The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960) User Reviews

Landing Chips Rafferty

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 11 November 2005]

As military service comedies go, The Wackiest Ship in the Army isn't the best one going, but it is pretty amusing.

Jack Lemmon plays a naval lieutenant who in civilian life had sailboat racing experience. Therefore he's just the man to command a sailing craft made up to look like a native trading vessel. The object being to land Australian coast watcher Chips Rafferty in the middle of Japanese held territory.

Lemmon has a callow young ensign as his executive officer in Ricky Nelson and a crew of men, none of whom have any kind of experience in a sailing craft. The laughs come as he tries to whip this crew into some kind of shape before the mission.

Jack Lemmon had just come off Some Like It Hot and The Apartment so he was hot box office back then. The Wackiest Ship in the Army isn't in the aforementioned league of films, but it's still good and unlike the other classics was turned into a television series, albeit a short lived one, just like that other Lemmon film, Mister Roberts.

Ricky Nelson was never the greatest actor going, but he was their for the teenage girl market at the box office. What he was though was a very good singer and he does get to sing Do You Know What It Means to Leave New Orleans which sold a few platters back in the day.

Outstanding other performances in the film are from Chips Rafferty, Australia's greatest cinema star, Mike Kellin playing the CPO of the sailing crew and Tom Tully who seems to continue where he took off from in The Caine Mutiny.

Even today I think cinema fans will enjoy the comedy of Jack Lemmon in The Wackiest Ship in the Army.

Very Good WWII Film

[henryonhillside · 7/10 · 10 April 2016]

This is an entirely watchable World War II film. I say this with surprise, because I avoided the movie for years. I was aware of it as a kid growing up in the '60s - it showed up on "Saturday Night at the Movies" on NBC but I steered clear of it - I was probably turned off by the not-very-good TV series with the same title.

Jack Lemmon is excellent here in a sort of Ensign Pulver sequel. Ricky Nelson, 20 years old (strongly resembling the young Mel Gibson) is pretty good. Nelson was at the height of his fame in 1960, with a multimedia thing going on, consisting of his daddy's TV show, movies, and, most prominently, hit records. (The man had 17 Top Ten hits in his career!)

There's a gritty authenticity to the picture - for example, the sailors sweat a LOT just like they did in the South Pacific during the war. The grit combines with some laughs; this combination works well. (See "Father Goose" and "Mr. Roberts" for additional examples of this genre, drama/comedy-during-WWII.) Mike Kellin is very effective as the chief petty officer. Tom Tully is solid and subtle as the port captain - Tully suffered a tragic fate a few years later, see his listing here at IMDb for the sad details.

"Wackiest Ship" kind of falls apart toward the end when Jack Lemmon isn't around as much; it might have benefited from a few more minutes of Tom Tully. But on the whole it's 99 minutes well spent (it seems a little too short).

Decent Jack Lemmon Vehicle

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 5 July 2017]

Lieutenant Rip Crandall is hoodwinked into taking command of the "Wackiest Ship in the Navy" -- a real garbage scow with a crew of misfits who do not know a jib from a jigger.

Columbia Pictures acquired the rights to a story in the July 1956 issue of Argosy titled Big Fella Wash Wash, inspired by reminisces from former Echo skipper Meredith "Rip" Riddle. The story was advertised on the cover of the magazine as "The Wackiest Ship in the Army", because the naval vessel had been under Army command while in port, and Columbia used that title when purchasing the story in 1957. The movie never explained any connection between the ship and the Army, puzzling some viewers.

Oddly enough, it never occurred to me that "Army" was strange, since I think of "army" as a general term for the military as well as the specific branch. But yeah, I can see how that might be confusing... now I feel foolish I had not noticed sooner.

Lightweight and breezy...and quintessential Jack Lemmon!!!

[MisterWhispy · 23 November 2001]

This is one of those overlooked films Lemmon made in the early years of his legendary career. It kind of became lost in the midst of such higher profile films as "Some Like it Hot" and "The Apartment", and never truly found its way out. "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" represents a list of forgotten Lemmon titles that deserve recognition. Such films include, "It Happened to Jane", "Operation Mad Ball", "The Notorious Landlady", and "Alex & the Gypsy".

