The Remarkable Andrew

This is another one of those gems from Hollywoods golden era of film-making. They just don't make 'em like that anymore and never will either. It is a shame this isn't available on VHS or DVD. Our star William Holden gets into serious legal troubles and is visited by the ghost of Andrew Jackson, who in turn bring along a whole group of famous founding fathers to solve the problem with, of course, very funny situations. Great movie, I haven't seen it in years so forgive the somewhat fuzzy plot summary but trust me it is great film. It has been shown on AMC I believe in the past. This is a early William Holden film and he is in fine form. Brian Donlevy plays Andrew Jackson with Montague Love as Gen. George Washington (great character actor). Let's hope this gem will be available soon

I first saw "The Remarkable Andrew" on television during my senior year in high school in 1967. I had been studying the Blacklist era, particularly since our beloved teacher, John Stewart, had been targeted by innuendo and nearly lost his job. I remember thinking how strange that this was evidence of Dalton Trumbo's communist conspiracy. It is full of the love for America and its ideals. I am glad that the new film, "Trumbo" is helping to set the record straight and to illuminate the ugliness of the HUAC. As Paul Robeson said to them, "You are the un-Americans". The other twist is that we owned the 78 RPM "Ballad For Americans", sung by Robeson and used to sing it as a family. Another communist or "fellow traveler", singing such a patriotic song?

William Holden (Andrew) gets out of bed and launches into exercises with way too much vigour. He's a tw*t. His day follows a routine in which he is obsessively punctual - to the extent that he doesn't start work until his designated start time and sits watching the clock until this time arrives. He is also an accountancy jobsworth and refuses to follow the advice of his boss to stop nosing around a discrepancy which he is asked not to worry about. He is even offered an increased salary. The film follows him to a courtroom where he must defend himself against corruption charges. However he has the help of the ghost of Andrew Jackson as played by Brian Donlevy and some other ghostly influential people. Can he walk free?

This film is pretty tedious. It's a comedy that is never funny and, as well as an annoying lead man, has several scenes where your mind wanders. A case in point is the drawn out speech that Holden gives in the courtroom. How boring! If you see a ghost, it is usually a scary experience and you certainly don't indulge in slapstick with it. It's an unbelievable story with a ridiculous leading character and not worth watching.

I bought this film because it has my name in the title and I wanted to relate to it. However, unlike me, this is all very unremarkable. I'm still waiting to see a ghost but my cousin has. And so has my aunt. And they were definitely not amusing occasions. Anyway, even as a comedy this one fails.

Andrew Long (William Holden) works as an accountant for his town. When going over the books, he discovers a discrepancy of $1240 and brings it to his superiors' attention...who essentially tell him to forget about it. But he can't...and soon various dead American heroes come to help him with this predicament...including George Washington and Mr. Long's namesake, Andrew Jackson! As I mentioned in the summary...what a weird film! Later, all sorts of Revolutionary period characters come to visit him...and everyone in town thinks he is a nut because they can't see these ghosts that Andrew is constantly talking to.

When you think of William Holden's films, you don't think of "The Remarkable Andrew"...probably because it's slipped into obscurity. I also think it was a film he hoped would slip into security. The plot is dopey and Holden mostly spends the film looking befuddled and it's not exactly a master class in acting. It's earnest..but badly written and with an absolutely ludicrous premise. It's also a bit embarrassing to watch.

What a cute movie! I'm not a William Holden fan, but he was such a cute little kid in this one, seeing him perform his morning exercises while singing was enough to win me over. Three years after his splash in Golden Boy, he stars as an accountant in a small town where everyone knows everything about everybody. He's engaged to Ellen Drew but refuses to tie the knot until he's financially secure. Then, when an error in the bookkeeping records pops up, Bill smells a rat.

In a bizarre fantasy twist to the story, General Andrew Jackson pays him a visit. He just steps right out of a portrait and starts talking to him. Brian Donlevy, in a period costume, white wig, and fancy makeup to make his brow and cheekbones protrude, is absolutely hilarious (and handsome) as the no-nonsense, rye drinking general. He doesn't understand modern times and keeps calling on Bill to hang his enemies. Once he even says, "There's only one thing to do. You must challenge him to a duel," with a completely straight face.

This Dalton Trumbo screenplay will have you laughing from start to almost finish. I actually thought the ending was sad, but I won't hold it against the entire movie. It's very entertaining, and both leading men are adorable. I'm sure they were both happy to act in a comedy after all the heavy dramas of the past few years. Highly recommended, especially if you like small town comedies or political satires.