Soldier in the Rain (1963)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writers:

Blake Edwards (writer)
William Goldman (novel)

Release Date:

27 November 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A grand pair - add a brand new curve to AN OLD ARMY GAME!

Plot:

The bond of friendship between a worldly-wise Army Master Sergeant and his naive worshiper.

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film | Based On Novel

Cast

Jackie Gleason	...	MSgt. Maxwell Slaughter
Steve McQueen	...	Sgt. Eustis Clay
Tuesday Weld	...	Bobby Jo Pepperdine
Tony Bill	...	Pfc. Jerry Meltzer
Tom Poston	...	Lt. Magee
Ed Nelson	...	MP Sgt. James Priest
Lew Gallo	...	Sgt. Fred Lenahan
Rockne Tarkington	...	Sgt. William Booth
Paul Hartman	...	Chief of Police
John Hubbard	...	Battalion Major
Chris Noel	...	Frances McCoy
Sam Flint	...	Old Man
Lewis Charles	...	Sgt. Tozzi
Adam West	...	Captain (inspecting)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:U (original rating) (cut) | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved

Company:

Cedar Productions

Trivia:

Jackie Gleason released a version of the title music as a single on Capitol in early 1964, with another Henry Mancini composition, Bird Brain, as the b-side. This puts Soldier in the Rain (1963) in the same category as Thunder Road (1958) and Because They're Young (1960): movies which had a version of the theme song performed by a member of the cast and released as a single, while that version wasn't the one used in the movie.

Quotes:

Clay: See ya later, Maxwell
Slaughter: Until that time, Eustice, until that time

The odd couple - military style

Buddy movies seem to work particularly well when the twosome is made up of opposing elements often reflected in physical types and races. Pryor and Wilder, Mostel and Wilder, Glover and Gibson, the list goes on... Steve Mcqueen and Jackie Gleason are certainly an unexpected buddy duo, but it's a coupling which works very well.

The heroic action type seems to have dominated Mcqueen's career. As an actor he was capable of a lot more. As a likeable rogue he brought much charm to "The Reivers" similar to what we find in "Soldier in the Rain" though with an added edge of eccentricity.

Jackie Gleason, (who not only looks like Orson Welles but seems to sound like him to here), complements the duo with his own inimitable charm. Tuesday Weld, who as always has that special charm of her own, adds to the general good vibe this innocuous army life comedy has to offer.

While not exactly a film of much importance, its undeniable abundance of good nature plus talented cast make it a pleasant way to pass 88 minutes.