This is another one of those gems from Hollywoods golden era of film-making. They just don't make 'em like that anymore and never will either. It is a shame this isn't available on VHS or DVD. Our star William Holden gets into serious legal troubles and is visited by the ghost of Andrew Jackson, who in turn bring along a whole group of famous founding fathers to solve the problem with, of course, very funny situations. Great movie, I haven't seen it in years so forgive the somewhat fuzzy plot summary but trust me it is great film. It has been shown on AMC I believe in the past. This is a early William Holden film and he is in fine form. Brian Donlevy plays Andrew Jackson with Montague Love as Gen. George Washington (great character actor). Let's hope this gem will be available soon
7 Reviews
Pair Of Andrews
bkoganbing16 July 2012
The Remarkable Andrew is a charming and whimsical fantasy with strong Frank Capra like overtones. A pair of Andrews are involved here, the 7th president of the United States Andrew Jackson played by Brian Donlevy and Andrew Long a city bookkeeper in Shale City, Colorado whose ancestor saved Jackson's life at the Battle Of New Orleans.
William Holden plays Andrew Long who finds a discrepancy in the city books and he resists pressure to whitewash and cover up the discrepancy. For that he's framed to take the fall for the discrepancy.
The ghost of Andrew Jackson comes to pay an old debt which causes a few comical moments for the audience, not for Holden especially with his fiancé Ellen Drew. When Holden is jailed Jackson brings reinforcements with the ghosts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, Benjamin Franklin, and Jesse James. Obviously Jesse has talents that can be put to use the others lack and does. And there is poor Private Henry Smith played by Jimmy Conlin who came along for the ride.
The courtroom scene is a classic reminding one so much of Mister Deeds Goes To Town when Gary Cooper's sanity is called into question. Or Jimmy Stewart fighting his expulsion from the Senate is Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.
In fact Bill Holden who said that he admired Spencer Tracy and Fredric March as actors gets to deliver a long Tracy like speech to the court. He did the same kind of speech at the board meeting climax scene in Executive Suite in the next decade. His ghostly friends provide him the ammunition to clear himself.
Directed by Stuart Heisler the script was adopted by Dalton Trumbo of the Hollywood 10 from his own novel. If this was the stuff that got him blacklisted it's a frightening prospect.
The Remarkable Andrew is a real gem among the early films of William Holden.
William Holden plays Andrew Long who finds a discrepancy in the city books and he resists pressure to whitewash and cover up the discrepancy. For that he's framed to take the fall for the discrepancy.
The ghost of Andrew Jackson comes to pay an old debt which causes a few comical moments for the audience, not for Holden especially with his fiancé Ellen Drew. When Holden is jailed Jackson brings reinforcements with the ghosts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, Benjamin Franklin, and Jesse James. Obviously Jesse has talents that can be put to use the others lack and does. And there is poor Private Henry Smith played by Jimmy Conlin who came along for the ride.
The courtroom scene is a classic reminding one so much of Mister Deeds Goes To Town when Gary Cooper's sanity is called into question. Or Jimmy Stewart fighting his expulsion from the Senate is Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.
In fact Bill Holden who said that he admired Spencer Tracy and Fredric March as actors gets to deliver a long Tracy like speech to the court. He did the same kind of speech at the board meeting climax scene in Executive Suite in the next decade. His ghostly friends provide him the ammunition to clear himself.
Directed by Stuart Heisler the script was adopted by Dalton Trumbo of the Hollywood 10 from his own novel. If this was the stuff that got him blacklisted it's a frightening prospect.
The Remarkable Andrew is a real gem among the early films of William Holden.
Very cute and funny
HotToastyRag11 July 2021
What a cute movie! I'm not a William Holden fan, but he was such a cute little kid in this one, seeing him perform his morning exercises while singing was enough to win me over. Three years after his splash in Golden Boy, he stars as an accountant in a small town where everyone knows everything about everybody. He's engaged to Ellen Drew but refuses to tie the knot until he's financially secure. Then, when an error in the bookkeeping records pops up, Bill smells a rat.
In a bizarre fantasy twist to the story, General Andrew Jackson pays him a visit. He just steps right out of a portrait and starts talking to him. Brian Donlevy, in a period costume, white wig, and fancy makeup to make his brow and cheekbones protrude, is absolutely hilarious (and handsome) as the no-nonsense, rye drinking general. He doesn't understand modern times and keeps calling on Bill to hang his enemies. Once he even says, "There's only one thing to do. You must challenge him to a duel," with a completely straight face.
