Mister Roberts(1955) Page

: Captain Morton’s prized possession is a palm tree he keeps on deck, which serves as a symbol of his authority. In a fit of frustration with the Captain’s tyranny, Roberts eventually throws the tree overboard.

Roberts is eventually transferred to a destroyer, realizing his dream of seeing combat. However, the film ends on a poignant note when the crew receives word that Roberts was killed during a kamikaze attack. Spurred by Roberts’ legacy of courage, the previously timid Ensign Pulver finally confronts Captain Morton, throwing the replacement palm tree overboard and taking up Roberts' mantle as the defender of the crew. Mister Roberts (1955) - TCM Mister Roberts(1955)

The crew of the Reluctant suffers from extreme boredom and the Captain's refusal to grant shore liberty. Roberts acts as a buffer between the crew and the Captain, often sacrificing his own interests to improve their morale. He shares quarters with the lazy, womanizing Ensign Frank Pulver ( Jack Lemmon ), who goes to great lengths to avoid the Captain entirely. The ship’s medical officer, known simply as "Doc" ( William Powell ), provides a cynical but wise perspective on the internal power struggle. The Bargain and the Palm Tree : Captain Morton’s prized possession is a palm