"Wackiest" is a one of those type of films that is perfect for a lazy afternoon. Often amusing and boasting a quintessential Lemmon performance, it's worth checking out just for pure nostalgia!

*** (out of 5)

The Battle of the Bismarck Sea Ended on March 4th, 1943

[PCC0921 · 7/10 · 1 February 2022]

Most people can probably name five or six different moments that defined World War II, but a lot of people forget about how much Australia played a role in the War of the Pacific. It was all too real of a concept, that Japan was knocking on their doorway for conquest too, so Australia played an active role in getting the Allies a hand-hold on certain territories and shipping lanes in the south Pacific. This helped to impede Japan's advance, during the early days of the Pacific campaign. One event that changed the course of the war was the Battle of the Bismark Sea. The events leading up to the start of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea are chronicled, loosely based on real events, in this great comedy, drama, staring Jack Lemmon.

Lemmon plays Lt. Rip Crandall, who is given the command of the only sailing ship in the Navy, the USS Echo. His experience as a yacht sailor, before the war, gets him the promotion. So, you already feel like, Lemmon and his crew will be fighting the war from way behind the enemy lines. They are the back-up to the back-up. Their little sail boat will handle duties of a non-combat manner. It is that underlying feeling of disrespect that Rip feels, but keeps it under wraps, because the ulterior choice is possible death on the high seas of war. It also helps to enhance the comedy level in the film, while not stepping on certain sensitivities, that could occur in a war-comedy.

He is given a simple transportation mission, that involves transporting the Echo to a base for an unknown mission for the Navy. He just has to drop the ship off and fly back home. As the film unwinds, we realize that the Echo's mission has much more meaning to it. An importance that has to happen before the Allies launch their attack, which becomes the Battle of the Bismark Sea. To give you a more modern comparison; the mission in the Wackiest Ship in the Army is to the Battle of the Bismark Sea, as to, what Rogue One (2016), was, to Star Wars (1977). It's that preliminary act that needs to happen before the big attack happens.

There are other interesting plot threads involving Rip's 2nd in command, Ensign Tommy J. Hanson (Ricky Nelson), who plays the young, calm Ensign, who actually looks at Lemmon's Lieutenant with total respect. We also get to hear the popstar pipes of Nelson, as he sings the song, "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans", with Lemmon on piano. What is wonderful about Lemmon in this film is the character's humanity and kindness. He is already taking care of the well being of this crew, even though he plans not to accept this mission. Of course, that doesn't happen and into the mission they go.

The mission grows into a spying mission to watch the Japanese shipping lanes, but the Echo has to enter enemy territory to do it, plus Rip will be replaced by another Officer (Richard Anderson). It is here where we see Rip's true concern for his young Ensign and his inexperienced, but brave crew, begins to come out. It is here when he realizes he is the man for the job. That this mission will be more successful if he is there. We also meet the Australian scout, Patterson (Chips Rafferty), who will take over the reconnaissance of the Japanese. It is his character that guides the rest of the characters and the film forward. His presence gives the audience that reassurance that everything may come out alright. But, we have to get through the mission first.

This film isn't supposed to be a knock-down action packed film. It isn't even a high-strung comedy. It isn't trying to insult anyone. It just wants to make people laugh and remember a part of history that sometimes gets lost. It has the feeling of an early 60s comedy-drama, with a pinch of historical acknowledgement. It is a good one for Jack Lemmon fans and an interesting glance at superstar Ricky Nelson. It's a satisfying hour and a half of 1960s movie flare.

6.7 (C- MyGrade) = 7 IMDB.

much better than "professional reviewer" states.

[mfurman11 · 8/10 · 6 October 2011]

this is a fun, wholesome movie suitable for all ages. Lemmon is captivating, as always and Ricky Nelson does just fine. actually, this is really a tailor made role for nelson. the young handsome, slightly misguided, yet sincere officer who admits past failures and looks forward to proving himself in the eyes of his superior, Lemmon. the move has a touch of romance, a bit of action and plenty of laughs and wholesome fun. check it out. i'll bet you'll be rooting for this bunch of misfits just like i was. and Clayton Trap, i have no opinion on you as a person, though i do have a great sympathy for that stick that's stuck up your....

