Bob Denver had been working as a mailman and a math teacher and children's athletic coach.

Then in 1959, he got his first professional acting job. He made his movie debut in an musical service comedy A PRIVATE'S AFFAIR.

And he had a scene with Jim Backus!

Bob Denver was so new, he was credited as "Robert Denver."

Jim Backus is a TV MC putting together an Army talent show.
Bob Denver is an hipster soldier named MacIntosh who tips Jim off to some talented singers (Sal Mineo, Gary Crosby and Barry Coe, who are the stars)

Barbara Eden plays a sergeant.

I'd love to see this movie, is it available on dvd?

Yes it's available.
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
DVD Release Date: November 27, 2012
Run Time: 93 minutes

Good observation!

I didn't realize it had a retail release, even if it is MOD it is worth checking out!

A PRIVATE'S AFFAIR on Amazon MOD for $19.98. It's enjoyable enough just for the future sitcom star interest.

Bob Denver only has two scenes. One where recruits see him with his then new gadget, a tape recorder. And another where he clues Jim Backus in on the music group.

It was directed by the great Raoul Walsh. If it has a weakness, it's just that the main stars Sal Mineo and Gary Crosby weren't that funny, hunky handsome or musical.

One bit of unintended funny. The movie starts with the arrival of raw recruits and Sal Mineo sports a silly beard that makes him look like Maynard G. Krebs, the role that gave Bob Denver his first claim to fame.

I wish studios would make all their titles MOD. Then you could get what you want if you were willing to pay for it. Isn't that the American way?