Tempi brutti per i sergenti

Will Stockdale (Andy Griffith) is a well-intentioned, but not too bright, young Georgia man drafted into the Air Force. Despite all his good intentions, Will is too dumb to realize that his efforts to do good and make nice result in disaster, especially for nerdish new associate Ben Whitledge (Nick Adams) and their harried sergeant Orville C. King (Myron McCormick). King does everything in his power to get this amiable nuisance out of his life.

Beginning as a novel by Mac Hyman, this was then turned into a hit Broadway play by writer Ira Levin (of later "Rosemary's Baby" fame). John Lee Mahin scripted this feature film version, which has many bright moments, and a respectable amount of laughs, but which also goes on long enough that it does lose some momentum.

Still, the cast certainly can't be faulted. Griffith and McCormick had originated their parts on stage, and are both superb. Griffith is so danged clueless but also so danged engaging that you can't hate him at all. (You'd sure hate to have to deal with him, though.) Another veteran of the stage version was Don Knotts, here making his feature debut, in the role of a frazzled "manual dexterity tester". Griffith and Knotts became lifelong friends, and when it came time to cast Barney Fyfe for Griffiths' later legendary TV series, it was his old pal Knotts he thought of first. Adams is just perfect as the neurotic, high-strung Whitledge who, more than anything, wants to serve in the infantry like other family members had before him. Other familiar faces lend their valuable assistance, too: future "Jaws" mayor Murray Hamilton as the scheming bruiser Irving, and Howard Smith, Will Hutchins, Sydney Smith, James Millhollin, Jean Willes, Dub Taylor, and Raymond Bailey. And recognize the co-pilot on the plane in the last half hour? Indeed, it's Jamie Farr from the "MASH" TV series.

Directed efficiently by Mervyn LeRoy, "No Time for Sergeants" does have some great scenes and gags, such as the bar scene, or the part where the toilet lids flip up in unison to salute the base Captain (Bartlett Robinson). Griffiths' agreeable stupidity and eager-to-please nature is the glue that holds it all together.

Seven out of 10.

... plus it is fun too! This is really worth watching for two reasons. It is obviously a blueprint for the popular spin-off TV show "Gomer Pyle USMC" starring Jim Nabors in the part played here by Andy Griffith, and it is interesting to make comparisons between the two. Secondly, it really is part of a tribute to the great yet unappreciated range Andy Griffith had as an actor. Here he plays the yokel as well-meaning good guy, anxious to serve his country but just too friendly and green to fully comprehend the discipline he is under in training camp. He thinks it is an honor when the sergeant gives him latrine duty, and his version of the 21-gun salute when the latrine is inspected is truly hilarious. Watch this and then watch him play the yokel as bad guy in "A Face in the Crowd".

Like most everyone on here, I sort of fell into this movie one late night and almost decided to turn it off but after 10 minutes I was hooked! It truly is one of the funniest movies you will ever see.

No rude or insensitive remarks, no cursing..just some of the finest acting and gags ever and that includes Marx Brothers movies. This one is a keeper. You will laugh your booty off when Andy Griffith gets into his hillbilly routine. I had no idea that Andy Taylor of Mayberry was this funny! This movie and "Some Like It Hot" are 2 of the best comedies Hollywood ever produced and not one cuss word or nude scene!!!! See it if you ever get the chance!

This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Andy is priceless in the lead role. Being from the south, I appreciate his authentic accent. Nick Adams was surprisingly good as Ben and Murray Hamilton was a wonderfully obnoxious Irvin.

this is one funny movie...the only time it really slows down is when will and ben are shot down and are discovered alive at the air base. but when will is trying to become classified, there is one good gag after another...like when ben is trying to make sure the major is spelling his name correctly...or when irving and the sarge are trying to get will drunk at the bar and when will is leaving the mp's come rushing in and will says, "there's a couple thirsty fellas". or like the other poster said about getting the latrine clean enough to cut out the general's heart. or when ben thinks he's about to be shot for leaving his post by jumping from a disable airplane. the fun thing is..even though will isn't very bright...he does have a wisdom about him...understanding situations that others miss...one very good movie...