Mister Roberts - Origin Story

The origin story of the movie “Mister Roberts“ can be traced back to the 1946 Broadway play of the same name. The play was written by Thomas Heggen and Joshua Logan, based on Heggen’s own experiences serving in the United States Navy during World War II. Heggen had previously written a novel titled “Mister Roberts“ in 1946, which he adapted into a play with the help of Logan. The play premiered on Broadway on February 18, 1948, and was an immediate success. It ran for 1,157 performances, establishing itself as a popular and critically acclaimed production. The play won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1948 and featured a talented cast that included Henry Fonda in the title role, along with David Wayne and Joshua Logan himself. Due to the play’s popularity, it caught the attention of Hollywood studios, and plans were set in motion to adapt it into a feature film. Warner Bros. acquired the rights to the play and began development on the movie adaptation. Henry Fonda, who