Fairly good light comedy

[edalweber · 5/10 · 23 November 2008]

I agree with several of the previous reviewers.This is a peculiar mixture of comedy and drama. After all, getting run through by a samurai sword is hardly a joke.But for the most part it is pleasant enough mild comedy, though scarcely a classic.Since this movie is not intended to be taken seriously, pointing out "factual errors" is just for fun.One happens after they are captured.The Japanese officer shows them an aerial photo taken several days previously showing the ship with the crew disguised as natives, and says that because of this they can be shot as spies.While the Japanese were not noted for adhering to the rules of war, and did not sign the Geneva Convention, as the officer points out, Japan DID sign the Hague conventions on naval warfare of the 1890's. One provision, sometimes known as the "disguised commerce raider clause" gives Naval vessels in wartime free rein to do what soldiers are NOT permitted to do on land.Warships and their crews may adopt any disguise they choose, fly neutral or enemy flags, adopt any deception that they want.Soldiers doing the same on land , if caught, can legally be shot as spies.It may seem unfair and inconsistent, but that is the way it is under the rules of war.A minor point is that since the days of sail were not that far in the past then, you would think that the Navy could find enough men experienced in sail to man the ship.But then veterans of the armed forces will tell you that the military rarely uses common sense!

Lemmon rules the waves

[benbrae76 · 10/10 · 29 August 2006]

I've just watched this movie again (and taped it), and found it just as amusing as when I first watched it 40 odd years ago (just after it's release in fact). Jack Lemmon never fails to impress, but after all this time I now realise that Ricky Nelson (although a great loss to the music world) wasn't the greatest of actors. However his naivety in this department somehow added charm to this movie.

The WWII storyline based on true events couldn't be simpler. An American naval officer/ex-yachtsman Lt Rip Crandall (Jack Lemmon), and a young Ensign Tommy Hansen (Ricky Nelson), are ordered to sail an old sloop, the "USS Echo", with an unexperienced crew across the Great Barrier Reef to Port Moresby, where (although Crandall doesn't know until later) the boat is to be used to convey an Aussie coast-watcher to his destination, with a different crew. Crandall doesn't like the change-over so steals the mission. End of plot...almost.

The only real down side of this movie was the awful "Austroylian" accent of Irish actress Patricia Driscoll. Almost as bad as Dick van Dyke's Cockney accent in "Mary Poppins". Almost, but not quite. Although lovely to look at, it's a blessing Patricia only had a minor role. However I find it strange that the part couldn't have been given to a genuine Aussie.

All in all, I always found this movie very entertaining, and strangely enough, for a war film, and rather like "Mr Roberts", no violence worth worrying about. Which rather pleases me now, for my grandkids love it.

Enlisted beware

[cartjos · 5/10 · 11 November 2022]

When I was younger without any military experience, movies like this would be fun to watch. After more than 30 years with most being in the Navy I have grown tired of seeing enlisted people made to appear like idiots that need the direction of officers to function. Even the depiction of Chief Petty officers make them appear that without the guidance of a 22 year old Ensign would be lost. Mister Roberts, again with Lemmon, is a great example of the denigrating depiction of the enlisted. Sailors need an officer to allow them to take their shirts off while working in the hold on the Equator. The Lemmon character only begins to stand up for the enlisted after he learns of Mister Roberts's death. This is why with time I love Kelly's Heroes more and more, it's all enlisted.

Promoted Two Grades and a Better Officer!

[lawprof · 8/10 · 26 May 2003]

Based on true events (we were at war with the Japanese in 1943 in the Pacific), "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" stars Jack Lemmon as, once again, a naval officer.

Lemmon made his first big film in 1955 when he played the con artist, Ensign Pulver, in "Mister Roberts," a movie that's attained classic status. In this 1961 film he dons the navy uniform again, this time as a lieutenant (senior grade). A reserve officer who was a dapper yachtsman in California before the war, Lemmon is assigned to command a sailing vessel with (barely functioning) auxiliary mechanical propulsion.

The U.S.S. Echo is hardly the dream command of any officer, reserve or regular. But the new C.O. gamely takes on training an eager but totally bemused crew in the art of sailing a vessel.

