The Bold and the Brave is a 1956 American World War II film written by Robert Lewin in his first screenplay based on some of his Italian Campaign experiences. It was directed by Lewis R. Foster and stars Wendell Corey, Mickey Rooney, and Don Taylor. The film was produced by Filmmakers Production Organization and released by RKO. The title song for was cowritten by Mickey Rooney and Ross Bagdasarian, the creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks. Plot The film traces the destinies of three American soldiers stationed in Italy during World War II. Fairchild (Corey) is an idealist who doesn't believe in killing. Preacher (Taylor) is a religious zealot, who can't see anything in terms other than Good and Evil. Dooley (Rooney), an inveterate gambler who runs a floating crap game up and down the Italian front. A gambler and a World War II veteran himself, Rooney claimed to have adlibbed and directed his crap game sequence. Cast Wendell Corey as Fairchild Mickey Rooney as Dooley Don Taylor as Preacher Nicole Maurey as Fiamma John Smith as Smith Race Gentry as Hendricks Ralph Votrian as Wilbur Wright King as Technician Fifth Grade Stanley Adams as Master Sergeant Bobs Watson as Bob Tara Summers as Tina Diana Darrin as Lina Award nominations The film received the following Academy Awards nominations: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Mickey Rooney, 1957 Academy Awards Best Writing, Best Screenplay - Original, 1957 Academy Awards See also List of American films of 1956 References External links 1956 films 1956 war films American black-and-white films American war films Films directed by Lewis R. Foster Films scored by Herschel Burke Gilbert Italian Campaign of World War II films RKO Pictures films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films