This Dalton Trumbo screenplay will have you laughing from start to almost finish. I actually thought the ending was sad, but I won't hold it against the entire movie. It's very entertaining, and both leading men are adorable. I'm sure they were both happy to act in a comedy after all the heavy dramas of the past few years. Highly recommended, especially if you like small town comedies or political satires.
In a bizarre fantasy twist to the story, General Andrew Jackson pays him a visit. He just steps right out of a portrait and starts talking to him. Brian Donlevy, in a period costume, white wig, and fancy makeup to make his brow and cheekbones protrude, is absolutely hilarious (and handsome) as the no-nonsense, rye drinking general. He doesn't understand modern times and keeps calling on Bill to hang his enemies. Once he even says, "There's only one thing to do. You must challenge him to a duel," with a completely straight face.
This Dalton Trumbo screenplay will have you laughing from start to almost finish. I actually thought the ending was sad, but I won't hold it against the entire movie. It's very entertaining, and both leading men are adorable. I'm sure they were both happy to act in a comedy after all the heavy dramas of the past few years. Highly recommended, especially if you like small town comedies or political satires.
Maybe one of the worst release timed movies of all time
SimonJack25 October 2020
"The Remarkable Andrew" is something of a curiosity of a film for when it was made and released in theaters. It was either behind times by 20 years, or ahead of time by as much. This is a comedy romance and fantasy film all about decency, honesty, and integrity - subjects that surely are appropriate for all times in films. But at the core of the plot is political corruption that involves many of the people in a local government. And that's precisely why it's so poorly timed and probably why it bombed at the box office.
With the world embroiled in WW II, millions of Americans going off to war and all of industry gearing up and producing for war, the last thing on any American's mind in March of 1942, would have been local corrupt politics. That goes for people in all other countries as well. Indeed, if ever there was a time when such corruption most likely was nil or at a minimum, it would have been then.
So, it's no wonder that this film came in toward the bottom of box office receipts for the year - around 165th with domestic ticket sales of just $1.1 million. And, with the considerable cast of prominent actors of the day, the budget was probably right around that figure. "Mrs. Miniver" that was the released in June of that year, had a budget of $1.34 million and box office of $15.3 million. The stars of that film, Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon, are matched by William Holden, Brian Donlevy and Ellen Drew in "Andrew," which also has a bigger supporting cast of prominent actors.
The vast number of movies that the public went to and wanted to see were war or war-related films, or genuine comedies with much humor, or entertaining musicals, or good mysteries. An occasional animated film would be very popular.
While this film is a comedy and fantasy as well, the comedy is far too light and the fantasy may also have worked against it in a time of world war. All of the players did well in this film, and it was a good plot and story. It would have fit earlier times - before sound films and the Great Depression - including during prohibition. And, it surely would have resonated with audiences and been a good educational tool by the late 1950s. That's when Mayor Richard J. Daley rose to power and ruled the roost in Chicago. Many members of his administration in time were convicted of corruption.
The fantasy aspects of various heroes of America's past would have appealed to youngsters in years past. Such things appealed to my children in the 1970s and 1980s. But maybe they wouldn't so much in the 21st century when history doesn't seem to mean much to younger generations; or when some have a bizarre notion of being responsible for the sins and wrongs of people of the past. It seems to me that life is enough of a challenge for people in the 21st century to live our own lives now with respect for all others, and with honesty, kindness, and charity.
This might be a good film today for grandpa or grandma to show youngsters. And some who enjoy movies of the past, including those with messages, will still enjoy it. But most in the modern, fast-action, culture who can't go half an hour without checking their hand-held device, probably would lose interest before half an hour.
Here are some favorite lines from the film.
Mrs. Grondos, "Of course he isn't crazy. Just you remember what people said about Columbus."
Andrew Jackson, "You take it from an old politician-baiter."
Dr. Clarence Upjohn, after telling Peggy to smell Andrew's breath, "If there's liquor on it, call me. I've got some pills here that'll either sober him up or kill him."
Peggy Tobin, "But what if he hasn't been drinking?" Dr. Clarence Upjohn, "You're gonna have to marry him right away." Peggy, "Right away?" Dr. Upjohn, "Yep. If he's not drunk, he's crazy. If he's crazy, he needs your help. If you love him, you'll do as I say." Peggy, "I guess so."
