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Imitation General
Imitation General
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	George Marshall
Written by	William Bowers
Based on	Imitation General; 1956 short story; by William Chamberlain
Produced by	William B. Hawks
Starring	Glenn Ford; Red Buttons; Taina Elg
Cinematography	George J. Folsey
Edited by	Harold F. Kress
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date	August 20, 1958;
Running time	88 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$944,000
Box office	$3,165,000

Imitation General is a 1958 American black-and-white comedy war film in CinemaScope, directed by George Marshall, produced by William B. Hawks, and starring Glenn Ford, Red Buttons, and Taina Elg. The film, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is based on a short story of the same name by William Chamberlain.

Plot

In the aftermath of a big battle during World War II, Americans Brigadier General Charles Lane, Master Sergeant Murphy "Murph" Savage, and Corporal Chan Derby are cut off behind enemy lines. The general takes over a farmhouse belonging to annoyed Frenchwoman Simone. Lane determines that there is a gap in the American lines and decides to organize a defense from whatever stragglers he can gather together. Shortly afterwards, however, he is killed saving Murph's life.

The first American soldier to show up, Corporal Terry Sellers, mistakes Murph for Lane, as Murph is holding the general's helmet. This gives Murph an idea. Recalling Lane's assessment that leadership is desperately needed to rally the disorganized troops, Murph masquerades as the general, with Derby and Simone's reluctant help. Murph manages to repulse a couple of attacks spearheaded by German tanks, all the while avoiding Private Orville Hutchmeyer, who knows Murph and holds a grudge against him.

At the end of the engagement, Murph is knocked out by shrapnel, allowing him to "die" and resume his real identity.

Cast

Glenn Ford as MSgt. Murphy Savage
Red Buttons as Cpl. Chan Derby
Taina Elg as Simone
Dean Jones as Cpl. Terry Sellers
Kent Smith as Brig. Gen. Charles Lane
Tige Andrews as Pvt. Orville Hutchmeyer
John Wilder as Lt. Jeff Clayton
Ralph Votrian as American Pfc.

Box office

According to MGM records, the film earned $1,915,000 in the US and Canada^[2] and $1,250,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $1,095,000.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
^ "Top Grossers of 1958". Variety. 7 January 1959. p. 48. Please note figures are for US and Canada only and are domestic rentals accruing to distributors as opposed to theatre gross