Captain Newman M.D. (1963)

In a 1944 Arizona army psychiatric base, a doctor (Gregory Peck) deals with post traumatic stress disorder which is a relatively new concept. Based on the novel by Leo Rosten and directed by David Miller (LONELY ARE THE BRAVE). While I give the film an A for good intentions, the execution leaves much to be desired. While I haven't read Rosten's novel, I have a hard time believing the sophomoric humor was so prevalent in the book. The film balances serious issues and complex situations with lame humor. For example, a mental patient's tragic suicide is followed by a comedic scene with sheep invading an airplane landing field. It comes across as insensitive. That pretty much sums up the film: tragic, comic schtick, tragic, more laughs, tragic, lame humor etc. Some of the dramatic situations seem contrived and some of the over the top acting (like Eddie Albert) doesn't help matters any. There's Peck for the dramatic stuff and Tony Curtis as an orderly for the comedic stuff but Martin and Lewis they're not. The best performance comes from Robert Duvall who underacts which is a relief. With Angie Dickinson, James Gregory, Bethel Leslie, Larry Storch, Jane Withers, Dick Sargent and in a "Quick, gimme an Oscar" performance, Bobby Darin, who didn't get an Oscar, just a nomination.