MovieChat Forums > PT 109 (1963) Discussion > Uncredited, not even listed, actor in fi...

Uncredited, not even listed, actor in film

posted 11 years ago by goofy-3
8 replies | jump to latest

I am totally puzzled, and have been for a long time, why a character in this film, LT Brannigan, does not have anyone listed as playing the part. It is puzzling because even someone with a bit part in this movie has been listed (as uncredited). This character Brannigan has a not insignificant role in the movie, actually having quite a fair amount of screen time, not to mention being a major participant in the story. LT Brannigan (addressed by name by Robert Culp) is played by Steve Pendelton ("The Caine Mutiny", "Killers from Space") who also used the name Gaylord Pendelton until the early 50's, was the officer in charge of the PT squadron which PT 109 was a part of, and even commanded one of the boats himself. It took me a while to even track down who he was, given that the character LT Brannigan itself is not even listed, so I had nothing but a face to go on. I did not have much to go on even there until I saw him in Caine Mutiny, but did not know which part he played, as there are 7 court-martial board members listed, and many of the actors playing those parts don't have photos anywhere to look at. When I rewatched Killers from Space for about the 3rd time I finally recognized him there, playing the investigator, Briggs. I would really like to know why the character, LT Brannigan, and Steve Pendelton are not even listed in PT 109.

[–] cartman_1337 11 years ago

Probably for the reasons you mention yourself. He's hard to track down. But now that you know who it is, why don't you add him yourself? Just hit the "Edit Page" link at the bottom of the movie/cast page and add his credit. Anyone's free to contribute information not already listed.

[–] goofy-3 10 years ago

Thanks
, I would have done this, except I was under the impression screen credits had to originate from an "official" source, eg, call sheets, etc. I corrected one movie as to the listing of a character who was actually in the credits in the movie, but not shown in IMDB's billing, and they would not accept my submission. I'll admit, this was a few years ago, but it rankled me then. I would think (referring back to PT 109) that a character as up in the list as this LT Brannigan would have an actors's name attached.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rac701 10 years ago

I think you're referring to "Lt. Brantingham," not "Lt. Brannigan."

Lt. Henry Brantingham was the senior PT skipper and the leader, in PT 159, of the entire group of PT boats out that night, including leading the four-boat "Division B" section which consisted of Brantingham's PT 159, PT 157, PT 162, and JFK's PT 109.

And you are correct -- the name of the actor who portrayed Lt. Brantingham is not listed in the credits of the film.

[–] Lockjaw 8 years ago

Doesn't Barney Ross, a member of the original PT 109 crew, play the Navy noncom at Rendova who gets a bucket of dirty water tossed on him by Kennedy (Cliff Robertson)? Ross is played by Robert Culp in the film. I know I read this somewhere.

[–] rac701 8 years ago

Lockjaw,

Yes, the real George "Barney" Ross played the Navy Chief who gets the bucket of solvent dumped on his head by Cliff Robertson as JFK in the film.

Ross wasn't "a member of the original PT 109 crew," but rather the executive officer of PT 166, which had been destroyed in a friendly fire incident. Ross, who knew JFK previously, was without assignment when he asked to ride along on PT 109 the night it was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri.

And you're right, Barney Ross was played by Robert Culp in the film.

[–] bobmac 7 years ago

Just watched this on TCM. I believe Lt. Henry Brantingham was the "Flotilla Captain" (played by George Gaynes) listed in the credits. Lt. Brantingham was addressed by name and was the commander of the boats on the night the PT-109 was rammed.

I checked Google Images and George Gaynes's early 1960 photos match the Brantingham character.

[–] rac701 7 years ago

No, George Gaynes played a Captain who was the PT Flotilla commander (the real officer in charge of the Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla at Tulagi at that time was Commander Allen P. Calvert, thus the sign "Calvertville" that JFK walks under upon arrival), in the brief scene where Commander Ritchie (James Gregory) visits him in his office to request being allowed to move up to Rendova to be near some action.

The Lt. Henry Brantingham character was the officer who was the gives the briefing to the boat skippers for the patrol on which the 109 was lost, OKs Barney Ross to ride on the 109, questions JFK as to where he got a 37 millimeter, and is seen on PT 159 dropping down into the charthouse to check it's radar during the patrol. He was played by actor Tom Middleton, and was indeed uncredited.

As mentioned before, Brantingham was the senior officer, on PT 159, of the 15 PTs on the August 1-2 patrol on which the 109 was lost, and was played in the film by Tom Middleton, not George Gaynes. Clear?