Imitation General

I noticed one reviewer disliked the movie because it wasn't funny. Well, technically I guess it is sort of a comedy...but if you stop expecting laughs, you'll likely enjoy it much more.

The story begins sometime during WWII after the allies have invaded France (sometime June 1944 or later). A bunch of American Army soldiers are having a tough time, as the Germans are counter-attacking with tanks. So, a General goes up to the front lines to fight with the troops and inspire them with his bravery. Unfortunately, the man is soon killed. Sergeant Savage (Glenn Ford) is mistaken for the general by one of the men...and then he gets the idea to continue pretending to be him. Why? Because he notices how much better then men fight when he's there with them.

This is not a laugh out loud film. But it is clever and diverting...and that was more than enough for me. Add to this that the story is unique and you have a nice film, well worth your time.

This is Glenn Ford at his best. Serious, humorous and down right hilarious. As a veteran I can see this really happening.

Immediately after The Teahouse of the August Moon, Glenn Ford's military comedic talents were utilized again in Imitation General. The premise wasn't exactly funny, but the film took a dark comedic take on the war. It's very hard to make a total comedy in a war background, since war isn't funny, but this movie takes its best chance.

Glenn and Kent Smith, a general, are isolated together after a particularly bloody battle, and when Kent dies saving Glenn's life, he's extremely humbled. He holds the helmet of the late general, and that's when another unit finds and rescues him. They assume he's holding his own helmet, and Glenn doesn't correct them. He thinks it will inspire the troops if he pretends to be the general and tells them what a great job they're doing. However, he doesn't count on Red Buttons, the only soldier of the bunch who has met him before. Mixing situational comedy, fast timing, and the somberness of war, Imitation General does its best to make audiences laugh while they're watching soldiers. The Teahouse of the August Moon is a rarity, but keep in mind it takes place during post-war reconstruction, not during active battles.

The Korean War had been over for five years, and Vietnam was still that many years distant for U.S. combat forces. In 1958, the U.S. and most of the world were in the midst of the Cold War that itself would escalate to near nuclear catastrophe in just a few years. Only a few movies were made in the last half of the decade about WWII after it ended in 1945. Hollywood, Great Britain and other western countries began making more films about WWII in the 1950s. By the late 50s, Hollywood began to make comedy war films. In 1957, "Don't Go Near the Water" was a Navy wartime movie that starred Glenn Ford. In "Imitation General," Ford plays in an Army film as Master Sergeant Murphy Savage.

The small cast are all very good in this pleasant film that has good comedy mixed with some good action. The play and time are France in 1944. Murphy and Corporal Chan Derby, played very well by Red Buttons, are the driver and security for Gen. Charles Lane, played well by Kent Smith. When Lane is killed by German gunfire, Murphy is inadvertently assumed to be a general when a soldier sees him holding the general's steel pot (helmet). One thing leads to another and Murphy assumes the general's ID long enough to pull together some scattered troops in an area who were surrounded by Germans and cut off from their units.

Action and a little mayhem switch back and forth. Murphy's actions and leadership are sure to earn the General high honors and recognition later. The men admired and respected Lane, and Murphy does a credible job as substitute. Oh, yes. The would-be romance piece of plot is included with Taina Elg playing Simone, a young French woman who speaks no English. There is no romance, really, but she helps add some humor to the film.

This isn't a big war production. It has skirmishes with small number of troops. The GIs succeed in a trap and knock out two Panzer tanks. Murphy and Chan take on two more tanks by themselves with helmets filled with mud. You'll have to watch the movie to see how that unfolds. This is an enjoyable and light movie all around. It was a time – spaced between wars – when people could watch a film like this and not think about the German soldiers who were being killed.

Glenn Ford and Red Buttons take a mighty big chance trying to impersonate a general. It's a court martial offense if they're caught.

Although the film goes overboard in silliness at times, Imitation General is a pretty good comedy from the talented director/actor team of George Marshall and Glenn Ford who also did the riotously funny The Sheepman that same year.

Sergeant Ford and Corpoal Buttons are assigned and driving General Kent Smith in a forward area that gets a bit too forward and cut off from the main allied lines. They're surrounded and Smith is killed.

Deciding that leadership is needed in the area Ford takes off his master sergeant stripes and puts on the late general's stars and pretends to be him. He and Buttons manage to pull it off all the time trying to avoid Private Tige Andrews who has a grudge against Ford.

The action in Imitation General is fast and furious and Ford deadpans his way through another comedy triumph. Though I have to say that it should only have been so easy to take out German tanks as is shown here.

Look for good performances by Dean Jones as a combat fatigue suffering soldier that Ford due to his ersatz rank gets back into shape. Also Kent Smith is very good even though he's killed off in the first twenty minutes. His performance is quite moving and it does explain why he was a beloved figure and why Ford and Buttons are doing the crazy things they are.

Imitation General, a good comedy not to be missed when shown on TCM because it's not out on VHS or DVD.