The Man Who Walked Alone (1945)

Marion Scott, honorably discharged WW II soldier, in "civies" and carrying a suitcase containing his uniform and medals, is hitch-hiking to the small hometown of a buddy killed overseas, ... See full summary »

Director:

Christy Cabanne

Writers:

Christy Cabanne (original screenplay), Robert Lee Johnson (screenplay)

Stars:

Dave O'Brien, Kay Aldridge, Walter Catlett

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dave O'Brien	...	Cpl. Marion Scott (as David O'Brien)
Kay Aldridge	...	Wilhelmina Hammond
Walter Catlett	...	Wiggins
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams	...	Champ
Isabel Randolph	...	Mrs. Hammond
Smith Ballew	...	Alvin Bailey
Nancy June Robinson	...	Patricia Hammond
Ruth Lee	...	Aunt Harriett
Chester Clute	...	Mr. Monroe
Vivien Oakland	...	Mrs. Monroe (as Vivian Okaland)
Vicki Saunders	...	Camille
Robert Hartzell	...	Joe
Charles Williams	...	Moe
Frank Melton	...	Glem
Donald Kerr	...	Zilch

Storyline

Marion Scott, honorably discharged WW II soldier, in "civies" and carrying a suitcase containing his uniform and medals, is hitch-hiking to the small hometown of a buddy killed overseas, intending to make it his home. En-route, he encounters wealthy society girl Wilhelmina Hammond, who is running away from her stuffed-shirt fiancée, Alvin Bailey and has taken his car without permission. Marion and Wilhelmina are bickering over a blow-out and an empty gas tank when the local cops appear and haul them off to jail on a car-theft charge. Wilhelmina establishes her identity and is released and, intrigued by Marion whom she suspects is a deserter, arranges his release also. She takes him to the Hammond estate and tells Marion, who does not know her true identity, she is Mrs. Hammond's secretary. Wilhelmina has no keys to the home and they are arrested again when they are caught crawling into the house through a window. This time reporters and photographers discover her identity and plaster ...

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Plot Keywords:

empty gas tank | suitcase | caretaker | old maid | chauffeur | 

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Taglines:

He Was A One-Man Army - She A One-Girl Blitz!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

Homem Solitário

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Gem of a screwball comedy with a twist

Of the many "forgotten" films this gem of a screwball comedy deserves resurrection more than most. Produced by an obscure organization (Producers Releasing Corporation) and written and directed by Christy Cabanne (who?), it is a combination of the elements of IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT and MY MAN GODFREY but with an entirely original twist in that the identify of our leading man and lady are unknown to each other for most of the film. Indeed we don't know who she is until half way through and we don't learn his identity until the end - with rumor and innuendo rampant throughout. Cabanne directs the leads (B players Kay Aldridge - who bears an uncanny resemblance to Stockard Channing

• and Dave O'Brien) with flair - they are bright, full of personality and

their chemistry is marvelous. The film is peopled with fine character actors - Walter Catlett as a befuddled butler; Isabel Randolph as an exasperated matron; Ruth Lee as a wisecracking aunt and Nancy Robinson as an obnoxious brat of a younger sister. This is sheer delight from start to finish. Its 71 minutes fly by. Although deserving of an Oscar nom for Original Story, the only nod the Academy gave it was one for Original Score (sprightly and humorously orchestrated but rather brief).