See Here, Private Hargrove

Military men seemed to have some sort of great adoration for Donna Reed in this kind of movie. It occurs to me that this was made possible because of Robert Walker's performance as Marion Hargrove. Think about how good he is in this role, to be so convincing that real-life soldiers can identify with him to the point they believe his girl in the movie might be their girl, too.

But the legacy of the film and its lasting impact comes from the experiences of Hargrove, a war correspondent known for his humorous essays. The essays became the basis for a book which became the basis for this film. And it did so well at the box office that MGM commissioned a sequel which again starred Mr. Walker, though Miss Reed was not in it.

The real-life Marion Hargrove went on to write screenplays and television scripts. He wrote many westerns and episodes of 'The Waltons' which in its later seasons depicts the conflicts of World War II, which Mr. Hargrove experienced first-hand.

The running gag of scrubbing garbage cans (kp) as punishment may resonate with some of us old enough, but it's a slender thread on which to hang an entire comedy. Besides, it's a thing of the past, what with the new volunteer army that doesn't sign-up to clean garbage cans. Trouble is that Hargrove (Walker) can't stay off kp since he's a perennial screw-up, and though the episodes are well-timed, they do wear pretty thin. The movie's based on the real-life Hargrove's experiences in Army Basic Training. As Hargrove, Walker is relentlessly upbeat and energetic, reminding me of a young Jack Lemmon, while the movie itself showcases his talents more than anything else.

As a service comedy, the film is much tamer than the uproarious service comedies of the 50's (e.g. Mr. Roberts {1955}; Operation Mad Ball {1957}). But then, audiences of the 50's could relax and enjoy a lighter side of WWII since they didn't have to face a shooting war on the outside. I expect that accounts for this film's milder approach, which bases its humor on character instead of uproarious situations. After all, training for war might have a lighter side, but it should not be made to look too funny, even for escapist-seeking wartime audiences (1944).

Anyway, I agree that as a comedy, the movie is pretty thin gruel, especially after six decades. Still, the main characters are lively and likable, while Walker is quite good at being youthfully naïve, which may be just enough for a slow evening.

The movie is a light, romantic comedy that takes place at boot camp during WW2. It is not played like the Abbott and Costello movies and I don't think it was meant to be. It deals with a young, somewhat hapless young man who continually tries to do the right thing but ultimately goofs it up.

Robert Walker (Hargrove) starts out as an aspiring newspaper reporter that never quite gets the story complete. He is drafted and the fun begins. He just can't quite get the proper way to do things in the Army and, as a result, gets to spend time on KP (anyone who was in the Army will certainly remember that there was a "Hargrove" in their company). Then he meets Donna Reed (Carol Holliday) and that give him the incentive to do try to do better. However, he is still the Hargrove we have been seeing and the fun continues.

As you watch this be sure to pay attention to the supporting roles. They add a lot to the movie. Plus there are serious moments that also plays to the patriotic spirit that was in the country at that time (the movie was released in 1943). This is a fun movie, don't miss it. 8/10

This is the third time I have seen Robert Walker snr. playing a corporal in his film roles.In chronological order first was this film (1943), albeit he was only "promoted" for one day; second in "Since You Went Away"(1944) and third in "The Clock"(1945).He stated that his challenge was to play the real life role of Marion Hargrove "appealing without resorting to buffoonery".The Producer had assembled an experienced support cast including Ray Collins, Keenan Wynn, Robert Benchley, Chill Wills and Donna Reed his love interest in the film with "more purity than passion".He admitted to a twinge of guilt (even though he was only acting) when he had to kiss her on screen since he was still married at the time to Jennifer Jones,his beloved "Phyl" (real name Phylis Isley/Walker.) I had never seen this film on mainstream terrestial analogue UK TV networks, neither had I seen it screened on our version of TCM nor other classic TV movie digital channels nor has it been made commercially available to my knowledge either as a DVD or VHS video.This is probably because the owners of the film rights considered it would not have sufficient commercial appeal.Nevertheless I tracked it down to a rare American video dealer on the internet and my son bought it for me as a Christmas present, since he knows how I love classic 1940s films.The reason I am interested in Robert Walker snr. is that he was married for five years to Jennifer Jones (whom I have been a fan of for years having collected all her films on video/DVD).I then spread my interest to other actors associated with her.I still think however that "Strangers on a Train" (1950) is Robert Walker's best film.

"See Here Private Hargrove" is an autobiographical innocuous comedy by Marion Hargrove (who wrote the best selling book) and who is played by Robert Walker.He starts the comedy as an ineffective newspaper reporter who has talent for writing but just cannot follow through effectively.He is then willingly packed off by his editor when he (Hargrove) is called up to join "Uncle Sam" at a North Carolina army training camp during WWII.He is assigned to training on artillery but spends most of his time there cleaning dustbins (due to a great inability to keep to the disciplined army rules).As a punishment he suffers what Americans call "KP".Does this mean "kitchen punishment"?For one glorious day he is promoted to corporal for an exercise where the blue team have to out-manoeuvre the red team but despite showing individual initiative he only succeeds in leading his company into the wrong team's HQ, because he still cannot follow through effectively.

His best friend at the camp (played by real life friend Keenan Wynn whom he met earlier in New York during his first professional radio days), tries to cheat him at every opportunity taking advantage of his talent for writing and gets him to sign a fraudulent assignation of all his present and future royalties in the hope that some day he will be a famous best selling author.Due to Marion's talent for writing, they "wangle" a soft option in the camp's public relations department but after a while they yearn to be back again with their buddies in the artillery.They only just manage to do this before the brigade is moved out to go on active duty.The plot is very gentle, has simple humour, is patriotic and uncontroversial and presumably was seen by the "brass" in 1943 as approved relaxing viewing for soldiers.To young 21st century eyes the plot seems naive but it was Robert Walker's first leading role at a time when it was important to keep up the public's morale in the middle of the war.His then wife, Jennifer Jones was filming her first leading role at 20th Century Fox playing Bernadette Soubirous in "Song of Bernadette"(1943) for which of course she won the "Oscar" for best actress at the 1944 awards ceremony.

I understand there is a sequel to this film "What Next Private Hargrove" (1945) again starring Robert Walker in the title role with his friend Keenan Wynn.It would be interesting to see the user comments for the latter film on IMDb.com and how the plot was subsequently developed.

Reporter Hargrove (Walker) is drafted and begins his basic training. He decides to keep a record of it all to later turn into a book.

I find this one of the more entertaining and realistic depictions of army training while preparing for war overseas. It is a fun film and if you have done basic training as myself some +25 years ago (in Europe) this rings quite true. I was a bit of a goofup in the beginning, just like Hargrove, and made quite a mess but it turned out allright in the end and even made sergeant. I can sure identify with Hargrove : he does mean well but somehow it nearly always goes wrong. The depiction of life in the barracks in spot-on with the grumpy sergeants and rather distant officers. Even the manoeuvres ring true. And when did you ever witness a scene where artillerymen in training are learning to adjust the range of their heavy guns ?

Walker is absolute excellent as Hargrove : he reminds me of a young Jack Lemmon. The direction is top notch and the movie is really fast-paced. It sure compares favourably with other army 'comedies' of that time, like 'Up in Arms', also made in 1944 (with Danny Kaye) which even has a scene with a beehive of pretty nurses suntanning on a battleship.

It mostly reminds me of its British counterpart 'The Way Ahead"' by Carol Reed and Peter Ustinov, also made in 1944. If you liked this I highly recommend that one.