Tanks a Million

A train station information clerk (Tracy) who reads all the time and has a photographic memory is drafted into the army and sent to the dusty Camp Carver. Because he knows virtually all of the regulations and procedures, he is quickly promoted to Sergeant and is put in charge of the men he was drafted with. A sincere, well-meaning know it all, he irritates all those around him including his previous drill Sergeant Ames (Sawyer), who tries to get Tracy's character Dodo Doubleday in trouble but always fails in doing so. Doubleday gives a rousing speech nationally broadcast on radio, and because he is in the uniform of the camp's Commanding Officer (played by Gleason), all assume that it is actually the CO. The speech was such a success that Doubleday now has the CO's full support (much to Sergeant Ames' chagrin). Yes; the plot is as ridiculous as it sounds. The movie is, however very entertaining and so silly, it's fun. It was particularly nice to see so many favorite character actors, especially James Gleason. I had never heard of William Tracy but he did have a certain flair. This little movie is better than most sitcom episodes shown on television today.