IMDb RATING
6.6/10
688
YOUR RATING
Wilbert Winkle, a henpecked, mild-mannered, middle-aged bank clerk and handyman, finds himself in the midst of battle in the South Pacific.Wilbert Winkle, a henpecked, mild-mannered, middle-aged bank clerk and handyman, finds himself in the midst of battle in the South Pacific.Wilbert Winkle, a henpecked, mild-mannered, middle-aged bank clerk and handyman, finds himself in the midst of battle in the South Pacific.
Warren Ashe
- Captain
- (uncredited)
Walter Baldwin
- Mr. Plummer (mailman)
- (uncredited)
Cecil Ballerino
- Army Draftee
- (uncredited)
Steve Barclay
- Soldier Runner
- (uncredited)
Hugh Beaumont
- Range Officer
- (uncredited)
Early Cantrell
- Girl
- (uncredited)
Neil Carter
- Draftee
- (uncredited)
John Cason
- Soldier at USO Dance
- (uncredited)
Bill Chaney
- 4F Draftee
- (uncredited)
Sandra Coles
- Telephone Operator
- (uncredited)
Tommy Cook
- Boy
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
In the early 1940s, Hollywood made a lot of positive propaganda films in order to encourage Americans to get behind the war effort. Many of them were far from realistic (such as this film) but were also very entertaining and did a lot to boost spirits (again, like this film). Provided you view the film in this context, it's a dandy little picture and an interesting curio.
Edward G. Robinson plays the title character--a decent but decidedly mild-mannered man who works at a bank. One day, out of the blue, he quits his job to open a "fix-it" shop--much to the surprise of his wife and boss! However, despite these grand plans of being his own boss, shortly after this he receives his draft notice. Considering that Robinson was a dumpy middle-aged man, everyone assumed this was just a mistake. However, despite the complete improbability of it all, he does pass the physical and is taken into the army! Now of course, you MUST suspend disbelief here--as Robinson has "4-F" written all over him (in other words, he is unfit for active duty). Despite the impossibility of it all, Robinson works his butt off and actually succeeds in becoming a soldier--even though his sergeant tries to get him a desk job. Robinson wants no part of a desk job (that was why he quit his job at the bank after all).
What exactly happens next, you'll have to see for yourself. However, this is a rather silly film that still manages to be quite entertaining. Now if you think the idea of Robinson in the military, it could be a lot more ridiculous. In GREAT GUNS, Laurel and Hardy join the army! Even though they were about the same age as Robinson (in their early 50s), Ollie weighs in at about 350 pounds and Stan looks very old and worn. In MR. WINKLE, Robinson is supposed to be 43 and he is able to carry that off reasonably well.
Edward G. Robinson plays the title character--a decent but decidedly mild-mannered man who works at a bank. One day, out of the blue, he quits his job to open a "fix-it" shop--much to the surprise of his wife and boss! However, despite these grand plans of being his own boss, shortly after this he receives his draft notice. Considering that Robinson was a dumpy middle-aged man, everyone assumed this was just a mistake. However, despite the complete improbability of it all, he does pass the physical and is taken into the army! Now of course, you MUST suspend disbelief here--as Robinson has "4-F" written all over him (in other words, he is unfit for active duty). Despite the impossibility of it all, Robinson works his butt off and actually succeeds in becoming a soldier--even though his sergeant tries to get him a desk job. Robinson wants no part of a desk job (that was why he quit his job at the bank after all).
What exactly happens next, you'll have to see for yourself. However, this is a rather silly film that still manages to be quite entertaining. Now if you think the idea of Robinson in the military, it could be a lot more ridiculous. In GREAT GUNS, Laurel and Hardy join the army! Even though they were about the same age as Robinson (in their early 50s), Ollie weighs in at about 350 pounds and Stan looks very old and worn. In MR. WINKLE, Robinson is supposed to be 43 and he is able to carry that off reasonably well.
No one could play both snarling gangster and mild-mannered, henpecked husband as adeptly as Edward .G Robinson, and in this likeable war movie he's the latter. He's a bank clerk who gets the chance to realise his dream of working with his hands when he's inducted into the army during WWII, and becomes a war hero in the process. The material is slight, but Robinson carries it off with style.
