Advance to the Rear

I have just finished reading Jack Schaefer's book, "Company of Cowards", and by coincidence, I watched this film on TCM this morning. I have to say that, apart from the names of some of the characters, this film bears very little resemblance to the book. For example, in the film, the character of Hugo Zattig, is a villainous and duplicitous, Confederate officer, played by James Griffith. In the book, the character is one of the "Company of Cowards", whose honour is redeemed at the end of the book.

Technically, the book was a historical novel, centred around the fictional character of Jared Heath, himself a disgraced Union officer, busted to sergeant, who was detailed to take charge of a company of other disgraced officers who had also been demoted for crimes such as desertion, disobedience, brawling and other such offences that are not tolerated in any Army, past or present. The end of the novel describes how Jared Heath and his "Company of Cowards" manage to redeem themselves during a heroic battle against Comanche and the Kiowa Indians, with a few of them giving their own lives in the heat of battle.

I should imagine that the producers and MGM had a lot of debate about how this film should be made. Was it to be a film about the true horrors of war and how disgraced soldiers were treated by the other troopers, as depicted in the novel? No, it was to be made as a knockabout comedy, directed by George Marshall, who had already directed James Stewart in "Destry Rides Again" and Glen Ford in a few other films, such as another comedy western, "The Sheepman".

A question had already asked as to whether the television comedy series, "F Troop" was loosely based on this film. Well, as the series was released on ABC a year later, it is probably more than a coincidence that the producers of the series did take some inspiration from this film. Ken Berry would have been a more naïve version of the Glen Ford character.

Jack Schaefer's novel was a very serious study on how the American Civil War was fought, which went on to describe the horror of fighting in the Indians Wars, when many hostile Indian tribes took advantage of the fact that the "white men" were distracted with fighting each other.

There were also some political comments about why the Union government kept changing its mind as to the reason for the war, starting out with political wrangles about why the Federal Government should have control over the distant Southern States; with the economic disparity between the Southern States and the Northern States; the need to keep the Union together; and, finally, the Abolition of Slavery.

Jack Schaefer wrote "Shane", one of the greatest and most realistic westerns ever written and filmed - I wonder what he thought of how his original novel was brought to the screen.

I will give the film 8 out of 10 for the lively performances of Glen Ford and the lovely Stella Stevens.

Advance to the Rear (1964) I love quirky romantic comedies, westerns (some with humor when it works), and fun action-adventure, but I can't stand anything about the Civil War. I DVR'd (if that's not a word, I'm making it one) this movie for two reasons. 1.) I have a newfound crush on Glenn Ford after seeing him in Dear Heart. 2.) A poster on the Dear Heart board said a good Glenn Ford comedy was coming on TCM this spring. So, when I saw this film was a Glenn Ford comedy, I just naturally assumed I'd stumbled across her recommendation and DVR'd it. All things happen for a reason. I was meant to discover a quirky romantic comedy action adventure western war movie all in one. That doesn't happen often. I'm not sure it can happen again.

Regardless, I was sort of ho-hum about the Civil War part, but I thought I'd cheer up my poor husband who was sick with food poisoning (duck from a nice restaurant, not my cooking). I was already pretty interested after Robert Osborne's introduction before the first scene played. The setup before the credits was a good teaser, and by the time the credits rolled I was hopeful. I knew I was hooked the minute Glenn Ford was taunting the rebs with talk of fried chicken. Then I was absolutely rolling when Ford and Douglas had their first scene and the first of many disagreements. They played off of each other so well. Douglas had his leading man days in his younger years, but some of my favorite roles are supporting ones. He sparred superbly with Cary Grant in Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.

By now I'd made up my mind that this was in no way going to be a dreary Civil War film. The next test was Stella Stevens. I saw her in a cute Dean Martin film and was just so thankful she didn't have on a buxom bikini and a Swedish accent and ended up liking the movie. To my delight, she's a beautiful rebel spy that appears to still have her virtue. That's hard to find in movies now, but it really makes for a clean, fun classic film which is what I enjoy the most. Through a series of preposterous events, Ford becomes involved with Stevens and their chemistry was just perfect and their banter adorable.

The supporting cast included Joan Blondell, Alan Hale (Jr.), Jim Backus, and a lot of other familiar faces from my days of watching great TV and movies on rainy days long ago. The stunts were very creative, the horse scenes were humorous, the crazy Company Q was comprised of the most perfectly matched bunch of misfits. The only one remotely sane was Ford, the suave and charming straight man. Finally, the film actually had a plausible plot that ended up making sense and everyone happy. Other than a few over the top slapstick scenes, I enjoyed this silly treasure. It even got a few chuckles out of my sick husband before he fell back asleep.

