A TOP NOTCH RENDITION OF AN AWARD WINNING STORY
Harold Wolf | Wells, IN United States | 10/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Mister Roberts" is available as a movie, a book, and as this DVD which uses the Broadway script. It is a story all will enjoy, so which do you buy? I recommend this one.
It is enjoyable, for a change, to see a story played out before a live audience, with the skill of actors rather than film mechanics making the difference. The 1955 film, like this newer version, is complete with a STAR-STUDDED cast. The '55 cast stars Henry Fonda. If it's the older film version desired, perhaps just a few dollars more will get you the 4-movie set of Fonda which includes "Mister Roberts."
This "Mister Roberts" production includes a more contemporary cast. It was first aired in 1984. The lone female role, the blond, sexy, nurse, Ann Gerard, nicknamed "Red Label",is played by Marilou Henner (Taxi, 1978-83). Lt. Doug Roberts (Robert Hays- of Airplane) is cargo officer on a navy cargo ship but wishing he was seeing more military action just as the WWII front in Europe is about to come to a victorious end. Captain Morton (Charles Durning), refuses to help him leave the ship for another duty. The association with Ensign Frank Pulver (Kevin Bacon, Animal House funny) and Doc (Howard Hesseman-WCRP in Cincinnati)provides many humorous moments within the story of Mr. Roberts' escape to the war front.
The TV aired theatre performance version is delightful evening entertainment. It's like having the expensive front row seats.
A sequel to "Mister Roberts", "Ensign Pulver", 1964, is also available with Robert Walker Jr. becoming Pulver, Burl Ives the Captain, and Walter Matthau, Jack Nicholson, and Larry Hagman added for the other main roles. Let us hope it is soon to be a DVD also."