This Preston Sturges film is a wartime comedy with more to it than appears on the surface. It's a good story with a plot that is well developed. The situation comedy is plain for all to see. Eddie Bracken's Woodrow Truesmith returns home after being away for a year, supposedly for wartime service overseas. William Demarest, as Sgt. Heppelfinger, heads a group of Marines who are back in the States from Guadalcanal, and who concoct a ruse to make Woodrow a hero back home. There are more details but this sets the stage for much of the story.
Yet, underlying this is a message about nonmilitary service in wartime. It's no disgrace that Woodrow was medically discharged from the Marines after one month of training. And, people who fill civilian jobs back home also are important to the war effort. None of this is overtly obvious, so that it doesn't become a preachy film. But that nice, subtle message is there.
Bracken does a good job in his role, but I think Demarest was especially good as the sergeant. The rest of the actors were all quite good. The film has a sizable cast with several notable character actors of the day. Franklin Pangborn plays the reception committee chairman in a frenzied, disorganized and pompous way that was a trademark of many of his roles. Raymond Walburn as Mayor Noble had some of the best lines in the movie – a good number of lines. He played his role superbly well and clearly provided must of the humor in the film. He had many snappy, very funny quips and lines. Which lead me to think that the film also was something of a spoof of politics.
Even the stereotyping of Marines as not well educated gets a pass. This bunch is seen as caring and considerate men, even with their toughness.
In the end, Woodrow swallows his pride and tells the town folk the truth. Honesty once again proves to be the best policy.
Yet, underlying this is a message about nonmilitary service in wartime. It's no disgrace that Woodrow was medically discharged from the Marines after one month of training. And, people who fill civilian jobs back home also are important to the war effort. None of this is overtly obvious, so that it doesn't become a preachy film. But that nice, subtle message is there.
Bracken does a good job in his role, but I think Demarest was especially good as the sergeant. The rest of the actors were all quite good. The film has a sizable cast with several notable character actors of the day. Franklin Pangborn plays the reception committee chairman in a frenzied, disorganized and pompous way that was a trademark of many of his roles. Raymond Walburn as Mayor Noble had some of the best lines in the movie – a good number of lines. He played his role superbly well and clearly provided must of the humor in the film. He had many snappy, very funny quips and lines. Which lead me to think that the film also was something of a spoof of politics.
Even the stereotyping of Marines as not well educated gets a pass. This bunch is seen as caring and considerate men, even with their toughness.
In the end, Woodrow swallows his pride and tells the town folk the truth. Honesty once again proves to be the best policy.