] Mildred""s ruinous but noble downfall occurs as the result of poor choices of men (including her dull, middle-class broker husband Bert (Bruce Bennett)) and her caring for an ungrateful Veda.It was unclear whether the response could be a military exercise, or a challenge to NATO by a "madman.]The handwritten note is projected on a screen and read by the Mayor (John Vernon) [filmed in the actual offices of the SF Mayor at the time].His feelings and pride were hurt by favoritism:I was first bugler for two years.The top-kick had a friend who transferred in from another outfit.The next day, he was made first bugler over me.I was a better bugler...Maybe it ain""t sensible, but that""s the reason.The insecure Captain, the regimental boxing coach, ""pulled a few strings"" to get Prewitt transferred to Company "G".Flames swept through the barge after a lantern overturned in Evelyn""s cabin, and eventually, all the passengers (even the Americans) evacuated overboard by diving into the river.