Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) User Reviews (51)

Sturges' best!

[Doogie D · 9/10 · 3 May 1999]

A great, great movie; one so-well written and with such astonishing momentum I can watch it twice in one sitting or just sample bits and pieces when I wish. Eddie Bracken, who was pretty hard to take in MIRACLE AT MORGAN'S CREEK, is perfect here. Raymond Walburn's performance is sheer genius; the section in which he dictates his speech first to his son and then his son's fiancee is hilarious -- a masterpiece of verbiage, characterization, and timing. Notice also, the subtle directing, such as when the camera pans in perfect time to catch the re-election poster. Beyond praise.

CONQUERING HERO packs an emotional wallop lacking, I think, in Sturges' other movies -- and I mean emotion other than joy and giddiness, of course. Bracken's speeches which frame the film are beautifully written, directed, and performed; the last speech is terribly moving.

Sturges lost his Paramount deal after this film, and never quite regained his footing. That famous clutch of films culminates here in his best film, and all his ingenuity and grace are firmly in place. God bless Preston Sturges.

One of the Greatest Comedies Ever Made During the War

[DKosty123 · 9/10 · 12 February 2017]

In a way, Preston Sturges script is the reverse of The Best Years of Our Lives, only this might just be the film that laid the groundwork for that classic. While this is done as a comedy all the way, it's script touches the soul of wartime America. Everyone was so committed to the war effort, this one goes over board in showing how the home front honors hero's, even though Woodrow(Eddie Bracken) is no hero. This film is a lot of the casts finest hours on film. Bracken is brilliant in a role which he is not real comfortable in, but does play it so well.

Ella Raines, though in the background for a fair portion of this one, really shines as Libby, Woodrows childhood love. To me, William Demarest (Sgt. Heffelfinger) is at his absolute best in this movie and nearly steals the show. The Sgt. is the key character in this movie.

It is the Sgt. that arranges to get Woodrow, reluctantly, to go home after being rousted out of the Marines on a minor problem ( chronic hay fever) that is why he is not going home. Woodrow is no hero, and working in a factory and drinking at a bar, he buys 6 real Marines (including Sgt.) a round of beer as the real ones have no money. In return, they come up to the bar to thank him, and learn his story. This is the perfect hook for the story to hang on. The comedies have a strong story, and this one is among the best.

With all the unaccredited players and folks from silent films in this, you'd think there would be too much physical slapstick. This Sturges script is too good for that. In fact, after being a farce for quite a while when Woodrow gets back home, this movie suddenly becomes an almost dramatic film. This is a credit to Sturges directing his own script as his direction is the only man who could take an out of control farce and put it back on track.

Comedy and Drama have rarely been mixed better than this film. As the World War 2 generation is fast departing us now, this movie should be a double feature film with The Best Years Of Our Lives. It would be a long double bill, but the contrast between these 2 differently brilliant films would give everybody an idea of the greatest generation. I am so glad I have finally seen this gem.

Last of the best of Sturges

[n_m_mcnamara · 8/10 · 24 April 2004]

The last of the really great comedies that Preston Sturges directed had a more serious undertone than his previous films. This is not to say that Hail the Conquering Hero isn't hilarious though. It is just as intelligent, fast-paced, subversive and witty as could be expected from the writer/director of The Lady Eve and The Palm Beach Story.

Eddie Bracken plays Woodrow Truesmith, a would-be marine who was discharged from service for chronic hay fever. Woodrow, whose father died a hero during WWI, hasn't had the heart to tell his mother about his discharge and has been pretending to still be on the front line. When he befriends a group of marines on leave, they dress him up as a hero and bring him home to make his mother happy, not anticipating that his whole town will give him a hero's welcome.

Considering that the film was made during the war, it is surprising the way it satirises the notion of the war hero as well as the attitudes of those who did not go away to fight. The awestruck townspeople are depicted as being rather gullible while the marines are shown as a tough, cohesive unit, if maybe a bit dishonest and mercenary (and in one case slightly unhinged). The film has fine production values and great performances across the board but it is Sturges' script, with its marvellous characterisations and sparkling dialogue, that really shines. If you like Preston Sturges' other, earlier comedies, this film is essential viewing.

