Introduction

Imitation General is a 1958 American black-and-white comedy war film in CinemaScope, directed by George Marshall, produced by William B. Hawks, and starring Glenn Ford, Red Buttons, and Taina Elg. The film, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is based on a short story of the same name by William Chamberlain.

Outline

In the aftermath of a big battle during World War II, American Brigadier General Charles Lane, Master Sergeant Murphy “Murph” Savage, and Corporal Chan Derby are cut off behind enemy lines. The general takes over a farmhouse belonging to annoyed Frenchwoman Simone. Lane determines that there is a gap in the American lines and decides to organise a defence from whatever stragglers he can gather together. Shortly afterwards, however, he is killed saving Murph’s life.

The first American soldier to show up, Corporal Terry Sellers, mistakes Murph for Lane, as Murph is holding the general’s helmet. This gives Murph an idea. Recalling Lane’s assessment that leadership is desperately needed to rally the disorganised troops, Murph masquerades as the general, with Derby and Simone’s reluctant help. Murph manages to repulse a couple of attacks spearheaded by German tanks, all the while avoiding Private Orville Hutchmeyer, who knows Murph and holds 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.

Cast

• Glenn Ford as Master Sergeant Murphy Savage
• Red Buttons as Corporal Chan Derby
• Taina Elg as Simone
• Dean Jones as Corporal Terry Sellers
• Kent Smith as Brigadier General Charles Lane
• Tige Andrews as Private Orville Hutchmeyer
• John Wilder as Leiutenant Jeff Clayton
• Ralph Votrian as American Private First Class.

Release

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.

Trivia

• The American tanks in this film are M47 Patton tanks. They were produced post war.
• NBC originally scheduled this film for broadcast on 23 November 1963. However it was cancelled due to coverage of the death of President John F. Kennedy, and it wasn’t broadcast until 11 January 1964.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • George Marshall
• Producer(s):
  • William B. Hawks … producer
• Writer(s):
  • William Bowers … (screen play by)
  • William Chamberlain … (story)
• Music:
• Cinematography:
  • George J. Folsey … director of photography
• Editor(s):
  • Harold F. Kress
• Production:
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
• Distributor(s):
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (United States, 1958)(theatrical)
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (United Kingdom, 1958)(theatrical)
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer de Chile (Chile, 1959)(theatrical)
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (Sweden, 1959)(theatrical)
  • Metro (Norway, 1959)(theatrical)
  • National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (United States, 1964)(TV)
  • Turner Entertainment (United States, 1992)(colorised version, pan/scan, TV)
  • Fukkoku Cinema Library (Japan, 2017)(DVD)
  • Warner Archive Collection (United States, 2014)(DVD)
• Release Date: 20 August 1958 (New York City, US).
• Running Time: 88 minutes.
• Rating: Approved.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)