What a great Sunday afternoon treat and one I'll want to see again! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fun classic but totally unique quirky romantic comedy action adventure western war movies all in one.

This is one heckuva fun film. Although a pretty descriptive writeup has already been given, I gotta tip the proverbial hat to what seems to be the inspiration for the F-TROOP television series that debuted the following year. And, the use of balladeers, THE NEW CHRISTY MINSTRELS, to help set scenes for the film hearkens unto many a great "tried and true" stories of the period...including the legendary CAT BALLOU with Stubby Kaye & Nat King Cole as the Balladeers in question.

I am going to have to track this down and plant it near THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL (another good comedy set in the same time period) on my viewing shelf.

As others are who have studied the long and estimable body of his work, I am a great admirer of George Marshall. The versatile director had an ability to tell a story with a camera that was legendary; in "Advance to the Rear" he found, I suggest, one of his richest hoards of cinematic possibilities. The story-line of this rare historical comedy takes the viewer back to the final days of the Civil War is winding to an inevitable close; so the commander of one contingent of union soldiers has made a separate truce with his Confederate counterpart. At a prearranged time, a single cannon round, fired to miss, is set off by each side. And that is their daily war. Period. This life-preserving but odd arrangement works quite well, until a youthful officer, recently posted to the "Company of Cowards", the name in the original novel from which the narrative was extracted, sallies forth and captures some of "the Rebs". This precipitate action of course obliges their equally reluctant "enemies" to do something else, that starts to look like an act of war. "What have you done?" the union Colonel bellows at him, "Take them back! How many times have I instructed you not to show initiative?" The company depicted obviously bears a striking resemblance to "F Troop"; this film was undoubtedly the model for that enjoyable TV series.. After a major mess ensues, the group are dispatched to the West where it is hoped they cannot do too much damage to the Union cause. And then the viewer learns these misfits will have to protect a large gold shipment that Confederate guerrillas will really be trying to make away with.. The young officer has another thorn in his side; the complication is that he has fallen head-over-heels for a gung-ho and gorgeous female Confederate spy. What happens next has to be seen to be howled at. The actors in this colorful comedy-and adventure and romance are under-appreciated Glenn Ford, the ultra-skilled award-level Melvyn Douglas as the Union colonel in question, Stella Stevens as the well-constructed spy, and a large number of very good supporting actors including Jim Backus, Joan Blondell, Whit Bissell, Andrew Prine, Jesse Pearson, Michael Pate, Alan Hale, Jr., James Griffith, and many more in smaller roles. The writers credited with this hilarious screenplay, probably also an inspiration for "Hogan's Heroes" included veteran screenwriter William Bowers, Robert Carson, Samuel A. Peeples and Jack Schaefer. The music was provided by Randy Sparks, the vivid cinematography by the talented Milton Krasner. The very fine art direction was done by George W. Davis and George Imazu, with set decoration by Budd Friend and tasteful Henry Grace, with costumes by Walter Plunkett, makeup by the legendary William Tuttle and hairstyles by Sydney Guilaroff. This is a film which has everything I suggest that a comedy could ask for--a strong central character, a clear set of goals, well- developed characters, humor born out of situation, character and reaction, and a first-rate production in the hands of a director who gives every moment its due but never slows down the pace. Please watch this feature the next time it is presented; I believe you will appreciate its classic comedy mood as much as I do. I suggest it is a one-of-kind comedy although very often imitated.

It is impossible to see this film and not find it intelligently hilarious. You will laugh your way through it and never once feel your time has been wasted. The premise is simple and, in an odd way, that may in fact be it's strength.

During the last days of the Civil War, a contingent of Union soldiers, have made an uneasy accommodation with their Confederate counterparts stationed a few miles away. Every day at a certain time, each side fires a round of cannon fire at the other, timed to a deliberate miss. The aim of both sides is to, hopefully, last out the war in this manner: reasonably safe and secure.

This arrangement works quite well, until a brash headstrong Union Captain (played well by Glenn Ford)decides,on his own, to go out and capture a few of the "enemy". This of course forces their equally reluctant "enemy" to retaliate.

Ford's Commander,(played with exquisite timing by veteran actor Melvyn Douglas) is horrified. "What have you done?" he shouts at him, "take them back! How many times have I instructed you not to show initiative?" From this point on, the humor escalates and never ceases.

Staffed by some of the most recognized character actors of the time, we are treated to a highly skilled portrayal of an incredibly believable assortment of military misfits. What makes them believable is that their characterizations are delivered with depth. And this, in a sense, makes them somewhat realistic and all the more funnier.

This high caliber B-film is well scripted and, to it's credit, is finally being recognized for the cinematic gem that it is. My advice to all film lovers is to seek out this almost forgotten treasure. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.