The Echo is assigned to land an Australian coast watcher on an island occupied by the stereotypically portrayed Japanese (more Japanese officers with U.C.L.A. degrees appear in film than ever showed up on the front). The heroic coast watchers were very important during the island hopping campaign and they deserve every bit of cinematic recognition they have received. Many died, some after being tortured by their captors.

Nowhere nearly as smoothly directed as "Mister Roberts," "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" (and there's no rational reason for the title-the Army doesn't even play a role here) teeters unevenly between some nice comedy and some very 1950s-1960s war action supplemented by combat footage (one Japanese plane has been shown blown out of the sky so often in movies that if the pilot's estate was entitled to royalties the heirs would be richer than Bill Gates).

The exploits of the Echo's crew led, we are told, to the American victory in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, an important engagement.

This is a good film for renting. Jack Lemmon plays the competent and caring C.O. very nicely and is the center of the story.

The Navy must have really liked the script. They put a fleet anchorage at the filmmaker's disposal. Here's a quiz for the sharp-eyed. At one point the stern of one of the most famous and important smaller combatant vessels of World War II is shown while Lemmon is instructing his crew. What ship is it?

6/10.

Fans of Lemmon should not miss this one!

[broosr · 14 March 2002]

It's too bad Hollywood stopped making war flicks like this one. They were much more enjoyable than the kind of hand-wringing performances you see nowadays. Lemmon took a break from chewing the scenery in the classics "Some Like It Hot" and "The Great Race" and returned to a more straight-man character of the kind he played in Mister Roberts. Although Lemmon is, as usual, great, the movie suffers somewhat from a bland supporting cast and the insufferable Ricky Nelson, whose acting is as wooden as it was in "Rio Bravo." Although slow to get going, the movie eventually takes off and maintains a robust pace to the conclusion. Note that TV showings tend to trim this one heavily, so if you see it sitting in the bargain bin, be sure to pick it up!

For fans of Lemmon or the genre only!

Somewhere in the South Pacific

[wes-connors · 4/10 · 28 July 2008]

Classic example of a film that looked better on paper. "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" begins by failing as it was obviously promoted; to be brief, it isn't very "wacky". With the comedy ship sinking, the film becomes more dramatic; and, much more enjoyable. Jack Lemmon (as Rip Crandall), an expert at comedy-drama, tries his best. Ricky Nelson (as Tommy Hanson), an expert at quip delivery, is given almost nothing to do. Promoted as a "team", Mr. Lemmon and Mr. Nelson have no chemistry; and, to be fair, are given no discernible direction to that end.

Nelson sings one song, "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?" Although sweet, it isn't one of his better, or representative, songs; but, it did fit the film's World War II setting. The scene with Lemmon accompanying Nelson's singing, on piano, is interesting. Lemmon tickles the ivories, clearly uncomfortable in a "Bob Hope" role, while Nelson sings to the recording as if it were an "Ozzie and Harriet" TV bonus song. Still, the stars, supporting cast, and colorful photography (by Charles Lawton Jr.) are never less than pleasant.

**** The Wackiest Ship in the Army (12/29/60) Richard Murphy ~ Jack Lemmon, Ricky Nelson, Richard Anderson

light lovely comedy thanks to Jack Lemmon

[babykaren · 9/10 · 8 March 2014]

Jack Lemmon is a comedic gem and also a great leading man. This movie helps prove that. He has a laid back charm that could be comparable to Cary Grant. His ability to play drama and comedy whether as lead, shared lead or as supporting actor proves that as does his longevity in the craft. He has been in so many great movies and one of my favorites has been - How to murder your wife. His friendship with Ernie Kovacs is how I believe I first became aware of Jack Lemmon. The cast in this show are all nicely played and realistic - you actually believe the actors are the characters. The script is full of great easy to enjoy dialogue. The one liners blend well and are well placed in the script which includes sailing phrases. John Lund plays well in his lighter role as I remember him from High Society. The schooner is sleek and I'd have loved to sail on her. "What will they do if they all quit?" as was recited by Chief to Ricky Nelson's character is a smile. Climbing the mast to release the stuck sail a sailor is told to "don't look down". Jack's ability to go from a comedy moment here to a serious moment and back is a joy to watch and much of that takes place even before they leave the dock. I had almost forgotten this movie but it popped up on TV today and I had a wonderful couple of hours. For those who have seen the movie Up Periscope - you'll have an idea of how they altered this script for that movie. The wackiest ship in the army is a movie that should never become lost.

