Imitation General

Imitation General is an absolutely hilarious tale set during World War II. Glenn Ford's portrayal as a Army sergeant who impersonates an officer is well worth seeing. Supporting roles played by Red Buttons, Dean Jones and Tige Andrews add to the mayhem. This is classic comedy from the late 1950's and should be released to video for the next generation to enjoy.

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

It's France 1944. Brigadier General Charles Lane, Master Sergeant Murphy Savage (Glenn Ford), and Corporal Chan Derby (Red Buttons) drive up to a group of dis-spirited men. They have been cut off by the German advance. The General orders the men to organize and attempts to set up his headquarter in a bombed out farmhouse. Savage finds Frenchwoman Simone taking a bath. The General is killed. Corporal Terry Sellers suffering from battle fatigue arrives looking to go to the hospital. He mistakes Savage for the general and is convinced to re-enter the fight. Savage decides to impersonate the General to keep up morale and command the defense.

I like the concept and its inherent conflict. Ford and Buttons are fine. I like this except for Hutchmeyer. The movie leaves the past a bit too murky. He should simply be a hard nose sergeant and they fear being outed by him. All the comedy with Hutchmeyer falls flat. The suggestion of something truly dark saps away the lightness of the comedy. It gets rather tiresome. The fight against the Germans is the compelling part. The comedy doesn't really work.

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.

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.