See Here, Private Hargrove (1944)

Journalist Marion Hargrove enters the Army intending to supplement his income by writing about his training experiences. He muddles through basic training at Fort Bragg with the ... See full summary »

Director:

Wesley Ruggles

Writers:

Marion Hargrove (book), Harry Kurnitz (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Walker, Donna Reed, Keenan Wynn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Walker	...	Pvt. Marion Hargrove
Donna Reed	...	Carol Holliday
Keenan Wynn	...	Pvt. Mulvehill
Grant Mitchell	...	Uncle George
Ray Collins	...	Brody S. Griffith
Chill Wills	...	First Sgt. Cramp
Bob Crosby	...	Bob
Marta Linden	...	Mrs. Holliday
George Offerman Jr.	...	Pvt. Orrin Esty
Edward Fielding	...	Gen. Dillon
Donald Curtis	...	Sgt. Heldon
William 'Bill' Phillips	...	Pvt. Bill Burk (as Wm. 'Bill' Phillips)
Douglas Fowley	...	Capt. R.S. Manville

Storyline

Journalist Marion Hargrove enters the Army intending to supplement his income by writing about his training experiences. He muddles through basic training at Fort Bragg with the self-serving help of a couple of buddies intent on cutting themselves in on that extra income.

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Plot Keywords:

journalist | military draft | patriotism | author | sergeant | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

En man i ledet

Filming Locations:

Camp Roberts, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Loew's

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many cast members in studio records/casting call lists did not appear or were not identifiable in the movie. These were (with their character names): John Kelly (Exercise Sergeant), Louis Mason (Farmer), Connie Gilchrist (Farmer's Wife), Eddie Acuff (Captain Hammond), Kit Guard (Soldier), Cliff Clark (Soldier), Hooper Atchley (Ticket Seller), Frances Morris (Nurse) and Lee Phelps (Sergeant).

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Goofs

First Sgt. Cramp's stripes are the type worn before 1942. Before 1942 the first Sgt.'s stripes had the three chevrons and two rockers with a diamond, seen in the film. From 1942 forward the first Sgt. had three chevrons and three rockers with a diamond. The latter would have been more correct for this film since it was made in 1944.

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Connections

Followed by What Next, Corporal Hargrove? (1945)

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Soundtracks

"Taps"
(1862) (uncredited)
Written by Daniel Butterfield
Played by an offscreen buglar at bedtime

User Reviews

Likable, but Dated

The running gag of scrubbing garbage cans (kp) as punishment may resonate with some of us old enough, but it's a slender thread on which to hang an entire comedy. Besides, it's a thing of the past, what with the new volunteer army that doesn't sign-up to clean garbage cans. Trouble is that Hargrove (Walker) can't stay off kp since he's a perennial screw-up, and though the episodes are well-timed, they do wear pretty thin. The movie's based on the real-life Hargrove's experiences in Army Basic Training. As Hargrove, Walker is relentlessly upbeat and energetic, reminding me of a young Jack Lemmon, while the movie itself showcases his talents more than anything else.

As a service comedy, the film is much tamer than the uproarious service comedies of the 50's (e.g. Mr. Roberts {1955}; Operation Mad Ball {1957}). But then, audiences of the 50's could relax and enjoy a lighter side of WWII since they didn't have to face a shooting war on the outside. I expect that accounts for this film's milder approach, which bases its humor on character instead of uproarious situations. After all, training for war might have a lighter side, but it should not be made to look too funny, even for escapist-seeking wartime audiences (1944).

Anyway, I agree that as a comedy, the movie is pretty thin gruel, especially after six decades. Still, the main characters are lively and likable, while Walker is quite good at being youthfully naïve, which may be just enough for a slow evening.