Mr. Winkle Goes to War (1944)

Wilbert Winkle, a henpecked, mild-mannered, middle-aged bank clerk and handyman finds himself in the midst of battle in the South Pacific.

Director:

Alfred E. Green

Writers:

George Corey, Theodore Pratt (novel),

Stars:

Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Warrick, Ted Donaldson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edward G. Robinson	...	Wilbert Winkle
Ruth Warrick	...	Amy Winkle
Ted Donaldson	...	Barry
Bob Haymes	...	Jack Pettigrew
Richard Lane	...	Sgt. 'Alphabet' Czeidrowski
Robert Armstrong	...	Joe Tinker
Richard Gaines	...	Ralph Westcott

Storyline

Henpecked Mr. Winkle is only too happy to go to war when he's drafted. Later his nagging wife and his neighbors are astonished when he returns home as a decorated war hero.

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Plot Keywords:

accountant | medal of honor | pacific theater | propaganda | bank teller | 

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Genres:

War | Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 July 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Sua Grande Ambição

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Sweet Genevieve"
(uncredited)
Lyrics by George Cooper
Music by Henry Tucker
Sung by Edward G. Robinson, Robert Armstrong, Richard Lane,
and an uncredited soldier

User Reviews

Wee Wilbert Winkle

Meek and mild Edward G. Robinson (as Wilbert Winkle) decides to quit his bank job and do what he wants, open a "fix-it" repair shop behind his house. Mr. Robinson is married, but childless; he has befriended local orphanage resident Ted Donaldson (as Barry). Young Donaldson is an eager workshop assistant, and sees Robinson as a father figure. Robinson's nagging wife Ruth Warwick (as Amy) is unhappy with Robinson's job choice, and conspires to return matters to her idea of normalcy. Their lives are further disrupted when Robinson is drafted.

The war also disrupts what might have been an interesting story, as Robinson's character struggles against a domineering, unsympathetic wife. Possibly, filmmakers are showing how war can save marriages and positively redirect lives. Robinson and Donaldson are a likable team. Robert Mitchum has an inauspicious bit part. The ending "trick" played by Ms. Warwick and Donaldson is predictably staged.