Let's Give Everett The Air

[theowinthrop · 10/10 · 4 February 2006]

In a wonderful series of films between 1940 and 1948 Preston Sturgis rewrote the idea of film satire in Hollywood, taking apart political and business sacred cows, and showing a remarkably realistic view of sex in America despite the continued use of the so-called Hays Office and the moral code.

HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO is one of the best of these films. It deals with the issue of heroism and it's political value in wartime. Woodrow Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) is a 4-F who has been working in California in a plant because he could not get drafted. But his family and neighbors expect him to be in the army. His father was a war hero in World War I (he was named Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith after President Woodrow Wilson, General John Pershing, and the Marquis of Lafayette - supposedly Pershing's staff Major, Charles Stanton, made the statement "Lafayette we are here" when our troops arrived to help the French in 1918 - so that Woodrow was born about 1918). Bracken has lied in letters to his mother that he is a marine and a hero. He tells this to a small group of Marines, led by William Demerest (and including one named Bugsie, played by former boxer Freddie Steele) who decide to accompany him back to his home on their furlough. They go with him, and back up his lies, so that Bracken finds himself the town's leading hero - and a potential piece of political timber.

The town is run by two men, Al Briggs (the quiet but intelligent town boss) and Raymond Walburn, the richest man in town who is the mayor as well: Everett Noble. Walburn is always blustering, but he basically knows what's what. However it is Briggs who asks the right questions. When the reform party nominates Woodrow for Mayor, Briggs asks, "I wonder if he really is a hero?" And he starts making inquiries.

They have an unwitting ally: Woodrow himself. He finds the expansion of his lies too much pressure on him, and he questions it's value. But he can't buck his mother, his girlfriend (Ella Raines), nor Demerest, Steele, and the other Marines. They've learned that Woodrow is the only hope for the town's future because it's currently somewhat shoddy and corrupt in it's goals and actions. They can't let Woodrow confess.

What makes a hero? In HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO, set in the middle of WORLD WAR II, it turns out that heroism is not only found on a military front or battlefield, but can be found on the home front as well. It can take many forms, and sometimes it is at great personal humiliation and hurt. Bracken never had a better role (except for his other starring role for Sturgis in THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK), and demonstrate the growth of his moral stature quite well. Demerest, Walburn, Raines, Briggs all do well (Demerest in an oddly different role - he's a soldier, not a wise guy), and Freddy Steele's "Bugsie" is a wonderful portrait of a slightly mentally ill soldier with a mother fixation. Steele had a a career in movies in the 1940s, mostly in bit roles. This was his best performance.

Brilliant satire on patriotism

[lqualls-dchin · 10/10 · 21 December 2000]

Preston Sturges's companion piece to The Miracle of Morgan's Creek was this brilliant satire on patriotism and hero worship, with Eddie Bracken giving a touching performance as a 4-F reject whose elaborate system of lies snowballs when he runs into a troop of returning Marines who decide to help him maintain his imposture. Taking a lot of strands from Sturges's previous comedies, this film remains fresh and perceptive, with hilarious insights into politics, family values, and ethics. With the disenchantment with politics in today's society, where is Preston Sturges when we need him?

IMHO, Sturges's best

[ajdagreat · 10 January 2002]

Sure, I loved "The Palm Beach Story", "Sullivan's Travels", "The Lady Eve", "Miracle of Morgan's Creek", etc., but "Hail the Conquering Hero" holds up best for me. A brilliantly written comedy with very good performances from everyone. I really have nothing else to say except I think it's really pathetic that only 197 people have seen this movie and bothered to vote on it, while the garbage Hollywood serves us today gets thousands of votes. Don't settle for garbage! See THIS movie!

