The Private War of Major Benson

The Private War of Major Benson is 1955 comedy film starring Charlton Heston, Julie Adams, Sal Mineo and Tim Hovey, about a tough-talking U.S. Army officer who must shape up the JROTC program at Sheridan Academy, a Catholic boys' military academy, or be forced out of the Army.

The movie was filmed on St. Catherine's Military School campus in 1955, with cadets as the actors in all but the leading roles. Universal-International Studios chose St. Catherine's cadets and location for their humorous comedy about the challenges facing the new commandant of a military school by the antics of a group of grade school cadets. The picture featured a full battalion of St. Catherine's students.

This movie was said to be one of the inspirations for Damon Wayans' 1995 film Major Payne, and possibly also for the 1984 TV movie Hard Knox (starring Robert Conrad).

Cast

Charlton Heston as Maj. Barney Benson

Julie Adams as Dr. Kay Lambert

William Demarest as John

Tim Hovey as Cadet Tiger Flaherty

Sal Mineo as Cadet Dusik

Tim Considine as Cadet Hibler

Nana Bryant as Mother Redempta

Milburn Stone as General Ramsey