This is Glenn Ford at his best. Serious, humorous and down right hilarious. As a veteran I can see this really happening.
15 Reviews
Seriously, it's really humorous.
Booner4 April 1999
When You Need A Temporary General
bkoganbing4 October 2007
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.
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.
Enjoyable...but don't expect a comedy
planktonrules31 May 2021
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.
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 at their best.
bsnyder-322 February 2001
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.
Nice Cold War escapist film from WW II
SimonJack11 March 2015
The Korean War had been over for five years, and Vietnam was still that many years distant for U.S. combat forces. In 1958, the U.S. and most of the world were in the midst of the Cold War that itself would escalate to near nuclear catastrophe in just a few years. Only a few movies were made in the last half of the decade about WWII after it ended in 1945. Hollywood, Great Britain and other western countries began making more films about WWII in the 1950s. By the late 50s, Hollywood began to make comedy war films. In 1957, "Don't Go Near the Water" was a Navy wartime movie that starred Glenn Ford. In "Imitation General," Ford plays in an Army film as Master Sergeant Murphy Savage.
The small cast are all very good in this pleasant film that has good comedy mixed with some good action. The play and time are France in 1944. Murphy and Corporal Chan Derby, played very well by Red Buttons, are the driver and security for Gen. Charles Lane, played well by Kent Smith. When Lane is killed by German gunfire, Murphy is inadvertently assumed to be a general when a soldier sees him holding the general's steel pot (helmet). One thing leads to another and Murphy assumes the general's ID long enough to pull together some scattered troops in an area who were surrounded by Germans and cut off from their units.
Action and a little mayhem switch back and forth. Murphy's actions and leadership are sure to earn the General high honors and recognition later. The men admired and respected Lane, and Murphy does a credible job as substitute. Oh, yes. The would-be romance piece of plot is included with Taina Elg playing Simone, a young French woman who speaks no English. There is no romance, really, but she helps add some humor to the film.
This isn't a big war production. It has skirmishes with small number of troops. The GIs succeed in a trap and knock out two Panzer tanks. Murphy and Chan take on two more tanks by themselves with helmets filled with mud. You'll have to watch the movie to see how that unfolds. This is an enjoyable and light movie all around. It was a time – spaced between wars – when people could watch a film like this and not think about the German soldiers who were being killed.
The small cast are all very good in this pleasant film that has good comedy mixed with some good action. The play and time are France in 1944. Murphy and Corporal Chan Derby, played very well by Red Buttons, are the driver and security for Gen. Charles Lane, played well by Kent Smith. When Lane is killed by German gunfire, Murphy is inadvertently assumed to be a general when a soldier sees him holding the general's steel pot (helmet). One thing leads to another and Murphy assumes the general's ID long enough to pull together some scattered troops in an area who were surrounded by Germans and cut off from their units.
Action and a little mayhem switch back and forth. Murphy's actions and leadership are sure to earn the General high honors and recognition later. The men admired and respected Lane, and Murphy does a credible job as substitute. Oh, yes. The would-be romance piece of plot is included with Taina Elg playing Simone, a young French woman who speaks no English. There is no romance, really, but she helps add some humor to the film.
This isn't a big war production. It has skirmishes with small number of troops. The GIs succeed in a trap and knock out two Panzer tanks. Murphy and Chan take on two more tanks by themselves with helmets filled with mud. You'll have to watch the movie to see how that unfolds. This is an enjoyable and light movie all around. It was a time – spaced between wars – when people could watch a film like this and not think about the German soldiers who were being killed.
comedy falls flat
SnoopyStyle9 July 2019
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 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.
Good stuff but should have been much better!
JohnHowardReid2 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Photographed in black-and-white CinemaScope. Copyright 1958 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. New York opening at Loew's State: 20 August 1958. U.K. release: 14 September 1958. Australian release: 23 October 1958. Sydney opening at the St James. 88 minutes.
NOTES: This picture certainly had a considerable cult following from 1959 through 1962. It often figures on undergraduate lists of best movies for these years and was a frequent starter at university film society screenings.
COMMENT: Metro here vitiates a very entertaining idea by its own indecision as to whether to go right out for droll laughs, or whether to go for battle-action heroics. The result is a disappointing compromise in which laughs get us too relaxed for many thrills, and "thrills" get us too screwed up for many laughs. Metro has gone all out publicizing the story about a sergeant who, to keep up morale among a few straggling American troops surrounded by Germans, puts on a dead general's uniform and begins masterminding more-or-less comically original counter-blows against the enemy.
Glenn Ford, continuing in the dry, quiet comedy vein that suited him so wonderfully well in his previous two films, has less agreeable material to work with on this occasion, but he invests most of it with his customary pleasantly bumbling fun. His efforts to dodge one pretty nasty G.I. who would know his true identity, and to play-act a plausible top-brass manner for the benefit of officers who think he ranks above them, are developed amusingly — but by no means to their full potential.
