In 1955, John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy brought to life Mister Roberts, a war dramedy set in the final months of World War II. Starring Henry Fonda as the titular Mister Roberts, the film follows a WWII naval officer stuck aboard a supply ship, frustrated with his lack of action while his fellow sailors dream of shore leave. James Cagney plays the ship’s tyrannical captain, determined to keep his crew in line, while Jack Lemmon and William Powell round out the ensemble as shipmates who help and hinder Roberts’ aspirations in equal measure.

During these waning days of war, Mister Roberts explores the growing tensions on board the cargo ship Reluctant as its restless crew reaches a breaking point. Between idle conversations, minor acts of rebellion, and distant glimpses of a new hospital staffed with nurses—much to the crew’s delight—the men find themselves caught in a waiting game with an inevitable conclusion.

I first saw Mister Roberts back in the early days of Netflix, when DVDs were still being shipped to mailboxes. My dad and I watched a lot of classic films together, and while I vaguely remembered seeing this one, two things stood out upon rewatch: Henry Fonda’s commanding yet frustrated performance and the infamous potted palm tree. What I had forgotten, however, was just how bawdy the humor could be. While that may be expected for a group of sailors stranded aboard a ship for months, the comedy often veers into Porky’s-style antics (not a compliment). That said, some of the humor does work. The film’s opening narration immediately reminded me of the over-the-top deliveries from Police Academy (a compliment), setting the stage for a film that shifts between clever banter and broader slapstick.

Henry Fonda, William Powell, and Jack Lemmon in “Mister Roberts” (1955)

The real heart of the film, for me, is the relationship between Fonda’s Roberts and Powell’s Doc, whose witty yet thoughtful exchanges offer a nice contrast to the more chaotic energy elsewhere. Unfortunately, we don’t stay in that dynamic for long before the focus shifts to Jack Lemmon’s Ensign Pulver—a character with big talk but little follow-through. Confession time: My only other exposure to Jack Lemmon before this was Some Like It Hot (I know, I have catching up to do), and even there, I preferred Tony Curtis’ performance. In Mister Roberts, Lemmon comes on strong—maybe too strong. His exaggerated delivery takes some getting used to, and making Pulver an over-the-top womanizer didn’t help either. While I know that’s the script, it made the character harder to root for than I suspect was intended.

Though Mister Roberts is largely a comedy, its dramatic moments resonate the most for me. Cagney’s Captain Morton looms large over the film, rarely seen in the first-half but always felt, and when he finally clashes with Roberts, the film reaches its most compelling stretch. Seeing Henry Fonda lose his cool is almost startling—his signature calm, rational demeanor gives way to genuine bluster, making for one of his most unique performances. Was this his best acting moment? I’m not sure. But it works in the moment, making you fully believe in his frustration and his deep, almost reluctant love for the misfit crew.

William Powell in “Mister Roberts” (1955)

If you haven’t seen Mister Roberts before, you might predict where it’s headed, but that doesn’t lessen the impact. Looking back, its ending feels natural, though it’s a reminder of how differently dramedies were structured in the past. Today, films like the Coen Brothers’ work often lean 30% comedy, 70% drama, whereas Mister Roberts flips that ratio. Even compared to a film like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest—which similarly pits a rebellious figure against an oppressive authority—Mister Roberts feels lighter in tone despite its heavier moments. That balance ultimately worked for me, even though not all of the humor landed. Remove the war setting, and you could easily see Cagney’s Captain Morton as an insufferable middle manager in an office or retail job, which makes the film’s triumphant moments all the more satisfying.

Despite some dated humor, Mister Roberts remains an engaging blend of comedy and drama, driven by strong performances from Henry Fonda, James Cagney, and William Powell. While the film is certainly showing its age, if you enjoy classic Hollywood films with witty dialogue and heartfelt moments, this is definitely worth a watch.