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Imitation General

  • 1958
  • Approved
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
760
YOUR RATING
Red Buttons, Glenn Ford, and Taina Elg in Imitation General (1958)
ComedyWar

Sergeant Murphy Savage impersonates a dead general in order to inspire the demoralized troops in fighting their way out of Nazi encirclement.Sergeant Murphy Savage impersonates a dead general in order to inspire the demoralized troops in fighting their way out of Nazi encirclement.Sergeant Murphy Savage impersonates a dead general in order to inspire the demoralized troops in fighting their way out of Nazi encirclement.

  • Director
    • George Marshall
  • Writers
    • William Bowers
    • William Chamberlain
  • Stars
    • Glenn Ford
    • Red Buttons
    • Taina Elg
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    760
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George Marshall
    • Writers
      • William Bowers
      • William Chamberlain
    • Stars
      • Glenn Ford
      • Red Buttons
      • Taina Elg
    • 17User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos7

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    Top cast30

    Edit
    Glenn Ford
    Glenn Ford
    • MSgt. Murphy Savage
    Red Buttons
    Red Buttons
    • Cpl. Chan Derby
    Taina Elg
    Taina Elg
    • Simone
    Dean Jones
    Dean Jones
    • Cpl. Terry Sellers
    Kent Smith
    Kent Smith
    • Brig. Gen. Charles Lane
    Tige Andrews
    Tige Andrews
    • Pvt. Orville Hutchmeyer
    John Wilder
    John Wilder
    • Lt. Jeff Clayton
    Ralph Votrian
    Ralph Votrian
    • American Pfc.
    William Barker
    • German #1
    • (uncredited)
    Paul Busch
    Paul Busch
    • German Tank Commander
    • (uncredited)
    Barry Cahill
    Barry Cahill
    • Jeep Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Bob Dennis
    • Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Di Reda
    Joe Di Reda
    • Soldier #2
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Francesco
    • Straggler #2
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Harvey Jr.
    • Soldier #4
    • (uncredited)
    Robert 'Buzz' Henry
    Robert 'Buzz' Henry
    • Tank Commander #1
    • (uncredited)
    Lester Hoyle
    • German Machine Gunner
    • (uncredited)
    Morgan Jones
    Morgan Jones
    • Medic
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • George Marshall
    • Writers
      • William Bowers
      • William Chamberlain
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Murph's Thompson sub-machine gun appears to be made up of parts from both an M1928A1 and an M1 Thompson. The gun has a M1928A1 receiver and Cutts Compensator muzzle, but with an M1's "L"-type rear peep sight instead of the M1928A1's adjustable Lyman sight, and an M1's smooth barrel, which lacks the M1928A1's cooling fins.
    • Goofs
      The last German soldier from the observation post who fires on "General Savage". Is firing an M-1 Garand rifle. German soldiers carried the Karabiner 98k, a bolt action rifle. It's highly unlikely that a German soldier would pick up an American rifle; ammunition would be hard to come by.
    • Quotes

      Cpl. Chan Derby: Funny time to take a bath - don't she know there's a war going on?

      MSgt. Murphy Savage: That girl is French - they're great believers that life must go on.

    • Connections
      Referenced in L'imitation du cinéma (1960)

    User reviews17

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Glenn Ford and Red Buttons at their best.

    Imitation General is an absolutely hilarious tale set during World War II. Glenn Ford's portrayal as a Army sergeant who impersonates an officer is well worth seeing. Supporting roles played by Red Buttons, Dean Jones and Tige Andrews add to the mayhem. This is classic comedy from the late 1950's and should be released to video for the next generation to enjoy.
    • bsnyder-3
    • Feb 21, 2001
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 29, 1958 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Kurnaz Çavuş
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $944,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Red Buttons, Glenn Ford, and Taina Elg in Imitation General (1958)
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