Unfortunately, Ford's comedy is inhibited from time to time by the script's demand that he make grave speeches about the great qualities of the dead general whom he supplants. Apparently the M-G- M brass feels that American sergeants could not possibly be more brilliant in generalship than generals generally are. Alas, it is by humorously pushing this squaring-off argument too far that the movie on several occasions fails to move and goes flat and soggy.
Fortunately, Red Buttons shines brightly as a whimsical corporal "in the know", but the lovely Taina Elg seems somewhat colorless as the French girl whose shattered cottage is used as the general's headquarters.
NOTES: This picture certainly had a considerable cult following from 1959 through 1962. It often figures on undergraduate lists of best movies for these years and was a frequent starter at university film society screenings.
COMMENT: Metro here vitiates a very entertaining idea by its own indecision as to whether to go right out for droll laughs, or whether to go for battle-action heroics. The result is a disappointing compromise in which laughs get us too relaxed for many thrills, and "thrills" get us too screwed up for many laughs. Metro has gone all out publicizing the story about a sergeant who, to keep up morale among a few straggling American troops surrounded by Germans, puts on a dead general's uniform and begins masterminding more-or-less comically original counter-blows against the enemy.
Glenn Ford, continuing in the dry, quiet comedy vein that suited him so wonderfully well in his previous two films, has less agreeable material to work with on this occasion, but he invests most of it with his customary pleasantly bumbling fun. His efforts to dodge one pretty nasty G.I. who would know his true identity, and to play-act a plausible top-brass manner for the benefit of officers who think he ranks above them, are developed amusingly — but by no means to their full potential.
Unfortunately, Ford's comedy is inhibited from time to time by the script's demand that he make grave speeches about the great qualities of the dead general whom he supplants. Apparently the M-G- M brass feels that American sergeants could not possibly be more brilliant in generalship than generals generally are. Alas, it is by humorously pushing this squaring-off argument too far that the movie on several occasions fails to move and goes flat and soggy.
Fortunately, Red Buttons shines brightly as a whimsical corporal "in the know", but the lovely Taina Elg seems somewhat colorless as the French girl whose shattered cottage is used as the general's headquarters.
glenn ford in light-ish battle story
ksf-228 June 2022
When the general is knocked off, master sergeant murphy (ford) puts on the general's helmet and takes command. But there are many obstacles... that's an arrestable offense, and one of his old enemies could recognize him at any time. And of course, his old nemesis is trying to steal a girl from him. To top it all off, there are german soldiers all around them. With german tanks coming towards their position. It's fun, in spite of the serious subject; ten years had gone by since the end of ww two, and we're caught up in the light story line as much as the military action going on. Red buttons is here as the sidekick. It's okay, if you overlook a few things. Directed by george marshall, who did some great comedies. Which probably explains why he was chosen to direct this, as it is more of a light comedy than a serious war drama. Even the director and writer have military-ish names: marshall and chamberlain. Entertaining.
One of the BEST war movies ever
jwindwalker2 July 2007
Though I'm not a big fan of war movies I have seen this movie over and over again when I was younger, and was one I searched high and low on Blockbuster and such to see again. Ford and Buttons are marvelous and the movie walks the line between humor and the reality of the horror of war with real class... Would SO love to see it again!!
Ford's character was a n'er do well scammer who had made rank and been busted back more times than he could keep track of when he met an honorable man, a General, who went to the front lines though it was dangerous in hopes of rallying the troops... but was killed before reaching his goal. Inspired Ford decides to take over the mission and poses as the General.
One of the best scenes I remember was the German tank heading towards the village and Ford putting up a sign on the bridge saying that the bridge was mined so that the Germans would take the tanks thru the creek bed and expose their underbelly. But NOT going to tell you what happened.
Ford's character was a n'er do well scammer who had made rank and been busted back more times than he could keep track of when he met an honorable man, a General, who went to the front lines though it was dangerous in hopes of rallying the troops... but was killed before reaching his goal. Inspired Ford decides to take over the mission and poses as the General.
One of the best scenes I remember was the German tank heading towards the village and Ford putting up a sign on the bridge saying that the bridge was mined so that the Germans would take the tanks thru the creek bed and expose their underbelly. But NOT going to tell you what happened.
Because I can't give Glenn Ford one star
lsterk13 July 2019
What a terrible excuse for a movie. No plot or dramatic tension No reason why it had to be a general. For the few extras they bothered to use he could have been a captain. Cute looking Frenchwoman played by a Finnish actress and she fusses around screaming more than speaking.
