calvinnme I am confused by the title and the synopses that say the protagonist wants out of the army to get back to the girl he left behind. That is not at all what is going on here.First, this is just a weird film. The first third of it has a "Leave It To Beaver" like voice over complete with goofy light music talking about how easy youngsters have it in this period of peace and prosperity - the mid 1950s - and then the narrator says, let's go meet them. This voice-over and music continues until into the basic training part of the film and appropriately disappears.Eventually we land upon Andy Shaeffer (Tab Hunter), the well off son of an attorney and a mother who just won't stop smothering Andy. Don't get me wrong, he seems to like being smothered! He is unbelievably "pinned" (pre-engaged back in the day) to Susan Daniels (Natalie Wood), who has a good work ethic. They are both college students. She asks Andy what he wants out of life. He says he wants to avoid the draft board, so he'll keep going to college until he is too old to be drafted, then let dad set him up in a cushy job. Surprisingly this shirker's attitude does not induce projectile vomiting in Susan, or at least a break up. What does start a fight is when he borrows her car, promises to pick her up so she can get to class, and then arrives as class is ending. Their fight causes him to fail a couple of examinations, and that gets him kicked out of college, and that gets him drafted.So Andy is a guy in the service who would rather do something else. Well that describes about 90% of the fellows who got drafted from 1945-1975. He proceeds to be a real jerk, talking back to drill sergeants, getting into fights with the rest of the platoon, and writing a love letter to his girl when he is supposed to be looking out for civilians who might wander into the firing range. Now Andy Griffith as Will Stockdale in "No Time For Sergeants" and Gomer Pyle as a marine both were well meaning and enthusiastic screw ups. They wound up on latrine duty and singing with a bucket over their head, respectively. But for some reason the non comms in charge give this guy unrealistic pass after pass until finally he makes a mistake so bad that he is offered a discharge - a dishonorable one. He asks where does he sign, not caring that this is the same as a felony conviction on his record. How will all of this turn out? Watch and find out.The only thing that makes this a 4 instead of a 2/10 are all of the supporting players who give outstanding performances. There is Jessie Roy Landis as Andy's mom who just can't get that Andrew has to let go of her breast and eat solid food sometime. There is Jim Backus and David Jannsen as officers, and most prominent is Murray Hamilton as Sgt. Clyde who gives Andy chance after chance. For some reason he believes in this guy. There is Henry Jones as Hanson, a WWII vet who has failed as a civilian and rejoined the service to try to straighten himself out, plus he missed the camaraderie of the army. Finally there is James Garner as just another soldier who still manages to impress. Natalie Wood looks cute here with her Italian cut, but I just don't believe it when she says she loves awful Andy.

DKosty123 This movie can't seem to decide if it is a comedy or drama. Tab Hunter's role though well acted is strange. It seems Hunter can join the Army & tell the Army what he wants. At least the script is consistent here as his mother comes to visit him & does the same thing.Natalie Wood is 18 years old when she does this movie & looks great even in the frumpy dresses she gets to wear in some sequences. You can not hide a hot 18 year old babe unless you keep her off camera. The rest of the script is a veritable who's who of character actors.James Garner has a small role in his 3rd career film. David Jansen has a small before Fugitive role as an officer. Norman Fell (Stanley Roper) though I can't find him credited is in quite a few sequences. Raymond Bailey (Milburn Drysdale on Beverly Hillbillies) is here as well as Jim Bakus (Thurston Howell on Gilligan's Island) is here too. The interesting thing here more than the plot is seeing all this talent on screen trying to bring off a weak script.At times, the script tries to be funny & at times like when kids almost get blasted when they wander on to the artillery range, the film gets a little dramatic. I think if the film had headed more for comedy, especially with this support cast, it would have been better.

m-lucas12 I saw this movie the week that I returned home from South Viet Nam. I have attempted to purchase a copy of the move; however, no one seems to have any knowledge of how I can get a copy of the movie. I can not find it in Cerritos, California. I would highly, recommend the movie to any movie buff who wishes to just enjoy a good movie without blood and violence. Tab Hunter is an excellent actor and he plays this role of a young man who does not desire to remain in the army perfectly. His immature love for his girlfriend is excellent for thought provoking material. The military life is portrayed in a realistic manner. This movie will aid any young man who is currently in the military in making the adjustment from civilian to military life.

gwbriggs This is a very entertaining drama/comedy about a young man who flunked out of college and ran his only remaining option - the Army. Andy Schaeffer had not yet cut the silver string to his mother, yet he pictured himself as the picture of independence. His most difficult transition into Army life is presented in alternating serious and highly humorous veins. Filmed at Fort Ord, California, this picture featured a number of future stars, such as James Garner, David Janssen, Jim Backus, Tab Hunter, Natalie Wood, Alan King, and others. This will really spark the interest - and nostalgia - of any man who ever went through basic training, in any service. Well worth watching, and owning!