A dramatization by Ira Levin of a novel originally written by Mac Hyman, this is a fairly entertaining 2-act play that pokes fun at the military way of doing things in the 1950s, although not much has probably changed. Will Stockdale is a naively earnest young man from the hills who has just been drafted. His cornpone style and simple honesty conflict with the military way of doing things, and comedic hijinks ensue. I vaguely remember seeing the movie treatment as a boy, with a young Andy Griffith reprising his role from the Broadway play, which probably later led to his starring role in "The Andy Griffith Show". And while I don't remember this from the movie, Don Knotts played a couple of minor roles in the play, which may have been the future comedy team's debut. ( )

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