In his autobiography, Cagney by Cagney (Doubleday page 134), Cagney wrote that he found this scene so funny when he first read the script that he knew it would be even funnier when trying to film it and doubted he would get through it without ‘corpsing’ he and Jack got together and rehearsed it again and again and again and repeating the lines until neither found it funny anymore just so they could get through the scene without laughing., but when it did come time to film, they still barely made it through without laughing. Another funny story about Jack Lemmon and James Cagney was that before filming started on Mr Roberts, Cagney had seen Lemmon in a TV show or film, where Jack, (despite being right handed), decided to spice up his performance by signing something with his left hand to give the impression that his character was left handed, which Cagney thought quite interesting. When they first met, Cagney’s first words to Lemmon were “Hiya kid, are you still pretending to be left handed?”
From what I read Cagney was doing all he could to hold it together when Lemmon said "14 months" lol He came so close to busting out laughing. I wouldn't be able to hold it together myself. Fantastic actors and acting. There's nothing like these guys today.
Apparently, they both couldn't stop laughing. With their height difference, Cagney would look at Lemmon's adam's apple and Lemmon would look at the brim of Cagney's hat to keep from looking each other in the eye.
This was one of my favorite movies. I loved Henry fonda and jack Lemmon. James Cagney was amazing in this and what an amazing dancer. Miss all of them.
Stanley Kubrick, Marlon Brando, and Orson Welles all declared James Cagney one of the greatest actors of all time, and it's not hard to see why. What a magnificent actor.
Lemmon talks about this scene on the DVD commentary. The day before they finished, and Cagney and Lemmon were both told they wouldn't been needed the next day. Cagney then invited Lemmon to his dressing room afterwards for a drink. Instead, Cagney told Lemmon that he knew Ford was going to pull something, and this was it. They would relax and have a few drinks and plan on sleeping in. Then they'd both get called to the set at 6 am, tired and hungover, and have to do a scene--THIS scene, their biggest one together. So they had one drink and then rehearsed most of the night, word by word, getting the timing down cold. Then got some sleep, and sure enough the 6 am call came. I don't know if Fonda guessed what happened, but he'd worked with Ford before, so maybe he did, and maybe that's why he smiled. As for Cagney, he may have been smiling at Lemmon, or at what they'd just put over on Ford, or both.
Sadly, Henry Fonda and John Ford had a bad falling out during the filming of this movie and their friendship came to an end afterward. The flip side is that Jack Lemmon and James Cagney became friends during this time. Lemmon even recounted Cagney giving Jack his famous approach to acting. "Plant your feet, look the other guy in the eyes, and tell the truth."
This was generational movie. Different stars at different stages of their career. William Powell last movie in supporting role. Jack Lemmon just starting his illustrative career. Henry Fonda a veteran in a star vehicle . James Cagney a veteran from the early talking days near the end of his career. Ten years later when i saw this movie on television it was pushed as a Jack Lemmon vehicle with others.
I crack up when Jack Lemmon cheerfully slides down the rails and and upon coming face-to-face with Jimmy Cagney, he runs right back up the steps like a scared rabbit.
Jack Lemmon was perfect in this kind of role. I didn't quite buy him as the leading man in any of his movies but he could play the nervous, slightly neurotic role like no one's business.
His leading men were usually disillusioned personal/professional failures (The Odd Couple, Save The Tiger, The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, Tribute), or reluctant Crusaders (The China Syndrome, Missing). Only once did he play a hero role (Airport '77), and he gave it nuance you don't ordinarily see in a spectacle-type film.
@isaacgrazian1069 The interesting thing is that Jack Lemmon, Lee Remmick and Blake Edwards were alcoholics in real life. Shortly after making "Days Of Wine And Roses," Blake Edwards realized that he was an alcoholic. Jack Lemmon, some years later, realized he was an alcoholic. He went public on a talk show and said "I'm an alcoholic."
I read that Cagney asked Lemmon to rehearse the scene a bunch cause he kept laughing. They did but Cagney STILL could barely keep it together. Fonda is noticeably about to crack during the marbles scene.
