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JT ISSUE" of "Redbook
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REDBOOK'S PICTURES OF THE MONTH SELECTED BY THORNTON DELEHANTY
Hail the Conquering Hero
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THE artful and unpredictable Preston Sturges has turned out for Paramount another ebullient comedy in '"Hail the Conquering Hero." Unlike "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek,". however, this latest story of his is tempered with drama. It is as if the irrepressibly comic spirit which seems
to imbue Sturges had been suddenly arrested by a sobering theme.
A he result is a curious and exhilarating mixture of hilarity and poignance. A young Marine named W oodrow Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) is honorably discharged because he is suffering from chronic hay fever. Ashamed, he gets a job in a distant war plant while pretending to be fighting at Guadalcanal. A group of bona fide Marine heroes, back from the South Pacific, encounters W oodrow one night when he is despondently considering his plight in a San Francisco
bar. They learn that his father met a glorious death with the Marines in the first World War. Overcome with the spirit of helpfulness, they literally railroad him back to his home town, where, against his vehement protestations, they pass him off as one of themselves.
Excitement in the town runs over; young W oodrow is nominated for Mayor. Hoisted on the platform to make his acceptance speech, the abashed youth stuns the audience by blurting out the truth.
As one of the Marine conspirators later says to the same audience, it took more courage to make that speech than many a hero shows on the battlefield. This climax, with its sudden twist and its searching of the heart, provides Mr. Bracken with the opportunity to reveal himself as an actor of depth and feeling. The scene is superbly written and acted.
Ella Raines gives an excellent performance as the girl whom W oodrow almost loses, and there are noteworthy portrayals by William Demarest, Freddie Steele, Bill Edwards and Georgia Caine. In fact, the entire picture, in its acting and in Mr. Sturges' writing and direction, is a brilliant accomplishment.
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Woodrow Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) is ashamed to go home after his medical discharge from the Marines.
Some Guadalcanal veterans he befriended volunteer to take him home and fix things up for him.
The town has learned of his homecoming and, believing him to be a great hero, gives him a rousing reception.
Woodrow tries to tell Lib* Still unable to reveal his Instead of making an achy (Ella Raines) the truth, real status, Woodrow is nom ceptance speech, Woodrow conbut the Marines get hold of inated for Mayor by the ad f esses, and the town decides that him first. miring citizens. he is none the less a hero.