Very good satirical comedy

[perfectbond · 7/10 · 9 March 2004]

I initially picked this up because I had just seen Phantom Lady with Ella Raines and was very impressed with her work in that film noir thriller. In this film she has a decidedly less prominent role though whenever she is onscreen my enjoyment of the film intensified. This is the first of Eddie Bracken's work that I have encountered. I think he did well with both the dramatic and comedic elements of his chracter. I have seen a few of Preston Sturges' films and in my opinion the director succeeded handsomely with this effort. In addition to the leads he elicited excellent performances from the character actors most of whom are recognizable to avid film buffs like all of us in the IMDB community I'm sure. As a change of pace from the more traditional WW II films, Hero is very smart and entertaining comedy. Recommended, 7/10.

WIN WITH WOODROW

[renfield54 · 10/10 · 10 June 1999]

A tip of the hat to the other commentors of this film. Their comments are enlightened and do justice to a real work of art. Here is my small contribution.

Eddie Bracken does a wonderful job as the meek, pitiful "hero", who just wants to go home. (The word that comes to mind is sanctuary. More than a place, it's a goal and ultimate need.) Home, back to his town, his mother, and his girl.

William Demarest, as the sergeant, shines. He gives a laudable performance. Or is it just him? His "bark" in this film is very reminiscent of another famous role of his, that of the "salty" Uncle Charley on the long running TV sitcom, "My 3 Sons".

The town is a delight. It is a typical small town of 50 years ago (or what we expect one to be). It's a warm friendly place with people you can count on. In typical small town American tradition, the truth is triumphant, everyone pulls together, and a tearful, happy ending is assured. I'm sure that if you close your eyes you'll be able to picture this place in your mind's eye.

A sentimental, funny, patriotic movie that would be very much appreciated during the dark days of war, it's charm still comes through 50 plus years later. It's one of my favorites.....

A Pleasant Wartime Comedy With A Good Message About Heroism

[sddavis63 · 7/10 · 18 July 2008]

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

Maybe the greatest example ever of the "ensemble film."

[John-145 · 10/10 · 26 February 1999]

With literally dozens of identifiable characters, named and unnamed, this is a film in which nearly every shot is jammed full of faces -- in fact, it's nearly twenty minutes into the movie before a shot occurs in which the frame contains only a single human being (Mom taking hot buns out of the oven). Filmed and released during the darkest year of WWII, HERO is a smart, unjingoistic yet oddly patriotic comedy of the home front, and of our often short-sighted view of what makes a hero. One of Sturges' best and most innovative comedies -- and that's saying a lot!

not up to his usual standards

[mjneu59 · 7/10 · 25 November 2010]

This typically madcap Preston Sturges satire about a 4F Marine reject (Eddie Bracken, suffering from chronic hay fever) who ultimately proves his bravery by admitting his cowardice makes a fitting companion piece to 'The Miracle of Morgan's Creek'. But perhaps it needs to be seen in the proper historical context of wartime deprivation and homefront morale boosting. Unlike the more daring comedy of the earlier film Sturges here wants to have it both ways: mocking the gullibility of Main Street USA while at the same time celebrating its innocence. Mom and apple pie emerge triumphant, as does the little soldier, and the war effort is well served in the process. Sturges was always a master of sophisticated slapstick entertainment (an oxymoronic combination to most comedy filmmakers), but this time his famous dialogue was more fast than furious, if at least delivered with familiar gusto by the director's usual company of stock players.

Preston Sturges just could not go wrong

[zetes · 10/10 · 22 June 2001]

Yet another perfect film from Preston Sturges, Hail the Conquering Hero is perhaps his most touching film, too. If you've seen Miracle at Morgan's Creek, then you have to see this one, and vice versa. They are sister films: Bracken plays a young sap who couldn't fight in WWII because of health reasons. Where Miracle was mostly about Bracken's quest to win a girl who's dumbstruck at the sight of a man in uniform, Hail deals itself an even better hand. Bracken's in a tight situation. The struggles are both comic and poignant. 10/10

too bad for the manic beginning

[loverealfilm · 6/10 · 6 April 2002]

I like Sturges, and I liked quite a bit about this film. But the first 20 minutes is too over the top and tedious. Shrill pandemonium grated on me. The satire and sharp writing did not kick in until I had almost stopped watching and turned it off. If you can hang in there past the first half hour, you'll get some good laughs, especially from the Mayor.