"How long have you been aboard, Pulver?" (nervous pause) "14 months, sir..." "14 MONTHS!... spend most of you time down in the laundry, do you?" gets me every time.
Both Fonda and Lemmon served in the Navy during WWII Cagney age 42 at the time America entered the war was considered too old for military service. Fonda received a Unit citation and a Bronze Star
@@edfrawley4356 Ed, pay attention, Moriah asked if he served in WW One not Two. He possibly could have with his parents permission, or lying about his age.
I remember my Director was waiting for a salesman along with the rest management team. The salesman was delayed by a snowstorm. So the Director was telling sea stories. He said my name and said I wonder what that big guy is doing? He was kind of funny. The managers looked at him confused. They said he been working offsite for the last 40 months Sir? The Director was astonished and said Really??? He still works here! It was the best day of my employment!
Years ago I read in James Cagney's (my favorite actor) autobiography about this scene. He said they had to do a number of takes because every time "Pulver" said he had been aboard *_14_* months he said he just broke up.
@snipe69 A captain might not know every enlisted man, but in a crew that size, to not even know an officer was on board? That captain would have to be the king of incompetence...which this little tyrant does seem to be, but even then it's far fetched. Never heard of this movie before, then all of a sudden it pops up in my recommend queue. All hail the algorithm.
Can you imagine if this happened in real life you work aboard a Navy ship you stay in your quarters all the time and you're commanding officer does not even know that you serve aboard the ship and you're getting a paycheck from the US government now that's a job
Fans often bemoan Fonda not getting nominated for Mr. Roberts. I think Jimmy Cagney was even more deserving of a Supporting Actor nomination for his unbalanced Captain. Infused with the Cagney spirit, the ultimate movie thug whose very presence is intimidating, crazy enough that we know he's crazy, but in such an irrelevant posting the Navy wouldn't even bother to Section 8 him. The movie doesn't work unless we believe his character.
I've read that there was some tension between the academy and Fonda, he hadn't been on screen in 8 years and had hinted he didn't care if he ever was again, doing nothing but stage performances the entire time. For what it's worth, I believe he did win a Tony for his Broadway performance in the role.
What a disrespectful officer. He nearly crashes into his Captain and doesn't even have the bearing to stand at attention. No wonder Good Captain Morton had to be ruthless with these sailors.
Oh, that wasn't very long ago, was it? I was born in 1955. I believe it was revived, a little. "Mister Roberts" was the 1st movie I saw at a drive-in, but its too hard to remember.
And? As a civilian I really can't militarily dissect a movie. It was funny and I loved everyone's performance. But Cagney should have won best actor for Love Me or Leave Me that year...a forever Cagney fan!
I was just thinking the same thing. Funny that I never noticed the silver bars until today and Cagney's brown shoes the time prior. The bar were probably just the sunlight and fading of the film. For all those who don't know that the heck we're talking about, an Ensign like Pulver (like a 2nd Lt. in the Army) would be wearing gold bars. Silver bars for for the next rank up, Lt.(JG) or in the Army, a 1st Lt. Were is gets a little tricky is that a Navy full lieutenant is the same as an Army captain and a navy captain the equivalent of a US Army full Colonel. As for the shoes, brown shoes were for aviators, and the rest of the navy, including auxiliaries like ship wore black shoes. In fact they were referred to as "the black shoe navy" or non-aviators. Perhaps someone on the site can tell us if this was more 'tradition' or a strict uniform code? I always assumed that it was not a requirement.
The director, John Ford, punched him. They were good friends and worked on lots of movies together. Ford was having personal problems and was an alcoholic. He ended up having to leave the movie and they were no longer friends.
EDWIN, Earlier when I commented on Jack Lemmon I saw Jack Nicholson in My Mind( which is going🥹) so I guess I need To apologize for the Mistake on Your Post .. I’m sorry. Will we See You at 11:15? .. Will watch for You Sir🙏🏻♥️
One of the most believable and honest military movies ever made. They also serve who only stand and starch.