Two fold action comedy that survives on acting and photographic gravitas alone.

[hitchcockthelegend · 5/10 · 9 November 2010]

The Wackiest Ship In The Army is directed by Richard Murphy and written by Herbert Carlson. It stars Jack Lemmon, Ricky Nelson & Chips Rafferty. It's filmed in CinemaScope and Eastman Color on location at Pearl Harbour & Kauai (Charles Lawton Jr. director of photography).

The basis for the film is to thrust the bemused Lemmon onto a past its sell by date schooner, and surround him with sea-faring characters who don't know a stern from a mast. Cue confusion with a mission that nobody is all too clear about and you get a knockabout farce launched from an Australian port in 1943. The writing unleashes the usual staples of people banging their heads on things, falling overboard and pulling exasperated looks from time to time. The last third of the picture oddly shifts to something resembling drama as the mission unfolds, but it's an awkward fit and one has to wonder what the intention of the makers was from the off.

Funny in parts but dreary in others, the film is only watchable for Lemmon's gusto and Lawton Jr's lovely CinemaScope photography. 5/10

Fun

[morganyossarian · 8/10 · 1 July 2004]

Saw it this afternoon at home with the kids. Great fun- with a bit of an edge... brilliant for a wet afternoon. Lemmon acts as though he isn't trying and still steals the show. The love interest is interesting and the beleaguered officer who we all feel for is successful in the end. it's one of those second world war movies, like Stalag 17 or whatever that is light and patriotic at the same time.....

A film of two halves – neither of which are awful but neither of which are any good

[bob the moo · 10 July 2004]

When Lieutenant Rip Crandall is offered his first command he jumps at the chance. However when he arrives at his 'ship' he finds that the Echo is more of a tub than a destroyer – being practically a yacht! With an inexperienced or inept crew and a second officer who has barely ever been on water for any length of time, Crandall is ready to drop out until guilt gets the better of him and he decides not to leave the young Ensign Hanson carrying the bag. After a few days of intensive and quite unsuccessful training, Crandall's ship sets off on its mission.

Starting out with a credit sequence and opening 10 minutes that suggests that the film may be as 'wacky' as the title suggests, it gradually settles into humour that is rather basic but passable before going for a more traditional plot that lacks humour and fails to really be that interesting. In some regards the turn away from the 'wacky' first few minutes was a relieve because I really don't like things that knowingly describe themselves as 'wacky' (personal ads with the words 'bubbly' or 'wacky' are generally my idea of hell) and the humour at the start of this just seemed too forced. However once it settles, it settles into humour that isn't very funny but is amiable enough. This continues with the usual 'training' stuff and 'mishaps' that passes for entertainment just about but then in the final 30/40 minutes it tries to actually have a plot – and falls to pieces as a result.

By this point I didn't really care about the plot more than a basic description and it was too late in the day to try and suddenly become engaging or exciting. The film also completely drops the humour (for what it was) and creates such a sudden change of tone that its like watching another film – something that damages it even further. Of course, its not awful, its just a film of two halves, neither of which are much cop but neither of which are really bad. The cast doesn't help much either since most of them are fairly average and just play to the level of the humour. Lemmon tries hard but cannot do much other than his usual stuff – which isn't as good when it is built on material like this. Nelson is about as wooden as you could get and only has presence when he is given a musical number – he was a singer after all and never really convinced me as an actor. The support cast are pretty average and you can see their basic characters in almost any other 'useless ensemble crew' movie that you can pick.

Overall this is a strange film that doesn't really work. It tries to be wacky and funny but the material is weak and it never really gets going, with the humour tailing off with every passing minute. When it eventually drops off altogether, the plot becomes more of a traditional war story but by then it is too hard to really care what is going on and it more or less fails too. As a total film it is a strange split; neither of the two halves really work but neither of them are bad. The end result is a film that is just about passable but one that will disappoint many who view it regardless of their expectations.