Buy War Bonds; or Sturges' missed opportunity

[film-critic · 5/10 · 26 November 2009]

Preston Sturges' little film, "Sullivan's Travels" has been a favorite of mine for a very long time. Since my discover of it through the Criterion collection, I have been impressed with the comic mind of Sturges and his ability to use dark modern issues as a backdrop for something that audiences could laugh at. In "Sullivan's Travels" it was the story of a Hollywood director trying to become a hobo to learn about life. While it seems dismal, it provided quite a bit of laughs with an ending that not only solidifies Sturges' ability, but also creates brain candy for hours afterwards. Thus, it was no surprise that when "Hail the Conquering Hero" arrived to view - that same excitement for Sturges' overcame me. I was ready for laughter coupled with a sensitive discussion about an ageless topic. Alas, what was viewed, was a cute movie that felt longer than necessary, a comic film with repetitive jokes, and a satire on patriotism that merely scratched the surface to what could have been another ageless film. Instead, "Hail the Conquering Hero" felt dated, lacked the push to make it pioneering, and honestly, felt safe. This was a rushed Sturges film, despite the Oscar nomination, and like Eddie Braken's speech at the end, needed to have a stronger voice of truth. Too many missed elements coupled with repeat jokes caused "Hail the Conquering Hero" to miss it's mark and remain a "cute" movie.

The concept is an easy one. You probably have seen it a dozen times before in other films; the son of a war hero is discharged from the army for chronic hay fever, and refuses to go home to face his mother. Enter a band of surly, obvious Army-type figures who influence him into going home looking like a decorated war hero. Hilarity attempts to ensue as the town welcomes him with open arms with such grandiose statements as a parade in his honor, the burning of his mother's mortgage, and the eventual nomination for mayor. As much as Eddie Bracken tries to avoid the applause, he gets further thrust into it. This is a moment where Sturges doesn't quite live up to his comedic hype. There are moments where the scenes are very funny, but Sturges overuses the same jokes again and again that it eventually infects the rest of the film. What should have been witty jokes to move the pace, instead become so repetitive that the nearly hour and half feels like two-plus hours behind the wheel of this vehicle. Braken gives the stationary look of shock throughout, Sgt. Heppelfinger gives the same stern look, and moments of comedy are replaced with awkward settings that should have been funny, but instead failed. Scenes which are reminiscent of this failure are; Braken's arrival home - the entire set up for his grand arrival was funny at first, but as the scene pathetically continued - it just felt claustrophobic and stagnate. This could be said again for the scene where he is about to be nominated for mayor. What should have been funny wasn't - and I think it is because Sturges couldn't control the scenes. Too much in too little time provided minimal laughs.

While I claim that our characters were feeling a bit stale, I do argue that they were the strongest element in this film. There were secondary characters that Sturges gave a small string of screen time, and they stole each second. Look out for the priest who burns the mortgage, hilarious; look for the southern Mayor who owns the Chair factory; again - hilarious. I could even laugh again at the Army man who had this fascination with people's mothers. Yet, our major characters couldn't quite reach this level. While the characters were disappointing, the scene structure was obtrusive by Sturges, the actual story was relatively exciting. I loved this concept, the themes of battles not only happening on the front lines, but also at home was impressive. The constant reminders that WAR BONDS were for sale was a small jab at the Government by Sturges, and the universal mind of the soldier who also turned out to be the Braken's guardian angels was delicious. Sturges had a strong mapped film, one just wonders if he was happy with the final product. Again, there were smart elements and there were mediocre moments, all together just making a "cute" one-time viewing movie.