In his autobiography, Cagney by Cagney (Doubleday page 134), Cagney wrote that he found this scene so funny when he first read the script that he knew it would be even funnier when trying to film it and doubted he would get through it without ‘corpsing’ he and Jack got together and rehearsed it again and again and again and repeating the lines until neither found it funny anymore just so they could get through the scene without laughing., but when it did come time to film, they still barely made it through without laughing.
Another funny story about Jack Lemmon and James Cagney was that before filming started on Mr Roberts, Cagney had seen Lemmon in a TV show or film, where Jack, (despite being right handed), decided to spice up his performance by signing something with his left hand to give the impression that his character was left handed, which Cagney thought quite interesting. When they first met, Cagney’s first words to Lemmon were “Hiya kid, are you still pretending to be left handed?”
From what I read Cagney was doing all he could to hold it together when Lemmon said "14 months" lol He came so close to busting out laughing. I wouldn't be able to hold it together myself. Fantastic actors and acting. There's nothing like these guys today.
Apparently, they both couldn't stop laughing. With their height difference, Cagney would look at Lemmon's adam's apple and Lemmon would look at the brim of Cagney's hat to keep from looking each other in the eye.
Cagney never gave a bad performance and he is pitch perfect here! And Jack Lemmon definitely deserved that Oscar win!
I heartily concur ! Both actors at the top of their game !
This was one of my favorite movies. I loved Henry fonda and jack Lemmon. James Cagney was amazing in this and what an amazing dancer. Miss all of them.
This movie is a “10”!!
Don’t recall Cagney dancing in this one....
Stanley Kubrick, Marlon Brando, and Orson Welles all declared James Cagney one of the greatest actors of all time, and it's not hard to see why. What a magnificent actor.
"Fourteen months?" 😂❤️
That has to be the best line in the movie.😆😆
Lemmon talks about this scene on the DVD commentary. The day before they finished, and Cagney and Lemmon were both told they wouldn't been needed the next day. Cagney then invited Lemmon to his dressing room afterwards for a drink. Instead, Cagney told Lemmon that he knew Ford was going to pull something, and this was it. They would relax and have a few drinks and plan on sleeping in. Then they'd both get called to the set at 6 am, tired and hungover, and have to do a scene--THIS scene, their biggest one together. So they had one drink and then rehearsed most of the night, word by word, getting the timing down cold. Then got some sleep, and sure enough the 6 am call came.
I don't know if Fonda guessed what happened, but he'd worked with Ford before, so maybe he did, and maybe that's why he smiled. As for Cagney, he may have been smiling at Lemmon, or at what they'd just put over on Ford, or both.
Yeah I've heard some of the Ford stories, not this one but enough to not be surprised by it.
lemmon and cagney became close friends after this movie
Sadly, Henry Fonda and John Ford had a bad falling out during the filming of this movie and their friendship came to an end afterward. The flip side is that Jack Lemmon and James Cagney became friends during this time. Lemmon even recounted Cagney giving Jack his famous approach to acting.
"Plant your feet, look the other guy in the eyes, and tell the truth."
James Cagney is brilliant.
One of a kind in a class by himself definitely
I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion !!
This was generational movie. Different stars at different stages of their career. William Powell last movie in supporting role. Jack Lemmon just starting his illustrative career. Henry Fonda a veteran in a star vehicle . James Cagney a veteran from the early talking days near the end of his career. Ten years later when i saw this movie on television it was pushed as a Jack Lemmon vehicle with others.
Agreed.
This is an amazing illustration of that.
And their respective brilliance.
Awesome movie then and now ......we will never see something like this ever again.
It's no "Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla" (1952) but this is indeed one fine film !!
I crack up when Jack Lemmon cheerfully slides down the rails and and upon coming face-to-face with Jimmy Cagney, he runs right back up the steps like a scared rabbit.
My father's favorite book and movie. He loved Jimmy Cagney too.
Jack Lemmon was perfect in this kind of role. I didn't quite buy him as the leading man in any of his movies but he could play the nervous, slightly neurotic role like no one's business.
