Despite mid-1960's star power and an Oscar-nominated screenplay, "Captain Newman, M.D." has dated badly. Set in a military "cuckoo's nest" during World War II, the uneven comedy-drama swings from vignettes that depict the effects of combat fatigue to scenes of lame comedy that undercut the intended serious tone. Unfortunately, the dramatic scenes are often as unconvincing as the comedy is flat. Although several supporting performers show off their acting chops in brief hospital scenes, most come off as actors acting. Perhaps the scenes featuring then-recording idol Bobby Darin are most glaring; although Darin snagged a supporting actor Oscar nomination for his performance, his is a showy part that lacks depth, especially in contrast to the restrained performance from Gregory Peck as Captain Newman and a similarly underplayed part played by Angie Dickinson. Peck is particularly good in the lead, and he even survives a clichéd drunken scene with his dignity intact. Among the "cuckoos" in the military psych ward, two seasoned pros do stand out: Eddie Albert and Robert Duvall. Both actors play convincingly without the tempting "hamminess" displayed by many of the others. Tony Curtis also appears as an orderly, but his attempts at comedy are out of place and add little.
Directed by David Miller, the see-saw drama to comedy to drama to comedy induces viewer whiplash and results in an uneven film that plods at times. A Christmas show finale seems like little more than padding and could have been cut to trim the running time. A choir of Italian prisoners of war singing "Hava Naguilla" during the Christmas show is something one of the ward patients could have dreamed up. "Captain Newman, M.D." is not a bad film, just disappointing given the credentials. Perhaps seen in the mid-1960's before films like "MASH" redefined service comedy-dramas, the film would have worked better. Contemporary audiences will likely find it old fashioned, but patient viewers will savor Peck's fine performance and his able support from Dickinson, Albert, and Duvall as well as a plethora of other fine players like Jane Withers, James Gregory, and Dick Sargent.
Directed by David Miller, the see-saw drama to comedy to drama to comedy induces viewer whiplash and results in an uneven film that plods at times. A Christmas show finale seems like little more than padding and could have been cut to trim the running time. A choir of Italian prisoners of war singing "Hava Naguilla" during the Christmas show is something one of the ward patients could have dreamed up. "Captain Newman, M.D." is not a bad film, just disappointing given the credentials. Perhaps seen in the mid-1960's before films like "MASH" redefined service comedy-dramas, the film would have worked better. Contemporary audiences will likely find it old fashioned, but patient viewers will savor Peck's fine performance and his able support from Dickinson, Albert, and Duvall as well as a plethora of other fine players like Jane Withers, James Gregory, and Dick Sargent.