The flakiest ship in the army

[Chase_Witherspoon · 5/10 · 6 November 2010]

While it may have spawned a popular TV series, there's very little that's "wacky" about this big screen origin which doesn't seem to settle into an even pattern for either a comedy, or a light war-action film. Lemmon is the newly recruited and reluctant skipper of the Navy's laughing stock - a ragtag group of social rejects and dull blades, all affable types, just lacking the mettle required of active service. Lemmon has three days to turn them into a competent outfit, capable of piloting their lemon of a yacht on an ostensibly routine journey. Suffice to say that with the aid of inexperienced but promising young officer Ricky Nelson and no-nonsense chief mate Mike Kellin, the crew silence their detractors and unwittingly undertake a secret mission in enemy waters.

The subsequent TV series with Jack Warden and Gary Collins was several years beyond its nexus, but superior in most facets, despite only lasting a couple of years. The dialogue is busy (Lemmon typically written in hyper-speed), there's plenty of slapstick humour much of it courtesy of pea-brained radioman Berlinger and some well orchestrated sea-faring action, but it never gels properly. Nelson sings (but doesn't act) while the fairer gender representation is left to Patricia Driscoll who performs an impressive down under accent.

It's capable in its discreet elements, but collectively, disappointingly flat. Sort of a light-humoured marine Dirty Dozen that I'd recommend only to Lemmon fans or perhaps those who enjoy Nelson's expressionless crooning.

fantastic

[rossrobinson · 10/10 · 1 July 2004]

I think the wackiest ship in the army is a fantastic movie, I first watched this on 1st July 2004, and i thought it was a good comedy movie, jack lemmon is my favourite actor. I taped the movie even though i haven't seen it, maybe it's because it's got jack lemmon in it, i feel that happens to others, people having a favourite actor or actress or even both and taping one of their movies when they haven't seen it. I have taped quite a few films and bought films with jack lemmon in that i haven't seen. I have always loved jack lemmon's movies because he was such a great actor and a great comedian. I will always be a fan of jack lemmon because he made such great movies and did fantastic ones with Walter Matthau who i think is a good comedian actor as well as jack. Thank you jack for the great movies you have made for us all fans. I give this movie 10 out of 10.

Lemmon In A Lemon

[bigverybadtom · 3/10 · 17 August 2014]

Jack Lemmon is a lieutenant given command of a small and decrepit sailing schooner. He initially tries to refuse this command, but after quite a bit of cajoling and intrigue, he finally accepts. And why does the Navy want him so badly to do it? As a civilian, he was a racer of sailing ships-and people in the Navy knew nothing about how to operate one, not even the crew assigned to this ship. And why is the Navy even using a sailing schooner to begin with? To reach a port in Japanese waters that neither a regular ship nor a submarine could access.

A good potential idea, perhaps, but this comedy has few laughs in it. There were a couple of good scenes, such as a sailor crossing a big ship by being taken up in a crane standing on a hook, then moving to the hook of a second crane to be taken to the ship's opposite side, and there was a scene of the schooner fighting not to get crushed between two bigger boats coming alongside them. But most of the movie is insipid and unfunny, and we were too bored to make it to the end.

Not the comedy you think it would be...and that's NOT a bad thing.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 27 September 2022]

Modern aircraft at start.

Aside from too many modern airplanes and ships (something that irritates history teachers, like me), "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" is a very good movie. However, one thing you should know is that despite the title, it's really NOT a comedy...which is also surprising since there were a LOT of military comedies around the time this was made (such as "Operation Petticoat", "See Here Corporal Hargrove" and "Mr. Roberts". I am not complaining...I liked the film and am glad it really isn't a comedy!

Lieutenant Crandall (Jack Lemmon) is an officer who has ambitions of commanding his own ship. While he might command a PT boat or destroyer or sub, he's shocked to see he's given command of an old sailboat! Of course he's disappointed and wants off the ship, but he tries to make the best of it. But WHY...why would the navy want a ship such as this to be commissioned in the first place??

