The Red Badge of Courage (1951) starring Audie Murphy,
Andy Devine, Robert Easton Burke, Douglas Dick. Directed by John Huston.
Screenplay by John Huston, Albert Band. Based on the novel The Red Badge of
Courage by Stephen Crane (New York, 1895). Produced by Gottfried Reinhardt.
Run time: 69 minutes. Black and White. USA. Drama, War
Texan born Audie Murphy enlisted in the Army as soon as he
could after the attack on Pearl Harbor at the start of World War II. He first
saw action in the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily; then in 1944 he participated
in the Battle of Anzio, the liberation of Rome, and the invasion of southern
France. Murphy fought at Montélimar and led his men on a successful assault at
L'Omet quarry near Cleurie in northeastern France in October. He received every
American combat award for valor available at the time of his service, including
the Medal of Honor. He also received recognitions from France and Belgium.
As a result, he made the cover of Life magazine on July 16, 1945. That cover brought him to the attention of actor James Cagney, who had recently formed a production company with his brother William. They gave him training in acting, voice and dance, but never cast him in any production. A personal disagreement ended the arrangement in 1947.
