| Imitation General | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | George Marshall |
| Produced by | William B. Hawks |
| Written by | William Chamberlain (story) William Bowers |
| Starring | Glenn Ford Red Buttons Taina Elg |
| Distributed by | MGM |
| Release date(s) | August 20, 1958 |
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Imitation General is a 1958 war/comedy film starring Glenn Ford, Red Buttons and Taina Elg.
In the aftermath of a big battle, Brigadier General Charles Lane (Kent Smith), Master Sergeant Murphy "Murph" Savage (Glenn Ford) and Corporal Chan Derby (Red Buttons) find themselves cut off. The general takes over a farmhouse belonging to annoyed Frenchwoman Simone (Taina Elg). Lane determines that there is a gap in the lines and decides to organize a defense from whatever stragglers he can gather together. Shortly afterwards however, he is killed saving Murph's life.
The first American soldier who shows up, Corporal Terry Sellers (Dean Jones), mistakes Murph for Lane (Murph is holding the general's helmet), giving him an idea. Recallng Lane's assessment that leadership is desperately needed to rally the disorganized troops, Murph masquerades as the general, with Derby and Simone's reluctant help. Murph manages to repulse a couple of German attacks spearheaded by tanks, all the while avoiding Private Orville Hutchmeyer (Tige Andrews), who knows and has a grudge against Murph.
At the end of the engagement, Murph is knocked out by shrapnel, allowing him to "die" and resume his real identity with no one the wiser.