At War with the Army



At War with the Army is a 1950 American musical comedy film directed by Hal Walker, released by Paramount, starring the comedy team of Martin and Lewis and introducing Polly Bergen. Filmed from July through August 1949, the film premiered in San Francisco on New Year's Eve 1950, before opening nationwide on January 17, 1951. It was re-released in 1958 by OMAT Pictures.

Although filmed before My Friend Irma Goes West (1950), it was held back until the sequel to Martin and Lewis' smash film debut My Friend Irma (1949) was released.

Plot
In a United States Army base in Kentucky at the end of 1944, during World War II, First Sergeant Vic Puccinelli and Private First Class Alvin Korwin, who were partners in a nightclub song-and-dance act, join the Army.

Puccinelli wants to be transferred from his dull job to active duty overseas, but is refused transfer and is to be promoted to Warrant Officer. Korwin wants a pass to see his wife and new baby. In addition, they have to rehearse for the base talent show and avoid the wrath of Alvin's platoon sergeant, Sergeant McVey.

Along the way they both sing a few songs, and they do an impression of Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald by recreating a scene from Going My Way (1944) for the talent show. Further complications include a Post Exchange worker who is pregnant, a company commander who gets all his information from his wife, a scheming supply sergeant, and a defective Coca-Cola machine.

Cast

 * Dean Martin as 1st Sgt. Vic Puccinelli
 * Jerry Lewis as PFC. Alvin Korwin
 * Mike Kellin as Sgt. McVey
 * Angela Greene as Mrs. Deborah Caldwell
 * Tommy Farrell as Cpl. Clark
 * Polly Bergen as Helen Palmer
 * Jean Ruth as Millie
 * William Mendrek as Capt. Ernest Caldwell
 * Douglas Evans as Col. Davis
 * Kenneth Forbes as 2nd Lt Davenport
 * Danny Dayton as Supply Sgt. Miller
 * Paul Livermore as Pvt. Jack Edwards
 * Frank Hyers as Cpl. Shaughnessy
 * Ty Perry as Lt. Terrey
 * Jimmie Dundee as Eddie
 * Dick Stabile as Pvt. Pokey
 * Dewey Robinson as Bartender
 * Joe Gray as Soldier

Production
When Martin and Lewis signed their film contract with Paramount Pictures, they were allowed to make one film "outside" the studio per year through their own company, York Productions. This film was made under that provision, with the stars taking a small salary in exchange for 90 percent of the film's profits.

However, upon its release, Martin and Lewis ended up in a long, drawn-out legal battle. After several years, they relinquished all financial interest in this film in exchange for not having to make any more of these "outside" ones. The copyright on this film was not renewed in 1977, resulting in its public domain status.

The film is based on a three act farcical play by James B. Allardice that ran for 151 performances from March 8, 1949 to July 16, 1949 with Mike Kellin and Kenneth Forbes repeating their roles. It was filmed at Corriganville Movie Ranch from July to August 1949.

The First Sergeant character, played on Broadway by Gary Merrill had his ethnicity changed for Dean Martin whilst two characters were combined for Lewis's character.

The producers opened up the play by adding a sequence of an absent without leave Lewis in drag fending off the amorous advances of his drunken platoon sergeant, a sequence on an obstacle course and the addition of several songs written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.

The film was released during the Korean War when Conscription in the United States was reintroduced.

One of the later Martin and Lewis films, Sailor Beware (1952) also directed by Hal Walker and co-written by James Allardice had a working title of At Sea with the Navy.

Songs
Lyrics by Mack David Music by Jerry Livingston Sung by Jerry Lewis and cast
 * Beans

Lyrics by Mack David Music by Jerry Livingston Sung by Dean Martin and Polly Bergen
 * You and Your Beautiful Eyes

Lyrics by Mack David Music by Jerry Livingston Sung by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
 * Tonda Wanda Hoy

Music and Lyrics by James Royce Shannon Sung by Dean Martin
 * Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral

Copyright status
This film's copyright was registered to York Pictures Corp. and Screen Associates, Inc. on January 23, 1951 (LP 679), and was renewed on December 7, 1979 (RE43009). However, the film has since lapsed into the public domain as the copyright holders failed to renew their copyright in the 28th year of publication pursuant to the Copyright Act of 1909.

Home media
As this film is in the public domain, there have been at least a dozen DVD releases from a variety of companies comprising many different quality prints. In July 2014, Film Chest released a restored version in HD.