Toward the Unknown

In this routine commingling of both mental and metal fatigue, Holden is a Korean veteran pilot (he broke under brainwashing) who's expected to grin and bear a desk jockey posting to Edwards Air Base, but itches to test the new X-2 rocket plane (which will retrieve his self-respect and his girl). Stolidly directed by former Warners contractee LeRoy in his men-in-uniform period, between the naval comedy Mr Roberts and the army farce No Time for Sergeants, and before the plainclothes hymn The FBI Story. James Garner makes his screen debut here, only a year before the first Maverick.