Having been discharged from the Marines for a hayfever condition before ever seeing action, Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) delays the return to his hometown, feeling ... See full summary »
Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends.
If your account is linked with Facebook and you have turned on sharing, this will show up in your activity feed. If not, you can turn on sharing
here
.
It's 1938, but Stan doesn't know the war is over; he's still patrolling the trenches in France, and shoots down a French aviator. Oliver sees his old chum's picture in the paper and goes to... See full summary »
Stanley Windrush has to interrupt his university education when he is called up towards the end of the war. He quickly proves himself not to be officer material. This leads him to meets up ... See full summary »
Director:
John Boulting
Stars:
Ian Carmichael,
Ronald Adam,
Henry B. Longhurst
The boys' Army buddy, Eddie Smith, is killed in the trenches in France, leaving his baby girl an orphan. Back home after Armistice, they try to find Eddie's father and turn the child over ... See full summary »
Willie Kluggs enters the service with hopes of going overseas, but his uncanny marksmanship keeps him at home as a shooting instructor... much to his embarrassment.
Director:
John Ford
Stars:
Dan Dailey,
Corinne Calvet,
Colleen Townsend
A southern spy during the Civil War, he must try to capture a shipment of gold. His task is complicated by the two sisters, the Indians and a firing squad.
Director:
Clarence G. Badger
Stars:
George A. Billings,
Virginia Lee Corbin,
Charles K. French
Having been discharged from the Marines for a hayfever condition before ever seeing action, Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) delays the return to his hometown, feeling that he is a failure. While in a moment of melancholy, he meets up with a group of Marines who befriend him and encourage him to return home to his mother by fabricating a story that he was wounded in battle with honorable discharge. They make him wear a uniform complete with medals and is pushed by his new friends into accepting a Hero's welcome when he gets home where he is to be immortalized by a statue that he doesn't want, has songs written about his heroic battle stories, and ends up unwillingly running for mayor. Despite his best efforts to explain the truth, no one will listen. Written by
J. Adam Ingle
Al Bridge is listed in the credits as the "Political Boss", but he is referred to by first name as "Jake". Jake sends out an enquiry by telegram to the San Diego Marine Base and receives a telegram reply that is addressed to "JACOB F BRIDGE". See more »
Goofs
Camera shadow on the backs of citizens when Woodrow comes out of the house after being nominated for mayor. See more »
Quotes
Political Boss:
[telling the mayor that Woodrow will be a write-in candidate]
You can take it from me. This is a free country. They can vote for anybody they like.
Mayor Everett D. Noble:
But, that's disgraceful!
Political Boss:
I know it, but that's how it is - and the way it is, it don't look so good.
Mayor Everett D. Noble:
You mean he actually has a chance?
Political Boss:
A chance? Did you ever see a snowslide?
See more »
Brilliant farce with more than a bitter-sweet tang about the attitudes of small town Americans towards the war and the people who served. The dialogue and pacing is first rate and Preston Sturges' stock cast are all excellent, not least Freddie Steele as the slightly dented Bugsy. His performance gives an odd edge to the film, being an awful actor and a poor comedian helps him stand out and appear as someone more real and genuine.
Sturges is Hollywood's most forgotten great director, writer and producer. Even though he shone brightly but briefly he made far superior comedies than Woody Allen's and those are pretty damn good themselves.
17 of 18 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful to you?
Brilliant farce with more than a bitter-sweet tang about the attitudes of small town Americans towards the war and the people who served. The dialogue and pacing is first rate and Preston Sturges' stock cast are all excellent, not least Freddie Steele as the slightly dented Bugsy. His performance gives an odd edge to the film, being an awful actor and a poor comedian helps him stand out and appear as someone more real and genuine.
Sturges is Hollywood's most forgotten great director, writer and producer. Even though he shone brightly but briefly he made far superior comedies than Woody Allen's and those are pretty damn good themselves.