What makes a hero? That's the essential question being addressed by this movie which is, at one and the same time, both a funny piece of escapism for a war-weary population and a very thought-provoking study of heroism.
Eddie Bracken is Woodrow Truesmith, son of a World War I Marine and grandson of a Civil War veteran. Given his family history, Woodrow is, of course, expected to serve honourably in World War II but when he goes to enlist he's rejected for chronic hayfever. Unable to bring himself to tell his mother the news, he tells her he's been sent overseas. One day he meets a group of real Marines (headed by Sgt. Heppelfinger, played very well by William Demarest) and shares his story. They arrange to take him home and have him pose as a veteran of Guadalcanal. I admittedly had some trouble with the plot. From what I know of the Marines, I doubt they'd take kindly to someone posing as a veteran of Marine battles, let alone set the whole thing up. That aside, however, once Woodrow gets home with his new Marine buddies the story takes on a life of its own. Woodrow is suddenly portrayed as a great hero. He's met by bands and given the keys to the city by the typical movie version of the small town mayor (Raymond Walburn). Then the town decides to erect a monument in his memory. Then, the opponents to the mayor draft him to run against the mayor. One lie leads to another, and Woodrow can't get out of it. In the meantime, his re-appearance in town causes emotional angst for his former girlfriend Libby (Ella Raines) who's now engaged to be married to the mayor's son, but who really still loves Woodrow.
It's fascinating to watch a little lie take on a life of its own and grow beyond anyone's wildest imagination. It's also interesting to watch Woodrow's torment. He knows he's no Marine hero, but no one will let him out of the story. Every time he tries to explain, he gets shouted down by those who don't want the truth; they just want to live with the hero image. Eventually, though, Woodrow becomes a hero. Here's where the study of heroism comes in. Heroes in wartime are usually those who fight the battles and kill the enemy. Woodrow never did that, but his heroism will ultimately be defined not by wartime battles, but by honesty and integrity and a real courage, as - in a powerful scene near the end of the movie - he faces the town's citizens and finally tells all, admitting the deception in such a way as to let the town know he's no hero, but that will also protect the reputation of the Marines who got him into this in the first place.
This is a very good movie featuring a fine story and a collection of excellent performances. It should definitely be watched. 7/10
Eddie Bracken is Woodrow Truesmith, son of a World War I Marine and grandson of a Civil War veteran. Given his family history, Woodrow is, of course, expected to serve honourably in World War II but when he goes to enlist he's rejected for chronic hayfever. Unable to bring himself to tell his mother the news, he tells her he's been sent overseas. One day he meets a group of real Marines (headed by Sgt. Heppelfinger, played very well by William Demarest) and shares his story. They arrange to take him home and have him pose as a veteran of Guadalcanal. I admittedly had some trouble with the plot. From what I know of the Marines, I doubt they'd take kindly to someone posing as a veteran of Marine battles, let alone set the whole thing up. That aside, however, once Woodrow gets home with his new Marine buddies the story takes on a life of its own. Woodrow is suddenly portrayed as a great hero. He's met by bands and given the keys to the city by the typical movie version of the small town mayor (Raymond Walburn). Then the town decides to erect a monument in his memory. Then, the opponents to the mayor draft him to run against the mayor. One lie leads to another, and Woodrow can't get out of it. In the meantime, his re-appearance in town causes emotional angst for his former girlfriend Libby (Ella Raines) who's now engaged to be married to the mayor's son, but who really still loves Woodrow.
It's fascinating to watch a little lie take on a life of its own and grow beyond anyone's wildest imagination. It's also interesting to watch Woodrow's torment. He knows he's no Marine hero, but no one will let him out of the story. Every time he tries to explain, he gets shouted down by those who don't want the truth; they just want to live with the hero image. Eventually, though, Woodrow becomes a hero. Here's where the study of heroism comes in. Heroes in wartime are usually those who fight the battles and kill the enemy. Woodrow never did that, but his heroism will ultimately be defined not by wartime battles, but by honesty and integrity and a real courage, as - in a powerful scene near the end of the movie - he faces the town's citizens and finally tells all, admitting the deception in such a way as to let the town know he's no hero, but that will also protect the reputation of the Marines who got him into this in the first place.
This is a very good movie featuring a fine story and a collection of excellent performances. It should definitely be watched. 7/10