Overall, Sturges again entertained, but he did not impress. This was a "cute" film that just felt too long at certain scenes and at others it felt like missed opportunity. This could have been a stronger satire on patriotism, but jokes fell flat. Sub-characters took control and created a strong town, but the ones that were leading us felt stale from the beginning. I was looking forward to this film due to my admiration towards Sturges, but "Hail the Conquering Hero" didn't live up to the hype. "Sullivan's Travels" continues to be my favorite as I continue to view more from this infamous director's cannon. I was happy to see that the screenplay was Oscar nominated, but not surprised that it didn't win. Good, not great - "cute" - not classic.

Grade: ** 1/2 out of *****

One of the funniest comedies ever made

[xander-2 · 13 February 1999]

Brilliant farce with more than a bitter-sweet tang about the attitudes of small town Americans towards the war and the people who served. The dialogue and pacing is first rate and Preston Sturges' stock cast are all excellent, not least Freddie Steele as the slightly dented Bugsy. His performance gives an odd edge to the film, being an awful actor and a poor comedian helps him stand out and appear as someone more real and genuine.

Sturges is Hollywood's most forgotten great director, writer and producer. Even though he shone brightly but briefly he made far superior comedies than Woody Allen's and those are pretty damn good themselves.

Wartime comedy with a moral and some good spoofing

[SimonJack · 8/10 · 25 September 2016]

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.

Hilarious comedy skewering many of WWII's sacred cows.

[schillout · 10/10 · 15 December 2002]

Preston Sturges' talents were never better displayed than in this manic comedy. "Hail the Conquering Hero" is amazing, if only for the fact that it passed wartime censors (you could say the same for his other great comedy, "Miracle of Morgan's Creek"). Eddie Bracken is wonderful, shifting his performance between slapstick and the slow boil. Hot by even today's standards (especially in the current pro-war America) Sturges skewers the hero-worshiping citizens at the home front, mom, and even the Marines. Great from start to finish.

Hail the Preston Sturges for this phoney war hero comedy that has moral and human values at its core.

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 7/10 · 10 April 2022]

Hail The Conquering Hero (1944) : Brief Review -

Hail the Preston Sturges for this phoney war hero comedy that has moral and human values at its core. Hail The Conquering Hero is considered one of the best works of Sturges by many critics, but I just don't want to go into details now. For me, "Sullivan's Travels" (1941) will remain his best work, followed by "Christmas In July" (1940). Hail The Conquering Hero may end up in the top 5 for sure, though. This isn't an out-and-out comedy, so I can't say it's a great comedy, but it is a very good drama with a hint of comedy. Mr Woodrow is discharged from the military for hay fever, but six soldiers fabricate him as a recipient of a heroic honourable discharge before returning home. Things get hysterical and phenomenal for him, but deep down, he knows that a successful career cannot be built on deception. Here comes the moral and human values game, where Preston uses plausible human conflicts to make you believe in goodwill. Hail The Conquering Hero never goes out of context, and that's the biggest strength of the film. It is powered by good humour, war factors, and insane chaos. That political angle is just fabulous. I mean, a war hero becoming a small town sensation is fine, I agree, but then people gushing about him being a mayor and then a president is just too much and too funny to miss. Eddie Brackenas as a confused and innocent hero fits the bill, while Ella Raines has a decent role as his lover as well as ex-lover. Two of the most riotous actors in the cast are William Demarest and Raymond Walburn. The supporting cast is great too. Other than comics, I liked a couple of patriotic dialogues too. "Now I have two heroes. I have eight heroes." That touches in there in the chest. Overall, yet another fine piece of contemporary comedy drama by Surges that is a must watch for his fans.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

A gentle comedic consideration of true heroism

[eschetic-2 · 8/10 · 14 March 2010]

This widely hailed classic, generally regarded as Preston Sturges' best (and thought to have lost the 1944 Oscar for best Screenplay mainly because writer/director Sturges had to compete against himself and his own Miracle At Morgan's Creek), is one of those rare films that actually get better with repeat viewings.

We first meet Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) sitting alone and depressed at the end of a nightclub bar near the defense plant where he has been patriotically working since being discharged from the Marines for "chronic hay fever" shortly after enlisting to be like his Marine father (who won a Congressional Medal of Honor, falling at WWI's battle of Bella Wood on the day Woody was born). We see him, in what appears to be a regular practice, buying drinks and food for a group of six Marines, led by William Demarest in the role of his long life.