I thought so to until "Days of Wine and Roses". He and Lee Redick were spectacular in this very searing drama.
Lee Remick.
The Apartment, custom made for Lemmon
His leading men were usually disillusioned personal/professional failures
(The Odd Couple, Save The Tiger, The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, Tribute),
or reluctant Crusaders (The China Syndrome, Missing).
Only once did he play a hero role (Airport '77),
and he gave it nuance you don't ordinarily see in a spectacle-type film.
@isaacgrazian1069 The interesting thing is that Jack Lemmon, Lee Remmick and Blake Edwards were alcoholics in real life. Shortly after making "Days Of Wine And Roses," Blake Edwards realized that he was an alcoholic. Jack Lemmon, some years later, realized he was an alcoholic. He went public on a talk show and said "I'm an alcoholic."
Poor Cagney, the second time Pulver salutes him he's doing all he can, trying NOT to laugh.
I read that Cagney asked Lemmon to rehearse the scene a bunch cause he kept laughing. They did but Cagney STILL could barely keep it together. Fonda is noticeably about to crack during the marbles scene.
I love how he proudly says he the Officer for laundry and moral, the biggest BS position on the boat.
The best of the best actors ever
"Who's that? Who's that officer? You boy!" LOL
"How long have you been aboard, Pulver?"
(nervous pause)
"14 months, sir..."
"14 MONTHS!... spend most of you time down in the laundry, do you?"
gets me every time.
all four were best of the best. Cagney, Fonda, Powell and Lemmon. the restored blu-ray was just released.
Quite possibly the best movie ever!
It's no "The Ghost and Mr Chicken" (1966) but it is indeed an xlnt film.
My favorite scene from this 50s' classic !!
Both Fonda and Lemmon served in the Navy during WWII Cagney age 42 at the time America entered the war was considered too old for military service. Fonda received a Unit citation and a Bronze Star
Jack Lemon and James Cagney became lifelong friends after working together in this movie.
Cagney was 56 born in 1899. Did he serve in WWI?
@@moriahjacobs6131 No he was 42 when war broke out and considered too old
@@edfrawley4356 Ed, pay attention, Moriah asked if he served in WW One not Two. He possibly could have with his parents permission, or lying about his age.
That ship has maybe 20 crew and he doesn’t know his own crew......
Did you go to High School in San Diego?
Lemmon was hide and seek champ of his neighborhood
That is a really small ship. Hard to miss anyone.
Just gotta know where to hide
@@rolltidelbc2832 Bama fan?
Unless you hide in the laundry, apparently.
Therein lies the joke.
If I could be with you.... I'm Telling you True I'd be anything But Blue... If I could be with you.... loved this Movie growing up.
my 3 favorite actors of all time in one scene together xoxo
This ship in this scene right here was an actual Navy cargo ship served in combat supply cargo in the Pacific During world War II Now I own the ship
What are you doing with it?
@@Tamburello_1994 He keeps it “lying” around.
@@bobbylee2853 👈🤣
Of course you do.
Goes sailing
Three of the greatest...
I remember my Director was waiting for a salesman along with the rest management team. The salesman was delayed by a snowstorm. So the Director was telling sea stories. He said my name and said I wonder what that big guy is doing? He was kind of funny. The managers looked at him confused. They said he been working offsite for the last 40 months Sir? The Director was astonished and said Really??? He still works here! It was the best day of my employment!
Jack Lemmon was hilarious in this movie.
He really was, and so was Cagney. I wonder how many takes this scene was. How long have you been aboard Pulver? ....14 months LOL
Unfortunately, that's me and the district supervisor.
That's Professor Fate!
Years ago I read in James Cagney's (my favorite actor) autobiography about this scene. He said they had to do a number of takes because every time "Pulver" said he had been aboard *_14_* months he said he just broke up.
14 months and the Captain never saw him lol.
Sounds like some politicians in DC
It also shows how dangerously detached the captain was from the day today running of his ship
@snipe69 Pulver's also not enlisted. He's a commissioned officer.
