Imitation General
| Imitation General | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | George Marshall |
| Produced by | William B. Hawks |
| Written by | William Bowers |
| Based on |
Imitation General 1956 short story by William Chamberlain |
| Starring |
Glenn Ford Red Buttons Taina Elg |
| Cinematography | George J. Folsey |
| Edited by | Harold F. Kress |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $944,000[1] |
| Box office | $3,165,000[1] |
Imitation General is a 1958 CinemaScope war comedy film starring Glenn Ford, Red Buttons and Taina Elg. The film was based on a short story of the same name by William Chamberlain.
Plot summary
In the aftermath of a big battle during World War II, 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. Recalling 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 Murph and has a grudge against him.
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.
Cast
- Glenn Ford as MSgt. Murphy Savage
- Red Buttons as Cpl. Chan Derby
- Taina Elg as Simone
- Dean Jones as Cpl. Terry Sellers
- Kent Smith as Brig. Gen. Charles Lane
- Tige Andrews as Pvt. Orville Hutchmeyer
- John Wilder as Lt. Jeff Clayton
- Ralph Votrian as American Pfc.
Box office
According to MGM records the film earned $1,915,000 in the US and Canada and $1,250,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $1,095,000.[1]
References
External links
- Imitation General at the Internet Movie Database
- Imitation General at the TCM Movie Database
- Imitation General at AllMovie
- Imitation General at the American Film Institute Catalog