The grateful Marines get Woody's story out of him - that he could not face going home following what he viewed as his "disgrace," and wrote his mother (letters mailed by soldiers shipped abroad) that he WAS serving over seas, and released his girlfriend who he was sure wouldn't want someone who couldn't serve. Freddy Steele's "Bugsy," raised in an orphanage, is so outraged that Woody would cut himself off from the Mother he didn't have, that he calls Woody's Mother, telling her that her son's been discharged following recovery from wounds and is coming home - starting the "little lie" that rapidly snowballs in comic complications.

All six Marines (after first setting up the core situation by forcing their own uniforms and medals on Woody on the train home to pull off the charade for his mother) are such solid, grounding presences throughout the film packed with Sturges' regular team of character players from Ray Walburn as the opportunistic more than corrupt small town mayor to Franklyn Pangborn as the general factotum, that it is almost criminal that only a couple of them are credited by name. The film's chief leap of faith is that any Marine would violate regulations as to the wearing of uniforms and medals not earned - but Sturges the screenwriter bridges this gap neatly between Woody passionately struggling NOT to be caught up in the charade and the soldiers themselves becoming trapped in it.

In the end, in a film not remembered for its subtlety, Sturges' actual subtlety nearly works against him by neither making his justifications as up front and memorable nor his "bad guys" as deeply villainous as, say, a Frank Capra might have, but the warmth and essential nobility of the true "hero" shine through and make this something of value far beyond the time it was made for.

In 1961, the tale came a-cropper in a noble attempt to turn it into a Broadway musical with a book by Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H), a score by Moose (Peter Pan) Charlap & Norman Gimbel and direction and choreography by the great Bob Fosse (who was fired on the road in a dispute over his choreography!). The timing was off more than the content - half a decade later, once the Vietnam conflict had heated up and was still perceived as a noble effort (we were never told at the time that the war was to prop up a government which refused to participate in UN supervised popular elections when the French withdrew from their former colony because the nationalist general who led the drive for freedom - their George Washington - was sure to win), things might have been different. The demo recordings which survive are nice enough - but thanks to TCM and home video, the real deal is available and one of the best.

This is not a pro or anti-war film, it is simply a film set in wartime (and excellently capturing the home front of that time) which quite beautifully looks at the nature of quiet heroism. If you've never seen it, you should - if you have, it's worth another look. It's probably even better than you remember.

Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Mendax.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 25 February 2010]

It is the middle of World War II and American towns are gripped by patriotic fervor. In Preston Sturgis's "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek," which appeared the same year as this, Betty Hutton was what was called "a Victory girl" who gave a departing serviceman a good-bye present that left unanticipated consequences. In Sturgis's "Hail the Conquering Hero," small-town nobody Eddie Bracken is quickly discharged from the U. S. Marine Corps because he has hay fever. Ashamed to go home, he gets a job in the city and writes letter to his Mom bragging about the battles he's been in. After all, Mom has already lost family members in combat and doesn't need a disappointment.

Finally he decides to visit home. He buys a uniform and campaign ribbons to make his epistolary lies more believable. But on the train he runs into half a dozen tough Marines who have been on Guadalcanal. They're led by William Demarest. Taking pity of Bracken's mother, they get him in shape and escort him to his house.

He's unexpectedly welcomed as a brave warrior. Bands play, crowds cheer, his beautiful girl friend (Ella Raines) begins to glow with a renewed admiration. His mother sobs with relief and pride. The townsmen plan to put up a statue. A parade marches down the street.

Bracken is overwhelmed, having thought he'd slip in and out, but his Marine buddies prop him up and tell Homeric tales of his bravery. The town pays off his mother's mortgage and supports him for Mayor against a hilarious and corrupt blow hard. Some of the funniest moments involve Al Bridge trying to make a public statement or dictate a letter and being constantly interrupted.

