Watch The Last Time I Saw Archie

The Last Time I Saw Archie is a comedy-drama movie that takes us back to the post-World War II era, specifically the 1950s, and revolves around a group of military officers stationed in an army base in the Pacific. The movie features an ensemble cast of veteran actors including Robert Mitchum as Corporal Bill Bowers, Jack Webb as Captain Sam Beacham, and Martha Hyer as Joey Hyatt.

The plot of the movie centers around the character of Archie Hall, a brash and somewhat obnoxious army pilot who disappears from the army base in the Pacific, but not before leaving behind a trail of debts and broken dreams. The story is narrated by Corporal Bill Bowers, a likeable and easy-going soldier who recounts his last few interactions with Archie before he disappeared.

Captain Beacham, the commanding officer of the army base, sends out search parties to find Archie but to no avail. Meanwhile, a woman named Joanna (played by Martha Hyer) arrives on the scene and claims to be Archie's wife. However, Joanna's story seems suspicious to some of the other soldiers, especially since Archie had previously never mentioned her. The soldiers begin to suspect that Joanna may be a gold-digger trying to swindle Archie's money.

As the movie progresses, we see flashbacks of Archie's interactions with the other soldiers, including his rivalry with Captain Beacham, and his close friendship with Corporal Bowers. Archie is portrayed as a charming yet reckless pilot who is always on the lookout for his next big adventure. Despite his brash exterior, however, Archie is shown to have a kind heart, especially towards his friends.

One of the key themes of the movie is the struggle for identity and purpose after the war. Many of the soldiers at the army base are struggling to find their place in the post-war world, and feelings of aimlessness and disillusionment are pervasive. Archie, with his larger-than-life personality, represents a sort of antidote to these feelings. He represents a sense of adventure and excitement that many of the other soldiers crave but are afraid to pursue.

The Last Time I Saw Archie is a humorous and poignant movie that manages to capture the spirit of the post-war era. It is a character-driven movie that delves deep into the motivations and desires of its varied cast of characters. The movie features some excellent performances, particularly from Robert Mitchum, who manages to imbue his character with a sense of melancholy despite the comedic tone of the movie.

One of the most striking aspects of the movie is its depiction of the army base itself. The base is shown to be a sort of microcosm of American society at the time, with a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life. The movie deals with issues such as race, gender, and class in a subtle yet effective way, showing how these issues affected everyday life for soldiers stationed overseas.

Overall, The Last Time I Saw Archie is a charming and entertaining movie that manages to capture a specific moment in American history with humor and heart. It is a must-see for fans of Robert Mitchum and Jack Webb, as well as anyone interested in the post-war era.

The Last Time I Saw Archie is a 1961 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.