This is an amazingly odd film--one very few people would expect to have been directed by and co-starring Jack Webb. Yes, it's THE Jack Webb--you know, Sgt. Joe Friday from DRAGNET. Here, his character is a lot less stiff and formal. In fact, the soldier he plays is a friend to one of the laziest and least patriotic soldiers in WWII--the title character ("Archie") played by Robert Mitchum. The film seems to have been a comedy about Archie's experiences in the Army Air Corps and his many slick ways he went about shirking.
The problem with this film is three-fold. First, the whole idea of a person serving in this war who was totally selfish and a user isn't exactly something most people want to see. You just can't connect with or care about Mitchum at all in the film. In fact, you may find yourself wanting to bust his character in the mouth! Second, if you are waiting for Archie to get his comeuppance, then you may as well stop waiting. Like real life, Archie is a bull-crap shoveler and this seems to result in him consistently being rewarded. Again, few people will want to be reminded of this. Third, while I like much of what Jack Webb did, his forte was certainly NOT comedy. In fact, when I think of Webb I just can't imagine his making a comedy--and evidently, after seeing this film, neither could the American public.
Overall, the movie isn't terribly funny but at least it's different enough that it might hold your attention until the end. But it's only a time-passer--something you wouldn't expect with the cast assembled for this film.
The problem with this film is three-fold. First, the whole idea of a person serving in this war who was totally selfish and a user isn't exactly something most people want to see. You just can't connect with or care about Mitchum at all in the film. In fact, you may find yourself wanting to bust his character in the mouth! Second, if you are waiting for Archie to get his comeuppance, then you may as well stop waiting. Like real life, Archie is a bull-crap shoveler and this seems to result in him consistently being rewarded. Again, few people will want to be reminded of this. Third, while I like much of what Jack Webb did, his forte was certainly NOT comedy. In fact, when I think of Webb I just can't imagine his making a comedy--and evidently, after seeing this film, neither could the American public.
Overall, the movie isn't terribly funny but at least it's different enough that it might hold your attention until the end. But it's only a time-passer--something you wouldn't expect with the cast assembled for this film.