[October 16, 2018] In 2017, thirty years after the making of one of my favorite movies Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), I had the privilege to speak with its star, Robin Williams. He was on a USO goodwill tour overseas and that’s how we met. The first thing I asked was about this movie.
I never really knew the story behind the film but Williams seemed appreciative of someone asking about it. In the movie, Williams played U.S. Air Force Sergeant Adrian Cronauer; a young, innovative, and imaginative radio announcer.1
In 1962, Adrian Cronauer was a fulltime college student at American University in Washington, D.C. Only a few credits shy of his degree, the draft board convinced him to voluntarily join the U.S. military rather than being drafted. Figuring he would have a greater chance at choosing his occupational specialty, he joined up.
In the military, broadcasting was considered an unimaginative and boring specialty that had to follow strict rules. Most of it involved making training films and recording mind-numbing lectures. Anyone who has ever seen these will attest that the best sleep-aide is watching one of them. It was tough to listen or watch without nodding off.
In combat zones, there may be great restrictions on these broadcasts due to Operational Security (OPSEC) concerns but elsewhere, troops can be a little more brazen. Sergeant Cronauer balanced military practicality with enthusiasm. Thus the opening line of the movie, ‘Goooood morning, Vietnam!’ said with gusto. You can see the opening dialogue here with Robin Williams in a short YouTube video (3:49 minutes); link here.
Cronauer did swim against the current of the dull military conventions of the time, risking the ire of his bosses on more than one occasion. But he was met with resistance from those who were deeply invested in military broadcast operations; many simply didn’t want to make waves.
Sergeant Cronauer eventually left Vietnam and his time with the U.S. Air Force. He belonged to VFW Post 1841 in Daleville, Virginia. He recently passed away this July and left us a legacy of great service to our nation.2 A great patriot. Cronauer will be missed … as will Robin Williams.
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Great article today, thanks!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Recognizing the talent, the innovativeness, and creativity of USAF Sergeant Cronauer is important as a lesson for junior leaders. He didn’t stand for going along to just get along. He added some “spice” to his radio announcing job and in doing so had the troops in Vietnam hooked. Great job.
I truly loved this movie and Robin Williams.
Me too. I really like Robin Williams. He was a genius!!
I too agree and it is one of my personal favorites of all time. Robin Williams made the movie great. Without him, I’m not so sure it would have been as good.
Yes, loved Robin Williams and all his work.
At least Cronauer didn’t treated as badly back home in America as most of the Vietnam Vets did. The reaction of the American people to our soldiers was disgraceful and will, I hope, always be remembered so that we can learn from those immoral mistakes.
Traitor Jane Fonda and the ilk that supported her then and now were a big part of this disgrace.
Cronauer gave voice to the average unsophisticated GI`s response to an alien culture while spoofing official double-speak. That is also leadership.
Good point and that is why the story is so interesting.
Yes, well said. I too enjoyed the movie.
”The movie is much more interesting than the experiences I had,” Cronauer said. ”The characters are composites, including me, of many real people, composite enough to capture your interest and really hold it. Robin Williams is very funny. I`m not.”
From Newsmax.com:
Cronauer recalled his relationship with Williams, whom he first met at the film’s premier. (Williams was nominated for an Academy Award for his role). The director, Barry Levinson, purposely kept the men apart before then out of concern that Williams “would subconsciously do an imitation of me which would change the characterization.”
Must have been very interesting on the making of the film Good Morning Vietnam. I liked the movie. I also understand that Robin Williams was nominated for an Academy Award for his part but didn’t get it.
Good movie, you can see it online for free if you look hard enough.
I understand that Cronauer wrote the story with one of his buddies and sold it. That is one way he did well in life. His experience should be repeated so that others can see that anyone can serve their country honorably.
That is true.
Although the movie critics didn’t give the film a top rating, I certainly liked it.
Yes, a great film in my opinion. I would go to the movie theater if there were more like this.
🙂
Good point.
Some critics did like it but I think the average person liked it better than the critics.