review for Advance to the Rear on AllMovie

Advance to the Rear is a very funny, surprisingly overlooked comedy that deserves to be better known. It's not a classic, not in the same league as Bringing Up Baby or similar films, but it's the kind of engaging, humorous film that hooks the viewer early on and keeps him happily involved throughout. Credit goes to its trio of screenwriters (and to Jack Schaefer, author of the book upon which the film is based) for concocting a script that tells its story economically and clearly, provides ample opportunity for gags, includes some nifty jokes and presents some well defined characters. Director George Marshall is perfectly in tune with the writers, playing up the tongue-in-cheek nature of the script without overplaying it, and providing shots of visual interest that don't go out of their way to call attention to themselves. And Rear makes the most of its very able cast, putting star Glenn Ford into the kind of comedy role that suits his deadpan style, allowing Melvyn Douglas to have a field day as the pompous colonel, letting Stella Stevens undulate appealingly and throwing Joan Blondell the chance to zing a few in her inimitable style. Throw in the likes of Jim Backus and Alan hale, Jr., and the result is a fine and funny flick.