Mister Roberts
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Mister Roberts is a 1955 film which tells the story of a naval lieutenant during World War II who stands up for his crew against the petty tyranny of the ship's commander. It stars Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon, Betsy Palmer, Ward Bond, Philip Carey, Nick Adams, Ken Curtis and Harry Carey, Jr.
The movie was adapted by Joshua Logan and Frank S. Nugent from the long-running play by Logan and Thomas Heggen, which was adapted from the novel by Heggen. It was directed by John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy and Joshua Logan (uncredited).
It won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Jack Lemmon) and was nominated for Best Picture and Best Sound, Recording.
The film was William Powell's last movie before his death. Fonda reprised the role he had played on Broadway.
L. Ron Hubbard, during his life, claimed (without much evidence) that Mister Roberts was based on himself and his career aboard the combat support ship USS Algol.
Mister Roberts was followed by a sequel, Ensign Pulver, in 1964. It was remade for television in 1984, starring Robert Hays, Kevin Bacon, Charles Durning, Marilu Henner, Howard Hesseman and Joe Pantoliano. It was directed by Melvin Bernhardt. There was also a television series in 1965, featuring Roger Smith, Steve Harmon and Richard X. Slattery.