Colonel Effingham's Raid

Charles Coburn stars in this political satire as the title character, a retired Colonel who believes in patriotism above all else. He's too old to serve in the war, so he tries to give himself a different purpose. He returns to his hometown in the South and conducts a "raid" in order to drum up patriotism. No one has pride in the town anymore, flags aren't flying, and the old monuments are about to be repurposed.

This is a rather silly comedy, but if you like "Piggy" Coburn, you might enjoy it. I don't think it will stand the test of time very well given the current political climate, but if you know what side "Piggy" is on and you are also on his side, you stand a far better chance at rooting for a happy ending. Costars Joan Bennett, Allyn Joslyn, Elizabeth Patterson, Frank Craven, and Donald Meek.

The main reason I saw this film is that it starred the wonderful character actor, Charles Coburn. Well, in this sense, I wasn't disappointed as once again Coburn played the sort of crotchety but lovable guy he so often played in films. However, sadly the film seemed like it was very strongly inspired by MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (so it loses points for originality) and it unfortunately ended way too abruptly--like they knew it was supposed to be a B-picture so they ended it because this format wouldn't allow for a longer film! The film begins with the Colonel (Coburn) retiring to his childhood home in Georgia. Instead of just sitting back in a rocking chair, however, he wants to do a newspaper column to keep himself busy. At first, the column is very well received. However, when Coburn begins attacking the local corrupt administration, things start to get kind of crazy and soon it's this character and his new friends versus the establishment. This is all sort of a history lesson on politics and grassroots politics and when the mayor and his cronies dig in their heels for a fight the film gets interesting. Oddly, however, after setting up this great confrontation, it just seems to end! In the matter of just a couple minutes, everyone agrees to Coburn's demands and they all live happily ever after!! What a letdown at the end.

Overall, a pleasant and entertaining film that is worth watching but could have been even better. Excellent characters but a limp finale make this more of a nice time-passer than anything else.

Charles Coburn took a bit from his Academy Award winning performance in The More The Merrier and a bit from his imperious father in Vivacious Lady to create the unfazed Colonel Effingham in Colonel Effingham's Raid. It's one of the few films where this distinguished character actor is given the lead role and he makes the most of it.

Through sheer stubbornness and will power Coburn is given a column on the local newspaper where his nephew William Eythe and Joan Bennett are also employed. It's supposed to be a column about the impending war news for this film set in 1940, but Coburn sees it as a great opportunity to rouse public opinion in that sleepy Georgia town against the ruling clique which has been in power so long they just treat the city money and assets like their own.

The city fathers are a group taken right out of a Preston Sturges classic and I wouldn't be surprised if this film might have been something offered to him. Thurston Hall makes a genially corrupt mayor, this is one of his best efforts.

Catch this film the next time TCM runs it, it's a real unknown gem.

Charles Coburn is his usual wonderful self. He is in a hurry, as he says `at 65, you have to be in a hurry'.

A charming and funny `surprise' film - the surprises are all the little points of humor, which keep occurring throughout the film usually as punctuations to the events. A `Greek chorus' comments on Joan Bennett's legs, a character continually passes out `repent' cards to characters, mostly the politicians, and look for the sleeping husband in the background of one scene. A little heavy on the Southern touches for our current politically correct times, but not too bad in this regard. The ending is a little abrupt, but all in all, a very enjoyable film.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but this movie could have been much better if it were at least 30 minutes longer. There were so many moments where the dramatic and comedic tension could have shined. However, being only 65 minutes long, they crammed quite a lot of story while shoving aside some potentially great moments.

Good casting, but also not memorable.