Why do they call him 'Mister'? - Mister Roberts (1955) Discussion

[–] Rynage 20 years ago

Because in the Navy (and the Coast Guard), you always refer to junior officers (Ensign up to Lieutenant) as Mr./Mrs./Ms. and the last name. If he got a rad promotion and was a commander or something, then he'd be "Commander Roberts."

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[–] hitzzen 20 years ago

Thanks!

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Rheli 11 years ago

And I believe this practice was inherited from the British navy. If you watch/read the Hornblower stories, for example, they use the same terminology.

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[–] luminouswhiskey 10 years ago

Midshipman and Warrant Officers in the Royal Navy were called "Mister" because they technically weren't officers, yet outranked Ratings and Petty Officers.

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[–] jopeabody 19 years ago

Ensigns, lieutenants - junior grade, lieutenants, lieutenant commanders are addressed as 'mister'.

All higher ranks are addressed by their rank, "Commander McHale," "Captain Binghampton," and "Admiral Nimitz."

This is the general rule for all services.

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[–] brad_wp 19 years ago

Actually, current guidance on the issue is that when a senior officer is addressing junior officers they should be called by Rank and Name. It is no longer considered appropriate to address juniors as Mr., Miss, or Mrs.. This has been in practice at least since the mid 90's.

I do like your selection of naval officers though.

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Gatorman9 19 years ago

Actually, they DON'T - for officers, dress blues have changed little since before World War II, and the same for dress whites; The current khaki has been around since the early 70's, and it was an adaptation of the khaki uniform you see in this movie which was around since at least the war. Enlisted uniforms, on the other hand, they have been playing too many games with for the past 35 years, I'll agree.

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Gatorman9 19 years ago

Boy, you can say that again. Why would you need cammo on a ship???

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] luminouswhiskey 19 years ago

There is also an exception: if the officer commanded a vessel, no matter what his rank was, he'd be addressed as Captain.
The Navy rank of Captain is actually short for "Post Captain", or captain of a "post ship" (ship of the line).
Lieutenants often commanded escort and support ships and Ensigns and Midshipmen could be assigned to sail captured ships back to port.

I always liked how Star Trek: Next Generation got around the "Mister" title by addressing all junior officers below Commander by the title, regardless of gender.
Roddenberry also tried to do away with the "first mate" title by calling them "Number Ones" instead, as he thought its literal translation would be confusing to alien races unfamiliar with Human naval tradition.

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[–] demanton 18 years ago

Captain Kirk called Lt. Saavik "Mr. Saavik" in Wrath of Khan.

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[–] slycer_2000 15 years ago

The perfect example of this would be Cagney in 'Mister Roberts' "Captain" Morton was actually only a Lt. Commander. He pulls the cover (hat) of a full Commander, the one with the "scrambled eggs" on the brim out of his safe to show Mr. Roberts, telling Mr. Roberts that he (Captain Morton) would wear that hat one day.

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[–] boxerrebellion 13 years ago

I just liked the fact that the Navy ranks survived, considering the recent attempts at the "purple military" - just one military, not separate branches, or all working together regardless of whose base it is.

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] MrPie7 18 years ago

I believe Capt. Binghamton was addressed as "Ol' Leadbottom" even thought it better fitted Mc Hale. Sorry, just hadda play a lil'.

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[–] geo1284060 16 years ago

I guess this is also why the O5 and higher ranks have "scrambled eggs" on the brims of their caps--to denote their higher status.

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[–] mcgrabi 18 years ago

Because it sounds funnier when Cagney says it.

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[–] finedave53 18 years ago

Bingo...Mistaaah!!

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[–] Gatorman9 18 years ago

In spite of the technical correctness of the other explanations proferred, you guys definitely DO have something of a point. I really miss Cagney. One of the true greats.

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[–] rwsmith29456 16 years ago

It's traditional in the Navy to call junior officers 'Mister'.

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[–] RichN36 13 years ago

It's also used as an Insult by the Captin toward Mr. Roberts. Specialy after the Speech he gives about his life on the Other Ships when he was a Kid. He uses the same tone when addressing Mr. Roberts as the Well to Dos addressed him as "Boy" as he was gowing up even when he was older and working on Cruse Ships.

There is more Gravy about you then the Grave. Scrooge.

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] luminouswhiskey 10 years ago

It's against protocol for the crew to call him "Mister"; they are supposed to call him Lieutenant. It might be to humanize him and show that the men respect him. Everyone else has a rank before their names: Captain Morton...Ensign Pulver...even Doc and Insignia have titles. Only Doug Roberts and Frank Thurlowe Pulver have full names, indicating that they are important to the plot.

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