10plan99
As this was a 1944 film this was not made to boost the moral of those getting set to go off to war, and their friends and relations moral, but those who would soon be returning from war. It made it clear that all who served were heros, which they were, and not just those coming home with a chestful of medals, they were super heroes.
An ordinary man in a menial job and looked down upon could make a real contribution to the war not by being gung ho but by doing his job to the best of his ability and taking pride in doing so.
A great film with Edward G fabulous in it and very well worth watching.
An ordinary man in a menial job and looked down upon could make a real contribution to the war not by being gung ho but by doing his job to the best of his ability and taking pride in doing so.
A great film with Edward G fabulous in it and very well worth watching.
Mr. Winkle Goes to War (1944)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Edward G. Robinson plays Mr. Winkle, an elderly, out of shape man who gets drafted for the war and shocks everyone when he passes everyone's expectations. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this war comedy but it turned out to be a fairly delightful little film. The story is as thin as a sheet of paper but its heart is in the right place and Robinson is great as usual. It was a lot of fun seeing Robinson playing a weak soul and watching him turn into the hero was very believable due to the actor. The supporting cast includes good work from Bob Stanton, Robert Armstrong and Richard Lane. Robert Mitchum has a very small part and I only noticed him during one scene. The war time scenes are rather cheap but look pretty good and the ending is predictable but nice.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Edward G. Robinson plays Mr. Winkle, an elderly, out of shape man who gets drafted for the war and shocks everyone when he passes everyone's expectations. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this war comedy but it turned out to be a fairly delightful little film. The story is as thin as a sheet of paper but its heart is in the right place and Robinson is great as usual. It was a lot of fun seeing Robinson playing a weak soul and watching him turn into the hero was very believable due to the actor. The supporting cast includes good work from Bob Stanton, Robert Armstrong and Richard Lane. Robert Mitchum has a very small part and I only noticed him during one scene. The war time scenes are rather cheap but look pretty good and the ending is predictable but nice.
Edward G Robinson is wonderful as Wilbert Winkle. A meek and short man that has several problems. A personality that is timid. An office job in a bank that curtails any creativity. A wife that is not very supportive. No children. A man so timid that he actually asks his boss if he can quit. A man that just exists and never makes a difference in this world. Could that change?
Winkle decides to make a difference. He quits despite his boss. He wants to be "mr. fixer-upper." He has a boy by the name of Barry that he wants to help. A boy that is from a home-for-boys. Barry becomes the partner in the new business. Yes, life will be a challenge. Little did Winkle know just what was ahead in his new life.
World War II needs men. Strong, tall, able men even short, old and timid men. Poor Winkle, his business and Barry will have to wait. His wife will have to wait, but then his wife didn't have much time for him anyway. Men die, men are wounded, would this happen to Winkle?
A fine acting vehicle for Robinson to display that he can act. A film that you will enjoy!
Winkle decides to make a difference. He quits despite his boss. He wants to be "mr. fixer-upper." He has a boy by the name of Barry that he wants to help. A boy that is from a home-for-boys. Barry becomes the partner in the new business. Yes, life will be a challenge. Little did Winkle know just what was ahead in his new life.
World War II needs men. Strong, tall, able men even short, old and timid men. Poor Winkle, his business and Barry will have to wait. His wife will have to wait, but then his wife didn't have much time for him anyway. Men die, men are wounded, would this happen to Winkle?
A fine acting vehicle for Robinson to display that he can act. A film that you will enjoy!
Did you know
- TriviaIn the movie is announced that men over 38 would need released (and presumably not drafted.) In real life Robinson was rejected for service in WW2 because of his age, 48.
- GoofsAs The New Recruits Were Entering The Camp There Were Black Soldiers Mixed With The White Soldiers. This Would Not Have been Possible In 1942. In 1942 Black Soldiers Were Segregated.
- SoundtracksSweet Genevieve
(uncredited)
Lyrics by George Cooper
Music by Henry Tucker
Sung by Edward G. Robinson, Robert Armstrong, Richard Lane and Bob Haymes
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Mr. Winkle Goes to War
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 20m(80 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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