Soldier in the Rain

Director: Ralph Nelson Ralph Nelson

Overview

The unlikely duo of Steve McQueen and Jackie Gleason star in this military comedy-drama. Gleason is Master Sergeant Max Slaughter, a corpulent man perfectly content with his solitary life in the Army, where his room and board are paid for and free sodas are his for the taking. His comrade, the more ambitious Sergeant Eustis Clay (McQueen), looks forward to leaving the service and making a big success of himself in business. Nevertheless, Eustis worships the ground that the kindly Max walks on and introduces him to a pretty teenager, Bobby Jo Pepperdine (Tuesday Weld). This sets off the ire of Bobby Jo's would-be suitor Sergeant Fred Lenahan (Lew Gallo), a tough military policeman who's already got a bone to pick with Eustis, leading to a tragic turn of events for Eustis and Max. The script for Soldier in the Rain (1963) was co-written by Blake Edwards.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/05/2009
UPC:	0883316174302
Original Release:	1963
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:28:00
Sales rank:	25,233

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jackie Gleason	MSgt. Maxwell Slaughter
Steve McQueen	Sgt. Eustis Clay
Tuesday Weld	Bobby Jo Pepperdine
Tony Bill	Pfc. Jerry Meltzer
Tom Poston	Lt. Magee
Chris Noel	Frances McCoy
Ed Nelson	MP Sgt. Priest
Lew Gallo	MP Sgt. Lenahan
Rockne Tarkington	1st Sgt. William Booth
Lewis Charles	Sgt. Tozzi
Sam Flint	Old Man
Paul Hartman	Chief of Police
Adam West	Capt. Blekeley
John Hubbard	Battalion Major
Henry Mancini	Composer

Technical Credits

Maurice Richlin

Blake Edwards

Ralph Nelson	Director
Martin Jurow	Producer
Maurice Richlin	Screenwriter
Blake Edwards	Screenwriter
Larry Hampton	Special Effects,Special Effects
Carl Faulkner	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

An absorbing film that deserves to be much better known, Soldier in the Rain is a sometimes uneasy blend of comedy and drama that doesn't always quite come off, but has so much going for it that one is glad to overlook its flaws. A buddy picture set in the peacetime Army, Soldier is concerned with how a strong friendship can develop between two people of differing personalities and aims. Jackie Gleason and Steve McQueen are different types, and the fact that they have such a strong bond may at first seem unlikely, but as the film progresses it somehow seems natural and inevitable. Blake Edwards and Martin Richlin have done an excellent job of adapting William Goldman's novel, and together with director Ralph Nelson have opted to emphasize the character aspects of the material over the plot. This does make the story seem a bit fuzzy and haphazard in places, and the climax is perhaps not set up as carefully as it might have been; however, the richness of the character study makes up for this. Most importantly, the film gives Jackie Gleason the opportunity to demonstrate what a truly gifted and unique performer he was. As expected, Gleason handles the comedic aspects of the role like the true comic he is. But many forget that the actor was a skillful dramatic performer as well, and he shines throughout here, using his underlying vulnerability and tenderness to extremely good effect. He's especially good in his scenes with Tuesday Weld, who also turns in another sterling performance. McQueen, unfortunately, doesn't match his co-stars; his character is a bit over-the-top, but McQueen forces the issue, and he overplays the comedy something terrible. Much better are supporting players such as Tom Poston and, in a very small role, Adam West. Soldier is hard to find, but worth searching out.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler