Heil dem siegreichen Helden

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.

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?

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.

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.....

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!