Dr. Clarence Upjohn, "And another thing. If he thinks there's ghosts up there, pretend it's perfectly normal. Humor him. Agree with him. But marry him." Peggy Tobin, "All right." Dr., Upjohn, "But smell his breath first." Peggy, "Yeah."
With the world embroiled in WW II, millions of Americans going off to war and all of industry gearing up and producing for war, the last thing on any American's mind in March of 1942, would have been local corrupt politics. That goes for people in all other countries as well. Indeed, if ever there was a time when such corruption most likely was nil or at a minimum, it would have been then.
So, it's no wonder that this film came in toward the bottom of box office receipts for the year - around 165th with domestic ticket sales of just $1.1 million. And, with the considerable cast of prominent actors of the day, the budget was probably right around that figure. "Mrs. Miniver" that was the released in June of that year, had a budget of $1.34 million and box office of $15.3 million. The stars of that film, Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon, are matched by William Holden, Brian Donlevy and Ellen Drew in "Andrew," which also has a bigger supporting cast of prominent actors.
The vast number of movies that the public went to and wanted to see were war or war-related films, or genuine comedies with much humor, or entertaining musicals, or good mysteries. An occasional animated film would be very popular.
While this film is a comedy and fantasy as well, the comedy is far too light and the fantasy may also have worked against it in a time of world war. All of the players did well in this film, and it was a good plot and story. It would have fit earlier times - before sound films and the Great Depression - including during prohibition. And, it surely would have resonated with audiences and been a good educational tool by the late 1950s. That's when Mayor Richard J. Daley rose to power and ruled the roost in Chicago. Many members of his administration in time were convicted of corruption.
The fantasy aspects of various heroes of America's past would have appealed to youngsters in years past. Such things appealed to my children in the 1970s and 1980s. But maybe they wouldn't so much in the 21st century when history doesn't seem to mean much to younger generations; or when some have a bizarre notion of being responsible for the sins and wrongs of people of the past. It seems to me that life is enough of a challenge for people in the 21st century to live our own lives now with respect for all others, and with honesty, kindness, and charity.
This might be a good film today for grandpa or grandma to show youngsters. And some who enjoy movies of the past, including those with messages, will still enjoy it. But most in the modern, fast-action, culture who can't go half an hour without checking their hand-held device, probably would lose interest before half an hour.
Here are some favorite lines from the film.
Mrs. Grondos, "Of course he isn't crazy. Just you remember what people said about Columbus."
Andrew Jackson, "You take it from an old politician-baiter."
Dr. Clarence Upjohn, after telling Peggy to smell Andrew's breath, "If there's liquor on it, call me. I've got some pills here that'll either sober him up or kill him."
Peggy Tobin, "But what if he hasn't been drinking?" Dr. Clarence Upjohn, "You're gonna have to marry him right away." Peggy, "Right away?" Dr. Upjohn, "Yep. If he's not drunk, he's crazy. If he's crazy, he needs your help. If you love him, you'll do as I say." Peggy, "I guess so."
Dr. Clarence Upjohn, "And another thing. If he thinks there's ghosts up there, pretend it's perfectly normal. Humor him. Agree with him. But marry him." Peggy Tobin, "All right." Dr., Upjohn, "But smell his breath first." Peggy, "Yeah."
There's more to our heroes than what meets the imagination.
mark.waltz2 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
If accused of embezzlement from the company you work for, who better to defend you then some alleged great heroes of American history? More than 75 years after the making of this movie, there is some doubt as to Andrew Jackson's true place in American history, but for a war film made with patriotic ideals, Hollywood did what it could with their knowledge at that time of the character of American Heroes. So the viewer gets Jackson, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and a few others (including Jesse James). The public knows a lot more about these people today then American history books was showing us in 1942, so much of the plot line of this comedy fantasy has to be taken for the time it was made in.
Written and copyrighted before America got into World War II, this deals with the ideals of democracy as they were believed to have been during that time period. Brian Donlevy, a major star at the time, was the biggest name and got top billing as former president / General Andrew Jackson, representing William Holden who has been framed for embezzlement. Physically, it is Holden representing himself, utilizing the words of the various American Heroes who appear as their spirits to guide him. Fiance Ellen Drew is sure that Holden has been hitting the bottle too much or has simply gone bonkers, and in a violent display, swings around an antique sword to prove to Holden that he is completely alone. it is made all the more funny by Jackson's spirit hopping about to avoid being struck, even though we know that he's only ectoplasm.
