MISTER ROBERTS started as a novel by Thomas Heggen, but became popular when it hit Broadway as a stage play in 1948, written by Heggen and Joshua Logan. Henry Fonda originated the role of the title character on stage, who he also plays in the film version. | Turner Classic Movies: TCM

MISTER ROBERTS (1955) stars two WWII Navy vets (Henry Fonda and Jack Lemmon) and was adapted from the novel by Thomas Heggen. Heggen based the story on his experiences serving on the cargo ship USS Virgo. The film was followed by the sequel ENSIGN PULVER (1964). #MovieMonday | U.S. Naval Institute