Captain Newman, M.D. (1963)

An absolute waste of money

A Disappointing Continuation

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Despite mid-1960's star power and an Oscar-nominated screenplay, "Captain Newman, M.D." has dated badly. Set in a military "cuckoo's nest" during World War II, the uneven comedy-drama swings from vignettes that depict the effects of combat fatigue to scenes of lame comedy that undercut the intended serious tone. Unfortunately, the dramatic scenes are often as unconvincing as the comedy is flat. Although several supporting performers show off their acting chops in brief hospital scenes, most come off as actors acting. Perhaps the scenes featuring then-recording idol Bobby Darin are most glaring; although Darin snagged a supporting actor Oscar nomination for his performance, his is a showy part that lacks depth, especially in contrast to the restrained performance from Gregory Peck as Captain Newman and a similarly underplayed part played by Angie Dickinson. Peck is particularly good in the lead, and he even survives a clichéd drunken scene with his dignity intact. Among the "cuckoos" in the military psych ward, two seasoned pros do stand out: Eddie Albert and Robert Duvall. Both actors play convincingly without the tempting "hamminess" displayed by many of the others. Tony Curtis also appears as an orderly, but his attempts at comedy are out of place and add little.Directed by David Miller, the see-saw drama to comedy to drama to comedy induces viewer whiplash and results in an uneven film that plods at times. A Christmas show finale seems like little more than padding and could have been cut to trim the running time. A choir of Italian prisoners of war singing "Hava Naguilla" during the Christmas show is something one of the ward patients could have dreamed up. "Captain Newman, M.D." is not a bad film, just disappointing given the credentials. Perhaps seen in the mid-1960's before films like "MASH" redefined service comedy-dramas, the film would have worked better. Contemporary audiences will likely find it old fashioned, but patient viewers will savor Peck's fine performance and his able support from Dickinson, Albert, and Duvall as well as a plethora of other fine players like Jane Withers, James Gregory, and Dick Sargent.

I recorded this, for some light-hearted relief as it was billed on ITV as a "romantic comedy classic". When I sat down to watch it, I was immediately drawn in by the narrative of the story and great acting from Gregory Peck. Eventually, Tony Curtis turns up and injects a modicum of humour, but it remained very far from comedy and even further from romance. Instead what I found was a poignant, sensitive, accurate portrayal of serious post-war mental illness that was handled delicately and realistically. For me, this was a positive as I'm fed up with the shock, horror, attention seeking treatment of modern Hollywood films. Indeed the whole film was a welcome change from the Too Fast Too Furious shovel-ware that constitutes modern entertainment. This had a story, a meaning and acting in spades, from all involved.If you're looking for romantic comedy, don't watch this! It's like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on an airbase, without the laughs, so if you liked that you'll like this.

This is a film with an outstanding cast: Gregory Peck (Capt. Josiah J. Newman, MD), Tony Curtis (Cpl. Jackson 'Jake' Leibowitz), Angie Dickenson (Lt. Francie Corum) and Robert Duvall (Capt. Paul Cabot Winston), to name a few. What is interesting is there are really two films in one. The first involves Dr. Newman trying to treat three patients Col. Norval Algate Bliss (Eddie Albert), Corporal Jim Tompkins (Bobby Darin), and Cabot, all of which have severe psychological disorders (The worst being Bliss who commits suicide). The other involves the relationship between Newman and Jake. It is very similar to the relationship that Curtis had with with Cary Grant in "Operation Petticoat", where his Lt. Holden was the comic con man serving under Lt. Commander Sherman. The only differences were the fact Jake is clearly Jewish, comes from a lower socio-economic background and they will both end up in a different setting then the career Navy men in "Petticoat." Essentially Jake will turn Newman's life upside down, and to be honest for the better. Newman is a career Army man, who never got promoted higher despite always doing the right thing (Such as trying to stop Bliss from active duty, because he is insane, or trying to go through correct channels to get needed things). Spoilers: He had an real eye for Francine because of looks and ability, and it was Jake who showed him how to get her, and she eventually becomes his fiancé. Jake also recommended that Newman quit the military and start his own practice, and when he mentioned it to Francine, she liked the idea. As she said "I want to be having babies." Finally when the Army realized what an asset he was, and wanted him to stay, with a promotion he said no. I think a big part of his decision involved his patients: Bliss in part, died because of the difficulty in overcoming bureaucracy to get him in a hospital. Tompkins who although gets cured by Newman, ends up getting killed in the war,and to make it worse, has no next of kin, so he named Newman. Last but not least is Winston, who Newman admitted to his wife Helene (Bethel Leslie) "That I can't cure him only you can." "Including not dressing like an old maid." Note: Winston came from a upscale family and their marriage was political, and he did not believe she really loved him, and that his mental illness and hiding for two years shamed the family. At first she is offended, but she realizes Newman is right,and listened to him. So, although there is a long way back for Winston, the film shows he is on his way (One scene where Jake has Itallian POW's singing "Hava Nagila" and both Winston's are smiling is proof). Taking this back to Newman, he knew that he would be better off having some happiness in his life with Francie (He particularly did not want to end up like Tompkins (What happened with him shook him up)), and by bringing Jake with him (Jake was the one who saw the problems in Thompkins), he could help even more people than before. It is an interesting film. 8/10 stars.

I fear that I'm writing this out of fond memories - I was reminded of this film in looking up Gregory Peck, and haven't seen it in years, but I have a vivid memory of it. Being a reluctant fan of Peck - Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn?!?!?!?!?, but he was just so imminently likable! Having seen several, but by no means all, of his films, I would have to say this is one of the best. Atticus Finch is his #1 role, but this is a fine movie overall. Great ensemble cast, highs of humor and highs of sadness. It is intentionally claustrophobic, being set inside a small, stuffy hospital. It is the beauty of the film that you can feel the tightness, smell the smells, and know all of the characters as though you were there in a way few films accomplish. When we do go outside, it is like being an uncaged bird, but then it is also bleak and lonely, being an isolated location in the desert. Probably somewhat obscure at this point - my provider doesn't stock it - but worth seeking out, I think.