The film is interesting because it's actually NOT ridiculous. Occasionally, the navy did commission yachts and sailboats for special duties and the film is well worth seeing. The acting and writing are very good and it's well worth seeing...even if Ricky Nelson sings an anachronistic song that in no way fits the plot!

The Title of "Wackiest" should be stripped and awarded elsewhere...

[film-critic · 2/10 · 16 October 2008]

Navy. Let's just get it out of the troubled air first – shouldn't this film be called "The Wackiest Ship in the Navy". To begin with it has a stronger presence, reminding you of the good times we had with "McHale's Navy", but here it feels as if the director is already telling us a joke we don't feel like laughing at. Perhaps the two words, "Ship" and "Army" are a joke within themselves, demonstrating the power of the comedy right off the bat. Well, it failed. This was an annoying title that just got worse as I continued to think about the logistics. With this thought out of the way, what else failed in this film? Two words: Jack Lemmon. This was the worst film to showcase his talents, because he demonstrated no ability at all. His character, the most capable non-captain apparently in the entire Army (…or is it Navy?), was unfunny, overzealous, and arrogant throughout the picture. Coupled with his mopey second in command (a horrid Ricky Nelson as Ens. Hanson) that seemed to only take directions subtlety without passion or excitement, created a cinematic experience that was both boring and uncreative all at the same time. While I didn't want these two central characters to fall within the Hollywood cliché circle, I did want some comfort – some actual humor – as well as some chemistry that built upon that humor. Alas, none was present, and instead we had two actors just play their part all the while collecting their paycheck.

When a film uses the word "Wackiest" in its title, it would imply that there is going to be mischief, uncalled for chaos (also involving mischief), and characters that are larger than life providing us with the belly laughs we need through these harsh economic times. In my opinion, "Wackiest" is a misrepresentation for this film. The idea behind this film, a Navy man has to sail his way into enemy territory using a crew that knows nothing about actual sailing and ultimately asked to save the day. I know…I know, the jokes should have been flowing like the green screen ocean behind Lemmon, but it never did. The premise is strong, it had the potential to make you laugh – it drew ideas from other comedy films that do make you laugh – but where this film failed was in its execution. Comedy was forbidden in this film. Sure, there were scenes that attempted at comedy (i.e. the bad coffee sight gag), and there was plenty of pre-music warning us that something funny could happen – but nothing did. We spend forty minutes getting to the boat, twenty minutes on it, then the other forty carelessly outsmarting the Japanese insurgency. There were no sight gags, no quotable lines, and definitely nothing to say this would be great with friends and family. "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" floundered, with poor production values and paper-thin characters, not even a grin was worth the effort. If this ship was aptly called "The Wackiest", then I feel bad for those other vessels that probably promised laughs – and followed through successfully.

There is very little positive praise that one can give this film. Jack Lemmon, a man that I admire from his work on "The Apartment" and "The Odd Couple" knows, or should I say knew, comedy. He knew how to make this viewer laugh, and he has done it with what seemed like the greatest grace, but this film didn't even scratch the surface of his potential. Why waste such a talented actor on a script that had larger holes than those written by Louis Sachar. It felt as if the writers had to produce a script in three days, or they would lose their jobs. This film, "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" is that final project. None of the characters, even Lemmon, are worth viewing. The pathetic attempt at danger, attempting to build any suspense especially during the mine field gimmick, was devastatingly bad. This was not comedy. This was not even an attempt at comedy. This was faux comedy. Not quite real – even when the entire audience is hoping for the best.

Overall, I have to admit, this was a horrid film. One could argue that Jack Lemmon could never make a disastrous film, and I would have to continually quote this film. Absolutely nothing worked in this film, from the comedy, the factual elements, and even the moments of suspense – it just seemed pre-cut. This was a pre-determined film, knowing from the beginning that the ending was in sight and no clouds ahead. I can't argue about that, in this pre-determined world Hollywood, there is a sense of comfort with knowing how a film will end, but it is how we get to that ending that counts. In this film, that was nearly as bad as our outside elements. The characters were never witty, never dialogue savvy, or even schooled in physical comedy. Nothing worked in this "naval" comedy. I would love to tell you something, anything positive about this film, just in hopes that perhaps I missed something – but alas, I cannot suggest it to anyone. I would like to attach this warning – this is not a comedy – repeat – this is not a comedy. View at your own risk … we cannot promise your safety.