A Master Seargant in the Army impersonates his fallen General to boost morale with his troops.
tony-35721 June 2000
This is a great 1958 film that is very hard to find! It stars Glenn Ford who plays a Master Sergeant in the army who impersonates his fallen General to boost morale for his troops in France 1944. There is one soldier ,brilliantly played by Tige Andrews, who was once Master Sergeant Hutchmire but now Private Hutchmire "Hutch", who is out to get Murph (Ford), and knows nothing about Murphs charade to be the General. There is great humor and a lot of action. It may be even more enjoyable if you know French because they speak French some of the time when speaking to a beautiful French woman (Taina Elg - who reminds me of a French Helen Hunt) who's house they confiscate as their headquarters. A lot of fun. A true piece of Hollywood masterpiece. There is a plot to kill the Nazi's and a sub plot to not let Fords identity be found out by the only soldier who knows his true identity
Claustrophobia sets in by reel two...
moonspinner5518 September 2006
Frightfully dull, colorless comedy-drama about an Army sergeant in WWII France who hopes to preserve combat morale by impersonating the recently-killed General Officer. One-idea script is shot just like a play, with unimaginative camera set-ups and a stodgy, static direction. In the leading role, Glenn Ford is amiable as always--though, once again, hardly spectacular; supporting work from Dean Jones, Red Buttons and Taina Elg is underwhelming. A thankfully forgotten relic of 1950s cinema, and what exactly possessed these talented actors to take part in such banal material is a question which may never get answered. * from ****
Savage's grunts
tieman6422 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Released at the tail end of the Korean war and based on a novel by William Chamberlain, "The Imitation General" is an early war comedy starring Glenn Ford as Sgt Murphy Savage, a US grunt torn straight out of the pages of early, pulpy war comics. Savage, a maverick with a machine gun, is forced to take drastic action when Brigadier General Charles Lane (Kent Smith) is killed in action. To assure the success of the General's mission, and to sustain morale within the ranks, Sgt. Savage poses as the deceased Lane. Much hilarity ensues.
The film is brisk, funny and well directed, but is mostly interesting for the way it (unintentionally) captures how apt personality cults are at whipping up euphoria and funnelling violence.
7.9/10 – Worth one viewing.
The film is brisk, funny and well directed, but is mostly interesting for the way it (unintentionally) captures how apt personality cults are at whipping up euphoria and funnelling violence.
7.9/10 – Worth one viewing.
Terrific, could have been truly great
shoobe01-11 June 2021
Officially a comedy, but B&W, during actual war so people die left and right, not terrible equipment accuracy (ours and theirs) for a late-50s war movie (not perfect by far though), and most of all... a solid dramatic message under it.
Sacrifice, of not just life but reputation. Doing the right thing, and seriously risking death, where going in - the whole point - is to not get any recognition or reward for it.
Only slightly spoiled by "It's A Comedy!" titles and funny intro music, and very low budget. Not enough soldiers, by far not enough enemy, etc. I think this would work well as a remake to cover those issues and present it again for a new generation since t's been forgotten, so someone get on it.
Sacrifice, of not just life but reputation. Doing the right thing, and seriously risking death, where going in - the whole point - is to not get any recognition or reward for it.
Only slightly spoiled by "It's A Comedy!" titles and funny intro music, and very low budget. Not enough soldiers, by far not enough enemy, etc. I think this would work well as a remake to cover those issues and present it again for a new generation since t's been forgotten, so someone get on it.
WWII in California
emkt_o10 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Assume it may have been shot in Malibu State Park, but wherever, definitely California, not France. While it seems to be the time of the Battle of The Bulge, there's no sign of the Ardennes Forest and none of the soldiers seem to be under any particular duress. They just seem kind of bored, or like the lunch they just ate didn't sit well in their stomachs.
When Dean Jones shows up a Disney vibe kicks in. He's the prime example of a soldier with a clean uniform and no stubble, looking like he has suffered no hardship whatsoever. Yet he's supposed to be wrought with "Battle Fatigue."
Trust those who have already said the "comedy" falls flat. Red Buttons has two modes: Kinda Funny & Not Funny At All. He's fully working the latter mode here. Having to partner in routines with Tige Andrews doesn't help. Tige wasn't known for being a crack-up in the Mod Squad.
Glenn Ford is reliably himself. TCM showed this along with his other military-oriented comedies, Don't Go Near The Water and Advance to the Rear, which are better flicks. Every-time it seems like Glenn and Imitation General are about to take-off he and it fall flat. And before we know it, we have Red Buttons in an apron cooking dinner.
The US Army is supposed to be surrounded by the Germans, but it seems like there's only about a dozen of the Reich's army. But there is quite a bit of killing of Germans, so the violence and the comedy are a mismatch, along with romancing Taina Elg making believe she's French.
When Dean Jones shows up a Disney vibe kicks in. He's the prime example of a soldier with a clean uniform and no stubble, looking like he has suffered no hardship whatsoever. Yet he's supposed to be wrought with "Battle Fatigue."
Trust those who have already said the "comedy" falls flat. Red Buttons has two modes: Kinda Funny & Not Funny At All. He's fully working the latter mode here. Having to partner in routines with Tige Andrews doesn't help. Tige wasn't known for being a crack-up in the Mod Squad.
Glenn Ford is reliably himself. TCM showed this along with his other military-oriented comedies, Don't Go Near The Water and Advance to the Rear, which are better flicks. Every-time it seems like Glenn and Imitation General are about to take-off he and it fall flat. And before we know it, we have Red Buttons in an apron cooking dinner.
The US Army is supposed to be surrounded by the Germans, but it seems like there's only about a dozen of the Reich's army. But there is quite a bit of killing of Germans, so the violence and the comedy are a mismatch, along with romancing Taina Elg making believe she's French.
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