@snipe69 A captain might not know every enlisted man, but in a crew that size, to not even know an officer was on board? That captain would have to be the king of incompetence...which this little tyrant does seem to be, but even then it's far fetched.
Never heard of this movie before, then all of a sudden it pops up in my recommend queue. All hail the algorithm.
He was busy in the laundry...
That was as one of the greatest movies ever made
You boy, ... omg
So good. Cagney, Lemmon
How can a commanding officer not know one of his officers?
Love this movie
Whose that officer? You boy, come here.
Ha ha ha ha
Best movie ever.
my dad had a commandwer like this on uss salem as assistant navigator
Epic, the cowardice of a Man in front of a tyrant.
Great Movie
Can you imagine if this happened in real life you work aboard a Navy ship you stay in your quarters all the time and you're commanding officer does not even know that you serve aboard the ship and you're getting a paycheck from the US government now that's a job
🤣🤣🤣 three brilliant men
Fans often bemoan Fonda not getting nominated for Mr. Roberts.
I think Jimmy Cagney was even more deserving
of a Supporting Actor nomination for his unbalanced Captain.
Infused with the Cagney spirit,
the ultimate movie thug whose very presence is intimidating,
crazy enough that we know he's crazy,
but in such an irrelevant posting the Navy wouldn't even bother to Section 8 him.
The movie doesn't work unless we believe his character.
I've read that there was some tension between the academy and Fonda, he hadn't been on screen in 8 years and had hinted he didn't care if he ever was again, doing nothing but stage performances the entire time. For what it's worth, I believe he did win a Tony for his Broadway performance in the role.
What a disrespectful officer. He nearly crashes into his Captain and doesn't even have the bearing to stand at attention. No wonder Good Captain Morton had to be ruthless with these sailors.
You know that it's a movie, right?
He was really in the navy , but here he's acting
14 months! LOL
Guys this is 60 years old amn
Oh, that wasn't very long ago, was it? I was born in 1955. I believe it was revived, a little. "Mister Roberts" was the 1st movie I saw at a drive-in, but its too hard to remember.
@@bobbyfrancis8957 ohhhhhhhhh srry
Happy 65th Anniversary!
ياخي عندك 11 مليون سبع لايكات و3 تعليقات وربي عيب عليك
May be the light but it looks like Lemmon is wearing silver bars. And Cagney has on brown shoes.
And? As a civilian I really can't militarily dissect a movie. It was funny and I loved everyone's performance. But Cagney should have won best actor for Love Me or Leave Me that year...a forever Cagney fan!
I was just thinking the same thing. Funny that I never noticed the silver bars until today and Cagney's brown shoes the time prior. The bar were probably just the sunlight and fading of the film.
For all those who don't know that the heck we're talking about, an Ensign like Pulver (like a 2nd Lt. in the Army) would be wearing gold bars. Silver bars for for the next rank up, Lt.(JG) or in the Army, a 1st Lt. Were is gets a little tricky is that a Navy full lieutenant is the same as an Army captain and a navy captain the equivalent of a US Army full Colonel.
As for the shoes, brown shoes were for aviators, and the rest of the navy, including auxiliaries like ship wore black shoes. In fact they were referred to as "the black shoe navy" or non-aviators.
Perhaps someone on the site can tell us if this was more 'tradition' or a strict uniform code? I always assumed that it was not a requirement.
Lemmon looks like a bit like Jim Carrey at this angle.
ahahahahaha
Mannn this is Ollie’s man
Like on an white shirt such as an office worker once wore.
The producer punched Fonda
The director, John Ford, punched him. They were good friends and worked on lots of movies together. Ford was having personal problems and was an alcoholic. He ended up having to leave the movie and they were no longer friends.
EDWIN, Earlier when I commented on Jack Lemmon I saw Jack Nicholson in My Mind( which is going🥹) so I guess I need To apologize for the Mistake on Your Post .. I’m sorry. Will we See You at 11:15? .. Will watch for You Sir🙏🏻♥️