Frank Capra made a number of movies in a similar vein -- the gullibility of the public when faced with a phony or with big-time crookedness -- but there was always a sentimental climax in which honesty was finally rewarded. Honesty is rewarded here, too, but in a rough-house, grab-ass, ironic way. Nobody will weep when Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith makes his confession.

Eddie Bracken is good at this sort of thing -- stuttering, shaking with fear, being shoved around by a horde of admirers, tearing his hair out with shame. Ella Raines is so conventionally beautiful that she's reason enough to stay home. The Marines are up to snuff. In fact, one of the more moving moments is when Bracken has developed a scheme to wiggle out of town and desert his adoring mother. One of the men loses his temper, Bracken hysterically socks him, and the Marine wipes his mouth and says contemptuously, "Go hurt a girl. That's all you're good for." The fact that the Marine can't act makes the scene more touching.

The director came and went through Hollywood like a rocket. His career last for some years but he never equaled his output over a brief period in the early forties. Too bad. This is pretty good.

Laughing amidst war

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 26 January 2019]

Preston Sturges', a fine director/writer whose career was too short, prime period (1940-1944) made for one of the best and most consistent golden years/prime periods for any director in my view. One where five or more very good to masterpieces in a row were made close to each other, and even the films of his not made during this period were more than watchable.

His top two films for me are 'The Lady Eve' and especially 'Sullivan's Travels', while also loving 'The Miracle of Morgan's Creek' and 'Unfaithfully Yours' and liking very much 'Christmas in July', 'The Palm Beach Story' and 'The Great McGinty'. Also put 'Hail the Conquering Hero' up there with his best, for me it's top five Sturges and as far as comedies set amidst war go it's one of the shining examples of how to make it enormously entertaining while not trivialising or juxtaposing with the subject or setting. Had heard so many great things about it before watching, and 'Hail the Conquering Hero' deserves every single bit of its praise. A film that is still uproariously funny, beautifully performed and surprisingly daring for back then (the edge remarkably hasn't been lost either).

There is so much to recommend, all of the strengths apparent in of Sturges' films. It's beautifully filmed and Sturges as ever directs adroitly with just the right touch of light sophistication, resisting any tendency of too much of a heavy hand (amazing considering the serious backdrop/setting for 'Hail the Conquering Hero'), while with enough punch to stop it from veering into fluff. The story is lively and compelling, never too cluttered or simplistic. That is amazing considering that 'Hail the Conquering Hero' is a film where the antics become increasingly complicated as they quickly mount up, yet Sturges manages them so flexibly and nimbly. The film never stops being full of energy, hilarious and still manages to be accessible even though the setting is a serious one.

A big star of 'Hail the Conquering Hero' is the script, which is typical Sturges. In that it is razor sharp, witty, slyly cynical and sophisticated. Full of wonderfully clever moments, blistering comedy and content that one is amazed at how it managed to get into the film in the first place.

Furthermore, the cast carry this all off beautifully and brilliantly. Eddie Bracken is spirited without ever being annoying, while Ella Raines sparkles in charm as his love interest. Their interplay is terrific.

William Demarest's hard-boiled sergeant and Raymond Walburn's pompous mayor are also particularly delightful support.

Overall, fabulous film and more than well worth hailing. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Fallen Hero

[kenjha · 6/10 · 17 May 2007]

Sturges set the bar very high with the four films preceding this one, including his masterpiece, "Sullivan's Travels." This one is disappointing. Bracken is given little to do except look outraged and embarrassed. Raines is pretty but there is little chemistry between her and Bracken. Demarest comes off best as the Sarge who tries to help Bracken soften the news of his discharge to his mother by making up a story of heroic exploits, a setup that has good comic possibilities. However, Sturges' script is surprisingly flat and unfunny, lacking the zaniness of his earlier efforts. After a brief period of inspiration marked by genius, Sturges seems to have abruptly lost it and this was the start of the decline.

What If Eddie Bracken Tried To Get Veteran's Benefits Later On?

