The D.I.
Directed by Jack Webb
Written by James Lee Barrett
1957/USA
Mark VII Ltd
First viewing/YouTube rental
[box] TSgt Moore: [shouting] If your brains were made of dynamite you couldn’t blow your nose![/box]
Who knew boot camp could be so much fun? For the witnesses that is …
Gunnery Sgt. Jim Moore (Jack Webb) is a tough-as-nails Marine Drill Instructor whose job is to change boys to men. He does this with rigid discipline and intimidation. Privately, he smiles at the hapless recruits. All except one of them, Private Owens. Owens has potential but constantly screws up and malingers, hoping to get discharged. Moore refuses to give up or let up on him. Moore’s superior is sick of hearing about the private’s latest misconduct and threatens to discharge him if he is not whipped into shape in three days.
In the meantime, Moore, whose life has been the Marines, starts a relationship with a lady who doesn’t put up with much guff herself.
This movie is really more or less a series of episodes and a chance to bask in Webb’s fantastic performance and the rapid-fire one-liners. I don’t think of myself as enjoying watching people browbeat each other but I was smiling the entire time. Totally enjoyable and recommended.
Montage of fun, fun clips
