A Medal for Benny (1945)

Director:

Irving Pichel

Writers:

Frank Butler (screen play), Jack Wagner (additional dialogue),

Stars:

Dorothy Lamour, Arturo de Córdova, J. Carrol Naish

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Dorothy Lamour	...	Lolita Sierra
Arturo de Córdova	...	Joe Morales (as Arturo de Cordova)
J. Carrol Naish	...	Charley Martin
Mikhail Rasumny	...	Raphael Catalina
Fernando Alvarado	...	Chito Sierra
Charles Dingle	...	Zach Mibbe
Frank McHugh	...	Edgar Lovekin
Rosita Moreno	...	Toodles Castro
Grant Mitchell	...	Mayor of Pantera
Douglass Dumbrille	...	General

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

half caste | societal hypocrisy | catfight | slum | war medal

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

16 April 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Morte de uma Ilusão

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on October 15, 1945 with Dorothy Lamour reprising her film role.

User Reviews

offbeat melodrama

This is a strange film.It is a sort of "Hail The Conquering Hero" without the same incisive satire.It highlights the hypocrisy surrounding heroism in WW2.Benny is an outcast in life but a hero in death.In reality his father lives in the slums.However the town want to be shown in a good light so put him in a new home.He subsequently comes to realise that it is just a sham.J.Carroll Naish was nominated for an Oscar.He must have played more types and nationalities than anyone in his era.He is always watchable.In some ways his style of acting is old fashioned as he is rather hammy.It is his performance which which is the highlight along with a larger than usual role for Frank McHugh.