Which Iconic Henry Fonda Role Made Him Miserable?
Henry Fonda gave us many unforgettable characters over the years, from Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath to Juror No. 8 in 12 Angry Men. However, when it came time to portray one of his most familiar roles, the one he’d played night after night on stage, Fonda found himself at odds with it. In fact, he would later admit Mister Roberts — which was released 70 years ago, on July 30, 1955 — was the movie he liked the least in his entire career.
Fonda won every major acting honor, including the Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Tony. He starred opposite legends and worked with directors like John Ford and Alfred Hitchcock. But despite the critical acclaim Mister Roberts received, and the fact that it earned Jack Lemmon an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Fonda never warmed to it.
Everett Collection
“When you have done a play like I did Mister Roberts, and I did it for four years, you become a purist of that play,” he explained to Dick Cavett, according to Far Out Magazine. “Everybody that was part of that play, we hated the picture because it took liberties, the wrong kind of liberties.” Fonda thought of the film as an insult to the stage version, one that he’d dedicated years of his life to.
Everett Collection
The story of Mister Roberts began with a bestselling novel by Thomas Heggen and a hit Broadway play. Fonda originated the title role on stage and was so connected to the part that he returned to it for the film — but the movie’s troubled production left a bitter taste in his mouth. Initially, the production almost went in a different direction, calling Fonda too old for the part. but director John Ford insisted that Fonda be cast. However, things changed and Ford clashed with Fonda so fiercely that another director, Mervyn LeRoy, had to step in and finish the film.
The film was released in 1955, became a box office success and even earned a Best Picture nomination. Even so, Fonda never liked it and continued to talk about what a travesty it was. What do you think? Do you like the film or did you prefer the play as well?
Remind 
Collecting the 1950s
Aug. 2022
For fans of the Nifty Fifties enjoy this treasure trove of ’50s memorabilia.
Buy This Issue