Never So Few *** (1959, Frank Sinatra, Gina Lollobrigida, Peter Lawford, Steve McQueen, Richard Johnson, Paul Henreid, Brian Donlevy, Dean Jones, Charles Bronson) – Classic Movie Review 11,637

Director John Sturges’s 1959 CinemaScope Metrocolor war film Never So Few [Campaign Burma] stars Frank Sinatra as Captain Tom C Reynolds, Allied leader of a tiny but stalwart band fighting the Japanese in Burma in 1943.

US captain Reynolds and British captain Danny De Mortimer (Richard Johnson) are joint commanders of a unit of American and British forces under the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), who join with the native Kachin to hold back the Japanese Army, with guidance from Kachin leader Nautaung (Philip Ahn),

This doughty brew of adventure and love in wartime succeeds on the expert acting and handling without being especially convincing or distinguished. Sinatra’s character is understandably overwhelmed by the beauty of arms dealer Nikko Regas (Paul Henreid)’s lover Carla Vesari (Gina Lollobrigida).

It provided an early career boost for Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson, whom Sturges recalled for The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape.

Millard Kaufman’s screenplay is loosely based on a real OSS Detachment 101 incident recorded in a 1957 novel by Tom T Chamales.

This is a 1943 picture of Frank Sinatra, who died on May 14, 1998, of a heart attack, aged 82.

The cast are Frank Sinatra as Captain Tom Reynolds, Gina Lollobrigida as Carla Vesari, Peter Lawford as Captain Grey Travis, Steve McQueen as Corporal Bill Ringa, Richard Johnson as Captain Danny De Mortimer, Paul Henreid as Nikko Regas, Brian Donlevy as General Sloan, Dean Jones as Sergeant Jim Norby, Charles Bronson as Sergeant John Danforth, Philip Ahn as leader of the Kachin, Nautaung, Robert Bray as Colonel Fred Parkson, Kipp Hamilton as Margaret Fitch, John Hoyt, Whit Bissell, Richard Lupino and Ross Elliott, plus uncredited roles by renowned Asian actors Mako as Soldier in Hospital, George Takei as Soldier in Hospital and James Hong as General Chao.

Sinatra’s character is based on a real OSS officer and, later, sheriff of Sangamon County, Illinois, US Navy Lt Meredith Rhule.

Sinatra took the role of Corporal Bill Ringa away from his Rat Pack buddy Sammy Davis Jr after he mildly criticised him in a radio interview and gave it to McQueen. Sinatra later dumped Peter Lawford from Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) after he failed to deliver his brother-in-law John F Kennedy for a stay at Sinatra’s house, and never spoke to him again.

The film cost a high $3,480,000, and was a hit, taking $5,270,000, but it resulted in a loss to MGM of $1,155,000.

It was career making moment for McQueen, who grabbed the film’s best reviews. In a 1967 re-release McQueen’s credit was moved above the title.

Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,637

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