Sneha Girap (Editor)

Imitation General

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
6.8
/
10
1
Votes
Alchetron
6.8
1 Ratings
100
90
80
70
61
50
40
30
20
10
Rate This

Rate This

Director
  
George Marshall

Cinematography
  
George J. Folsey

Duration
  

Language
  
English

6.6/10
IMDb

Genre
  
Comedy, War

Produced by
  
William Hawks

Country
  
United States

Imitation General movie poster

Release date
  
August 20, 1958 (1958-08-20)

Based on
  
Imitation General 1956 short story  by William Chamberlain

Writer
  
William Bowers, William Chamberlain (story)

Cast
  
Glenn Ford
(MSgt. Murphy Savage),
Red Buttons
(Cpl. Chan Derby),
Taina Elg
(Simone),
Dean Jones
(Cpl. Terry Sellers),
Kent Smith
(Brig. Gen. Charles Lane),
Tige Andrews
(Pvt. Orville Hutchmeyer)

Similar movies
  
Full Metal Jacket
,
Independence Day
,
The Princess Bride
,
The Patriot
,
Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son
,
Big Momma's House

Tagline
  
The war's wildest story!

Imitation general preview clip


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.

Contents

Imitation General wwwgstaticcomtvthumbmovieposters3814p3814p

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.

    References

    Imitation General Wikipedia
    Imitation General IMDb Imitation General themoviedb.org