Grade: * out of *****

A decent time waster.

[Blueghost · 22 December 2012]

I've seen this movie several times, and I can't remember really laughing one time at anything in the film, but it raises a grin here and there. Lemmon does his best to carry the film, but the title and story are ho- hum at best. The story is carried more by attitude and atmosphere generated by music and performance, and not by any real gag nor humor in the script itself.

Speaking as a man who used to race yachts in his younger days, this film doesn't really hit on the short comings of novice sailors, and it could have. Instead an antiquated wooden sloop is given the ugly treatment, and the sailors try to portray their characters as being reluctant incompetents. Real novice sailors ask questions, don't know a halyard from a mainsheet, and where the jargon and equipment is briefly touched on, it's clear that the screenplay artist and director don't know much about sailing nor training sailors.

Still, it's a WW2 comedy, so the movie going audience at the time probably gave it some leeway, and Lemmon's performance is a pleasure to watch. In fact all the actors hit their marks, but the script and some of the direction where accentuating the humor goes, falls short. But, if you can get my that, and you can if you let Lemmon and the supporting cast wash over you, the movie is okay. But just okay.

I hadn't seen the film in years, and watching it with a more mature and educated mind, I can still appreciate it as a film experience out of nostalgia, but if I were a younger viewer being introduced to this film, I might get a little impatient with it.

If you grew up with it, you'll like it. If you're new to it, then there's much to criticize.

Give it a try, or watch at your own risk.

p.s. there was no Air Force in WW2. It was the US Army Air Corps.

excellent acting interesting and funny to the end

[elararose · 10/10 · 3 April 2023]

Really loved this film. Its a long time since i saw a film with Jack Lemmon in so took me back to my childhood and fond memories of the many classic films of the time.

Good to see classic actors with a well written script with fun laughs as well as serious bits too and a good ending. Interestingly in case people don't know, there were Japanese Americans who went home to Japan to fight ww2 so were "American" whilst fighting on their own side - so it is surely possible a Japanese who lived in America would talk baseball. Cant remember if that was this film, just saying as an example of how it makes even a serious moment create a smile. Plenty of action too. They really don't make them like this anymore.

Lacking Wacky

[NoDakTatum · 8/10 · 28 October 2023]

In this WWII comedy, Jack Lemmon plays a Lt. Rip Crandall, who finally gets command of his own ship- a small sailboat with an inexperienced crew. Ensign Tommy Hanson (Rick Nelson) is his second in command, and the ship must sail. This lightweight comedy is not over-the-top hysterical, but not bad, either. The breezy feel of the film is helped by an almost complete lack of plot. Crandall takes the boat through dangerous waters watched by the Japanese, picks up an Australian spy who tracks Japanese navy positions from the jungle, and sails him to the jungle. The ship is captured, and our heroes must try to escape. Aside from the Japanese, the only other conflict is between Crandall and the hard nosed Lt. Foster (Richard Anderson), who is ready to take over the sailboat. The film works mostly because of Lemmon. He is so good and so likable here, you forget little things like a romantic subplot that never pans out. Nelson even finds a chance to croon a song, giving us a break from the loud, unsubtle musical score.

Despite the title, most of the humor here is derived from the men's war situation- not anything terribly wacky happens. There are laughs, two running gags involve people knocking themselves on the head, and a funny one involving Crandall's quest for a decent cup of coffee. Another light moment that is not pounded into the ground- the men dress as natives, complete with grass skirts and coconut shell bras, to fool the enemy into thinking they are a local trading ship. The scene is funny without being racist and offensive. The suspense about the mission is often undermined by a reliance on stock footage to show battle scenes. This is a comedy, yet we are watching actual footage of war, and this is a little unsettling. When director Murphy is allowed to shoot his own action sequences, they work, especially the cruise through the mined harbor. "The Wackiest Ship in The Army" spawned a television show, and that is about the level of the script. This is nothing that will change your life, but watching Lemmon's comic skills and good nature make this an enjoyable enough time filler. Followed by a TV series.