History of Mister Roberts (1955 film) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 1, 2026

Mister Roberts (1955) is a comedy-drama film starring Henry Fonda as Lieutenant Roberts, yearning for combat duty away from the backwater supply ship, the USS Reluctant, in the Pacific during World War II. He clashes with the tyrannical Captain Morton (James Cagney), who denies all transfer requests. Roberts brokers deals, like securing the crew liberty, to alleviate their boredom. Ensign Pulver (Jack Lemmon) is the ship's lazy, scheming cargo officer. Doc (William Powell) acts as a wise confidant. Roberts eventually secures a transfer after promising to cease his insubordination, but shortly after achieving his dream, he is killed in action.

1946: Publication of Mister Roberts novel

In 1946, the novel "Mister Roberts" was published, upon which the 1955 film was based.

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1948: Mister Roberts Broadway Play

In 1948, the Broadway play "Mister Roberts" was released, which served as a basis for the 1955 film adaptation.

August 1954: Hewell departs for Midway Island

In August 1954, specifically on 28 August, the ship Hewell arrived at the Naval Base on Midway Island to assist in filming the Warner Brothers movie "Mister Roberts".

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1955: Release of Mister Roberts film

In 1955, the American comedy-drama film "Mister Roberts" was released, directed by John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy. It featured an all-star cast, including Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, and Jack Lemmon and was based on the 1946 novel and 1948 Broadway play of the same name. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, with Lemmon winning Best Supporting Actor.

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1964: Release of Ensign Pulver film sequel

In 1964, "Mister Roberts" was followed by a film sequel titled "Ensign Pulver", starring Robert Walker Jr. as Pulver. It also featured Burl Ives, Walter Matthau, Larry Hagman, and Jack Nicholson.

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1965: Premiere of Mister Roberts TV series

In 1965, the original film "Mister Roberts" was the basis for a TV series of the same name, which lasted one season.

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1982: Fonda publishes autobiography

In 1982, Henry Fonda published his autobiography, "My Life," in which he praised the movie "Mister Roberts" but expressed that he believed the play was even better.

1984: Mister Roberts remade for television

In 1984, the film "Mister Roberts" was remade for television as a live telecast, primarily in the style of a stage play.

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1984: Death of William Powell

William Powell, who appeared in "Mister Roberts", died in 1984 at the age of 91.

1986: Death of James Cagney

James Cagney died in 1986. Jack Lemmon and James Cagney began a friendship during the production of "Mister Roberts" that lasted until Cagney's death in 1986.

1994: Controversy regarding the ship used in filming Mister Roberts

In 1994, an article in the newsletter of the Keyport, Washington Naval Undersea Warfare Center, sparked a controversy by claiming that IX-308, not Hewell, was used in the filming of "Mister Roberts".

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