While this film probably was written with good intentions, what comes out of it is a waste of just over an hour of precious movie watching time. The story focuses on the popular wartime name Kilroy, on American slang nickname for the typical G.I., popularized by a drawing of a comic strip character who looked much like Ziggy of the future. In this film Jackie Cooper is the unfortunate G.I. about to get out of the army who has the last name and becomes a celebrity of sorts when he registers for college under the G.I. bill. He finds out that his name makes him sort of a joke, and the lack of privacy becomes very intrusive, especially when a casket with the Kilroy drawing on it is utilized as kindling for a college bonfire. Especially tough is his crush on pretty collegiate Wanda McKay and the ridiculous romantic ordeals he faces because of it.
While restored prints of this film look pretty good for a Monogram movie, the premise is extremely dated today. Casting to is somewhat Suspect with this having former Child Star Jackie Cooper paired with silent child movie star Jackie Coogan, aka Uncle Fester. Sid Melton, who recurred on "The Golden Girls" as Sal Petrillo, is also featured and it is impossible not to recognize that voice and personality. This would be perfectly acceptable as a typical post-war comedy dealing with the G.I. bill, the arrival of older college intermingling with young adults just out of high school, but the only reason why the Kilroy reference seems to be there is to have something topical to deal with which makes this seem rather pointless. it is one of those rare classic films that is definitely a subject of its time and only if someone is aware of the connection of the meaning of the nickname "Kilroy" would they really get it. Other than that, it is actually a pretty boring film.
While restored prints of this film look pretty good for a Monogram movie, the premise is extremely dated today. Casting to is somewhat Suspect with this having former Child Star Jackie Cooper paired with silent child movie star Jackie Coogan, aka Uncle Fester. Sid Melton, who recurred on "The Golden Girls" as Sal Petrillo, is also featured and it is impossible not to recognize that voice and personality. This would be perfectly acceptable as a typical post-war comedy dealing with the G.I. bill, the arrival of older college intermingling with young adults just out of high school, but the only reason why the Kilroy reference seems to be there is to have something topical to deal with which makes this seem rather pointless. it is one of those rare classic films that is definitely a subject of its time and only if someone is aware of the connection of the meaning of the nickname "Kilroy" would they really get it. Other than that, it is actually a pretty boring film.