[bkoganbing · 10/10 · 24 October 2008]

One of the things I liked about Hail The Conquering Hero is the fact it got made at all during World War II America. The idea of a man medically discharged from the Marines passing himself off as the great hero from Guadalcanal, even at the behest of some Marines he meets in a bar is ludicrous on its face. But by golly Preston Sturges pulled it off.

Think about it, within a year of the end of World War II a genuine 4F with no pretense about it would be a great American hero in Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life. In the end both George Bailey and Woodrow Pershing Lafayette Truesmith would be the saviors of their respective small towns.

Generally however a military record of some kind was going to be a necessity in politics after World War II. Hubert H. Humphrey had a legitimate draft deferment and was Mayor of Minneapolis during the latter part of World War II. But his lack of war record contrasted badly in running for president against John F. Kennedy in 1960.

Sturges realized that it's the integral part of his satire of small town life and politics. Certain forces within Eddie Bracken's town would like to use his new found celebrity status to make him mayor to unseat bloviating Raymond Walburn at his bloviating best on screen. Ideas about how to govern get real lost in the political process, the same way they do in Sturges's first real success, The Great McGinty.

Bracken who after Sturges left Paramount gradually slipped back in the ranks of supporting players is in the hands of the director who knew how to utilize his schnook persona the best. Poor Bracken is the posthumous son of a World War I Marine hero who died at Belleau Wood and those were the first Americans in combat in that war. When the second World War comes, he enlists hoping to emulate his late father whose unseen presence was felt growing up.

But he's washed out due to hay fever and can't face coming home and disappoint sweetheart Ella Raines, mother Georgia Caine, and aunt Elizabeth Patterson. He buys a round at a bar for some returning Marines from the Pacific led by William Demarest who knew his father back in the day.

The Marines cheer him up and Demarest gets the bright idea of passing him off as a great war hero, discharged due to battle wounds. They accompany Bracken back to his home and his political 'career' mushrooms from there.

Hail The Conquering Hero earned Preston Sturges a nomination for Best Original Screenplay and he was up against himself in that category for Miracle At Morgan's Creek. His films canceled each other out and Wilson won the Oscar in 1944 in that category.

You know if they had succeeded in pulling this off, I do wonder how Bracken might have done trying to get Veteran's benefits later on.

But Hail The Conquering Hero is Preston Sturges at his best.

That Preston Sturges could really make good films

[nomoons11 · 7/10 · 3 October 2011]

Preston Sturges was an odd man out in Hollywood in his day. Independent and full of great story ideas. This was another one of those good ideas.

If you need a little Patriotism in your life, then see this film. It'll make you feel good right down to your socks.

Eddie Bracken plays a depressed couldn't get in the Marines because of hay-fever guy who happens to run into some real Marines that have run outta money in a restaurant. He pays for their drinks and they befriend him and listen to his troubles. They find out his father is an old Marine war hero from way back and they decide to take him back to see his mother and reinvent him as a war hero himself. After this, things turn a little screwy. Along the way there's a mild little love story mixed in and a possible run for mayor thrown in.

Eddie Bracken and William Demarest are the stand out stars in this one. Sturges always goes back to his acting stalwarts to get some good performances and these 2 guys bring the goods.

All I can say that makes this worth watching is if you wanna laugh and feel good and have a sense of Patriotism, look no further than this film. It has it all.

I respectfully disagree

[reve-2 · 5/10 · 25 August 2001]

with all of the comments from those who think this is a great film. I found it extremely nerve wracking. With the exception of a couple of blessedly calm and quiet scenes, this film is one long mass confusion scene with an almost non-stop procession of marching bands, the entire population of a small town, pompous town officials and, Eddie Bracken, playing his usual stereotypical role as a put upon, confused, wimpy personna. The bit with the bands starting to play before they are supposed to is overdone to the point of nausea. And, throughout this film, I found myself giving thanks that Franklin Pangborn is no longer with us so that he can never again subject viewers to his annoying, over-the-top emoting. I could go on and on but, what's the point. By now, you get my drift.