At War with the Army (Musical Comedy, 1950)

At War with the Army is a musical comedy with a strong emphasis on slapstick humor and military satire. It’s a lighthearted, vaudeville-inspired romp typical of early 1950s Hollywood, blending song-and-dance numbers with broad comedic gags. As a vehicle for the comedy duo Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, it leans heavily on their contrasting personas—Martin’s smooth crooner and Lewis’s manic clown—making it a precursor to their later, more polished hits.
Plot
Set during World War II at an Army training base in Kentucky, the film follows two former nightclub performers now in uniform: First Sergeant Vic Puccinelli (Dean Martin) and Private First Class Alvin Korwin (Jerry Lewis). Vic, a slick and confident non-com, enjoys the perks of his rank, juggling a romance with WAC Corporal Millie (Polly Bergen) and dodging his clingy ex, Helen (Jean Ruth). Alvin, meanwhile, is a bumbling, homesick soldier desperate to see his wife and newborn, constantly botching drills and pestering Vic for a furlough.
The plot is a loose string of comedic vignettes: Alvin’s disastrous attempts at military discipline—like getting stuck in an obstacle course or mangling a soda machine—clash with Vic’s efforts to maintain order and charm the ladies. Their old nightclub act resurfaces when they’re roped into staging a camp show, leading to a chaotic performance where Alvin impersonates Vic in drag. Subplots involve Sergeant McVey (Mike Kell include Vic’s rivalry with Captain Caldwell (Robert Strauss) and Alvin’s run-ins with the gruff First Sergeant Miller (William Mendum). The film wraps with a big musical finale, “Tonda Wanda Hoy,” reuniting Vic and Alvin on stage, cementing their friendship despite the chaos.
It’s less about a tight narrative and more about showcasing Martin and Lewis’s chemistry, with plenty of physical comedy and crooning to keep the laughs and tunes flowing.
Cast
Dean Martin as Vic Puccinelli: The cool, laid-back straight man, Martin sings hits like “You and Your Beautiful Eyes” and oozes charm as the sergeant with a playboy streak.

Jerry Lewis as Alvin Korwin: The wild-eyed goofball, Lewis steals scenes with his high-pitched whining and pratfalls, marking his first starring role with Martin.

Mike Kellin as Sergeant McVey: A tough-but-fair NCO, Kellin adds dry humor as Vic’s exasperated rival.

Polly Bergen as Corporal Millie: Martin’s love interest, Bergen brings spunk and a few musical moments as a WAC.

Jimmie Dundee as Eddie: A dim-witted private, Dundee plays the fall guy for Lewis’s antics.

Robert Strauss as Captain Caldwell: The pompous base commander, Strauss hams it up as the butt of many jokes.

William Mendum as First Sergeant Miller: A stern drill instructor, Mendum’s gruffness fuels Lewis’s floundering.

Jean Ruth as Helen: Vic’s ex, Ruth adds a touch of melodrama to the romantic mix.

The cast is rounded out by bit players and extras, many uncredited, typical of the era’s low-budget comedies.
Fun Facts
Martin-Lewis Breakout: This was their third film together but the first where they were top-billed, cementing their duo status after smaller roles in My Friend Irma (1949).

Stage Roots: Adapted from a 1942 play by James B. Allardice, the film keeps its theatrical feel with static sets and a revue-style structure.

Budget Bargain: Made for about $500,000 by Fred F. Finklehoffe’s independent company, it was a hit, grossing over $3 million—proof of Martin and Lewis’s draw.

Public Domain: The copyright lapsed in 1977, making it widely available and a staple of cheap DVD bins.

Soda Machine Mishap: Lewis’s iconic scene breaking a soda fountain was improvised, showcasing his physical comedy chops.

Musical Highlights: Martin’s “Tonda Wanda Hoy” and “You and Your Beautiful Eyes” were penned by Mack David and Jerry Livingston, adding catchy earworms to the mix.

Behind-the-Scenes Tension: Martin and Lewis clashed with director Hal Walker over creative control, hinting at the ego battles that later split them in 1956.

Drag Act: Lewis’s cross-dressing bit as “Vic” in the finale nods to his vaudeville roots and became a recurring gag in their act.

At War with the Army is a breezy, silly showcase of Martin and Lewis at their early peak—less a story, more a riot of gags and tunes.