Private War of Major Benson | 
| Director: Jerry Hopper
Actors: Charlton Heston, Julie Adams, William Demarest, Tim Hovey, Nana Bryant
Studio: Universal Studios
List Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $5.91
You Save: $9.07 (61%)
New (2) Used (15) Collectible (6) from $5.91
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 8828
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Hifi Sound, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 104 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6304436998
UPC: 096898257039
EAN: 9786304436998
ASIN: 6304436998
Theatrical Release Date: 1955
Release Date: May 27, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Hooah! October 4, 2008
Kona (Emerald City)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Major Barney Benson (Charlton Heston) is considered too tough on his men and has said some embarrassing things about the army in a magazine article. The top brass decide to put him on inactive status to cool off so he becomes the new commandant of a boys' military school. But the Major is too hard of his young charges, too, until he sees the light thanks to the pretty school doctor (Julie Adams) and a tiny cadet (Tim Hovey).
Heston's considerable charm and comedic talents make this a sweet, feel-good family film. He booms out the orders to men and boys alike, but, of course, has a heart of gold. Adams isn't quite on Heston's acting level, but Tim Hovey steals all his scenes as the smallest boy at school. He was absolutely adorable and I loved his performance.
The movie is firmly rooted in the fifties and can sometimes get corny, but it's still worth watching thanks to the wonderful Charlton Heston. He's ably supported by many good actors including a young Sal Mineo and Milburn Stone ("Doc" from Gunsmoke). This is a wholesome movie all ages can enjoy.
Great Comedy classic with Sal Mineo March 17, 2004
John Seger (Los Angeles, CA USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
One of the brightest comedies of the 1950's,"The Private War of Major Benson", features brilliant performances by Charlton Heston, Julie Adams, and "scene stealer", SAL MINEO, in one of his first featured roles.Heston is "Major "Bernard Benson. A tough battle-scarred officer whose inappropriate comments to a magazine almost get him kicked out of the service. Instead, as a last resort, he is transferred to the Sheridan Military Academy for boys, aged 6-16. Demanding and unsympathetic is how he seems towards the boys, and they retaliate towards Benson. And the school nurse, Kay (Adams), is concerned that Major Benson's unorthodox methods have much to be desired. Many HILARIOUS moments fill this uproariously funny film. Eventually, nurse Kay falls for the stoic, yet big-hearted Benson. A young SAL MINEO steals the film, as Cadet Colonel Sylvester Dusik. He gains much respect for Major Benson, and has some truly comedic moments. Especially in the scene where Sylvester tells the training troups, in a frenzy, "Does everybody in this school have two left feet? Alright you guys, you're gonna keep on drilling till you do it right!" The delivery of these lines, shows Sal also had a terrific flair for comedy, and shows why he was such a meteoric rising young star! Also notable, is 6 year old actor, Tim Hovey, adorable in the role as Tiger, one of the youngest cadets at the academy. Directed by Jerry Hopper, "The Private War of Major Benson" is a true comedy classic.
Gentle Comedy Scores a Touchdown! August 12, 2002
janet whitcomb (CA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Charlton Heston is generally thought of as the hero of epic-style films. But in this family-style comedy, filmed after The Ten Commandents and before Ben-Hur, he proves he has comedy chops. As a hard-driving Army major, he is "punished" by being sent to work at a boy's milatary school. Perhaps unique to the times, the love interest of this film is not, as Major Benson first supposes, a nurse . . . but a full-fledged doctor, beautifully played by Julie Adams. A trove of child actors from that period, plus wonderful William Demarest and quite a few other recognizable familiar faces (including a very young David Jansen, in the first few minutes) round out the cast. A good script and delightful theme song (used also for another Tim Hovey movie, Toy Tiger) make this a very enjoyable experience.
Gentle Comedy Scores a Touchdown! August 12, 2002
janet whitcomb (CA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Charlton Heston is generally thought of as the hero of epic-style films. But in this family-style comedy, filmed after The Ten Commandents and before Ben-Hur, he proves he has comedy chops. As a hard-driving Army major, he is "punished" by being sent to work at a boy's milatary school. Perhaps unique to the times, the love interest of this film is not, as Major Benson first supposes, a nurse . . . but a full-fledged doctor, beautifully played by Julie Adams. A trove of child actors from that period, plus wonderful William Demarest and quite a few other recognizable familiar faces (including a very young David Jansen, in the first few minutes) round out the cast. A good script and delightful theme song (used also for another Tim Hovey movie, Toy Tiger) make this a very enjoyable experience.
 Never mind Charlton Heston... September 16, 1999
3 out of 18 found this review helpful
It's pretty boy Sal Mineo who's hard to take your eyes from..he was so adorable!..I would've let him keep his shoes under my bed any ol' time!...Handsome Harry From Honolulu
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