The Remarkable Andrew

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?

The Remarkable Andrew is a charming and whimsical fantasy with strong Frank Capra like overtones. A pair of Andrews are involved here, the 7th president of the United States Andrew Jackson played by Brian Donlevy and Andrew Long a city bookkeeper in Shale City, Colorado whose ancestor saved Jackson's life at the Battle Of New Orleans.

William Holden plays Andrew Long who finds a discrepancy in the city books and he resists pressure to whitewash and cover up the discrepancy. For that he's framed to take the fall for the discrepancy.

The ghost of Andrew Jackson comes to pay an old debt which causes a few comical moments for the audience, not for Holden especially with his fiancé Ellen Drew. When Holden is jailed Jackson brings reinforcements with the ghosts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, Benjamin Franklin, and Jesse James. Obviously Jesse has talents that can be put to use the others lack and does. And there is poor Private Henry Smith played by Jimmy Conlin who came along for the ride.

The courtroom scene is a classic reminding one so much of Mister Deeds Goes To Town when Gary Cooper's sanity is called into question. Or Jimmy Stewart fighting his expulsion from the Senate is Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.

In fact Bill Holden who said that he admired Spencer Tracy and Fredric March as actors gets to deliver a long Tracy like speech to the court. He did the same kind of speech at the board meeting climax scene in Executive Suite in the next decade. His ghostly friends provide him the ammunition to clear himself.

Directed by Stuart Heisler the script was adopted by Dalton Trumbo of the Hollywood 10 from his own novel. If this was the stuff that got him blacklisted it's a frightening prospect.

The Remarkable Andrew is a real gem among the early films of William Holden.

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.

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

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.