While this film has basically been forgotten, it truly stands the test of time simply as a reminder of what American ideals have always been about. They may not always have been upheld, but they've been always there through our constitution to remind us, given more integrity through the presence of the other spirits who occasionally drop in their advice. It's a clever screenplay, with Donlevy and Holden likable heroes and Drew alternating between sweetheart and shrew. A great supporting cast (which includes the adorable Jimmy Conlin as a clumsy unknown who just happened to be along for the ride back from the other side) aids the fluffy but patriotic nature of the script. So while George Washington and the other American heroes might not have slept here (to quote a popular Broadway play of the early 1940's) by the time this is done, you may have felt their spirit appearing as well.
Written and copyrighted before America got into World War II, this deals with the ideals of democracy as they were believed to have been during that time period. Brian Donlevy, a major star at the time, was the biggest name and got top billing as former president / General Andrew Jackson, representing William Holden who has been framed for embezzlement. Physically, it is Holden representing himself, utilizing the words of the various American Heroes who appear as their spirits to guide him. Fiance Ellen Drew is sure that Holden has been hitting the bottle too much or has simply gone bonkers, and in a violent display, swings around an antique sword to prove to Holden that he is completely alone. it is made all the more funny by Jackson's spirit hopping about to avoid being struck, even though we know that he's only ectoplasm.
While this film has basically been forgotten, it truly stands the test of time simply as a reminder of what American ideals have always been about. They may not always have been upheld, but they've been always there through our constitution to remind us, given more integrity through the presence of the other spirits who occasionally drop in their advice. It's a clever screenplay, with Donlevy and Holden likable heroes and Drew alternating between sweetheart and shrew. A great supporting cast (which includes the adorable Jimmy Conlin as a clumsy unknown who just happened to be along for the ride back from the other side) aids the fluffy but patriotic nature of the script. So while George Washington and the other American heroes might not have slept here (to quote a popular Broadway play of the early 1940's) by the time this is done, you may have felt their spirit appearing as well.
The unremarkable Andrew
AAdaSC24 October 2015
William Holden (Andrew) gets out of bed and launches into exercises with way too much vigour. He's a tw*t. His day follows a routine in which he is obsessively punctual - to the extent that he doesn't start work until his designated start time and sits watching the clock until this time arrives. He is also an accountancy jobsworth and refuses to follow the advice of his boss to stop nosing around a discrepancy which he is asked not to worry about. He is even offered an increased salary. The film follows him to a courtroom where he must defend himself against corruption charges. However he has the help of the ghost of Andrew Jackson as played by Brian Donlevy and some other ghostly influential people. Can he walk free?
This film is pretty tedious. It's a comedy that is never funny and, as well as an annoying lead man, has several scenes where your mind wanders. A case in point is the drawn out speech that Holden gives in the courtroom. How boring! If you see a ghost, it is usually a scary experience and you certainly don't indulge in slapstick with it. It's an unbelievable story with a ridiculous leading character and not worth watching.
I bought this film because it has my name in the title and I wanted to relate to it. However, unlike me, this is all very unremarkable. I'm still waiting to see a ghost but my cousin has. And so has my aunt. And they were definitely not amusing occasions. Anyway, even as a comedy this one fails.
This film is pretty tedious. It's a comedy that is never funny and, as well as an annoying lead man, has several scenes where your mind wanders. A case in point is the drawn out speech that Holden gives in the courtroom. How boring! If you see a ghost, it is usually a scary experience and you certainly don't indulge in slapstick with it. It's an unbelievable story with a ridiculous leading character and not worth watching.
I bought this film because it has my name in the title and I wanted to relate to it. However, unlike me, this is all very unremarkable. I'm still waiting to see a ghost but my cousin has. And so has my aunt. And they were definitely not amusing occasions. Anyway, even as a comedy this one fails.
A Great Film
jspotter195016 December 2018
I first saw "The Remarkable Andrew" on television during my senior year in high school in 1967. I had been studying the Blacklist era, particularly since our beloved teacher, John Stewart, had been targeted by innuendo and nearly lost his job. I remember thinking how strange that this was evidence of Dalton Trumbo's communist conspiracy. It is full of the love for America and its ideals. I am glad that the new film, "Trumbo" is helping to set the record straight and to illuminate the ugliness of the HUAC. As Paul Robeson said to them, "You are the un-Americans". The other twist is that we owned the 78 RPM "Ballad For Americans", sung by Robeson and used to sing it as a family. Another communist or "fellow traveler", singing such a patriotic song?
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