer, Martin Jurow - Producer, James W. Payne - Set Designer, Larry Hampton - Special Effects, Lawrence A. Hampton - Special Effects, Carl Faulkner - Sound/Sound Designer, Blake Edwards - Screenwriter, Maurice Richlin - Screenwriter, William Goldman - Book Author
Soldier in the Rain (1963) is a comedy-drama film about the friendship between an aging Army Master Sergeant (Jackie Gleason) and a young country bumpkin buck sergeant (Steve McQueen). Tuesday Weld also stars.
Eustis Clay is a peacetime soldier who can't wait to finish his service and move on to bigger, better things. He is a personal favorite of Master Sergeant Maxwell Slaughter, a military lifer who is considerably brighter than Eustis but enjoys his company and loyalty.
Eustis is involved in a number of schemes and scams, including one in which he will sell tickets to see an equally dim private named Meltzer run a three-minute mile. He inconveniences Slaughter more than once, including a traffic mishap that requires him being bailed out of jail.
Determined to tempt Slaughter with the joys of civilian life before his hitch is up, Eustis fixes him up on a date with the much-younger, not too bright Bobbi Jo Pepperdine. At first Slaughter is offended but gradually he sees another side to Bobbi Jo, including a mutual fondness for crossword puzzles. Eustis and Slaughter golf together and begin to enjoy the good life.
One night, Eustis is devastated to learn of the death of Donald, his dog. A pair of hated rivals lure Eustis into a barroom brawl. He is beaten two-against-one and is nearly defeated when Slaughter angrily comes to his rescue. Together they win the fight, but the middle-aged, overweight Slaughter collapses from the effort.
Hospitalized, he delights Eustis by suggesting that they leave the Army together and go live on a tropical isle, surrounded by blue seas and beautiful girls. Slaughter dies, however, and Eustis, a changed man, re-enlists in the Army for another hitch.
