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A Medal for Benny

  • 19451945
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 17m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
171
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Arturo de Córdova and Dorothy Lamour in A Medal for Benny (1945)
  • Drama
Outcast Benny Martin joined the army to escape public scorn. But when the townspeople learn that he is to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, they pretend that he and his family are ch... Read allOutcast Benny Martin joined the army to escape public scorn. But when the townspeople learn that he is to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, they pretend that he and his family are cherished, eminent citizens.Outcast Benny Martin joined the army to escape public scorn. But when the townspeople learn that he is to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, they pretend that he and his family are cherished, eminent citizens.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
171
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Irving Pichel
  • Writers
    • Frank Butler(screen play)
    • Jack Wagner(additional dialogue)
    • John Steinbeck(story)
  • Stars
    • Dorothy Lamour
    • Arturo de Córdova
    • J. Carrol Naish
Top credits
  • Director
    • Irving Pichel
  • Writers
    • Frank Butler(screen play)
    • Jack Wagner(additional dialogue)
    • John Steinbeck(story)
  • Stars
    • Dorothy Lamour
    • Arturo de Córdova
    • J. Carrol Naish
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Photos6

    Arturo de Córdova and Dorothy Lamour in A Medal for Benny (1945)
    Fernando Alvarado in A Medal for Benny (1945)
    Arturo de Córdova in A Medal for Benny (1945)
    Fernando Alvarado, Arturo de Córdova, Dorothy Lamour, and J. Carrol Naish in A Medal for Benny (1945)
    Arturo de Córdova in A Medal for Benny (1945)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dorothy Lamour
    Dorothy Lamour
    • Lolita Sierraas Lolita Sierra
    Arturo de Córdova
    Arturo de Córdova
    • Joe Moralesas Joe Morales
    J. Carrol Naish
    J. Carrol Naish
    • Charley Martinas Charley Martin
    Mikhail Rasumny
    Mikhail Rasumny
    • Raphael Catalinaas Raphael Catalina
    Fernando Alvarado
    Fernando Alvarado
    • Chito Sierraas Chito Sierra
    Charles Dingle
    Charles Dingle
    • Zach Mibbeas Zach Mibbe
    Frank McHugh
    Frank McHugh
    • Edgar Lovekinas Edgar Lovekin
    Rosita Moreno
    Rosita Moreno
    • Toodles Castroas Toodles Castro
    Grant Mitchell
    Grant Mitchell
    • Mayor of Panteraas Mayor of Pantera
    Douglass Dumbrille
    Douglass Dumbrille
    • Generalas General
    Oliver Blake
    Oliver Blake
    • Pepsteras Pepster
    • (uncredited)
    Isabelita Castro
    • Luzas Luz
    • (uncredited)
    Eddy Chandler
    • Bank Guardas Bank Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Jimmie Dundee
    Jimmie Dundee
    • Copas Cop
    • (uncredited)
    Tom Fadden
    Tom Fadden
    • Eddie Krinchas Eddie Krinch
    • (uncredited)
    Edward Fielding
    Edward Fielding
    • Governoras Governor
    • (uncredited)
    Maxine Fife
    • Telephone Operatoras Telephone Operator
    • (uncredited)
    Alice Fleming
    Alice Fleming
    • Dowageras Dowager
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Irving Pichel
    • Writers
      • Frank Butler(screen play)
      • Jack Wagner(additional dialogue) (story)
      • John Steinbeck(story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.
    • Quotes

      Charley Martin: Maybe its good for the country that she must depend for life on all kinds of people and men like my son.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Svengoolie: House of Frankenstein (2007)

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A Sergeant York type hero
    Although Dorothy Lamour and Mexican film star Arturo DeCordoba are first billed and Lamour's presence is to insure some box office, therral star of A Medal For Benny is J. Carrol Niash.

    Was one of those incredibly versatile players who casts as just about any nationality or ethnic type called for. He reached the high point of his career with an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor playing a simple Mexican American fisherman whose son has gone off to war.

    The girl he left behind is Dorothy Lamour but DeCordoba would like to get something going with her and does.

    In the meantime Naish who can't get the right time of day from town elders becomes much in demand when it is learned that Benny the son has become a Sergeant York type hero in the war. Only it was at the cost of his life.

    Of course the town elders want to exploit the town's new found fame to the max. What happens is for you to see the film for. But Naish while bewildered by all the attention gives everyone a lesson in dignity and pride.

    A Medal For Benny also got an Oscar nomination for Best Original Story and one of its writers was John Steinbeck. Notice should be given to character actors Charles Dingle his usual pompous self as the mayor and Frank McHugh as a publicity agent.

    Still this is Naish's picture, a real gem from Paramount's B picture unit.
    helpful•3
    0
    • bkoganbing
    • Oct 4, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 16, 1945 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Şeref Madalyası
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 17 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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