One of the veteran Senators blocks his confirmation to "high office," referring to Smith""s disgraceful appearance in the Washington papers and before the press:I refer to his astounding and shameless performance for the newspapers - a versatile performance, I grant you.Although the film is flawed by its excesses, an ambiguous and incohesive script, and a baffling ending, it still remains a brilliant evocation of the madness and horrors of war." But in the next startling instant, there is a closeup of a middle-aged woman (with her face coated in cold cream) shrieking as she notices her empty jewelry case in her French Riveria hotel room: "My jewels! I""ve been robbed.)The malingering "Commander" Shears, shaving in the medical hut, has lied about his rank to get preferential treatment reserved for officers.