Soldier in the Rain (1963) - A quirky comedy matching two unlikely buddies leading to an even more unlikely romance. Steve McQueen in a very unusual role for him as a simple minded E-5 SGT who looks up to the mature and sophisticated E-8 MSG, career soldier played very well by Jackie Gleason. The younger soldier is just marking time in the service and is constantly coming up with get rich quick plans for when he leaves the service, which is in a very short time. The older soldier had a rough childhood, served in the Army in WWII and the army is his home and only family. The contrast between the two men is well and artfully illustrated when they are walking through their base and the "Retreat" bugle call is heard and the younger soldier, along with other younger soldiers scurry away, saying "come on Slaughter, its almost retreat" and the older soldier says that he will meet him in a minute, comes to attention and salutes as the bugler plays "To the Colors" as the flag is lowered.
The unlikely romance occurs when the younger soldier fixes the older one, who is over forty, with a high school senior (the delectable Tuesday Weld) in an effort to entice his friend to join him in leaving the army.
A good film that I had never heard of before. Apparently it was ignored to some extent since it was released while the US was morning the murder of JFK.
6/8