If accused of embezzlement from the company you work for, who better to defend you then some alleged great heroes of American history? More than 75 years after the making of this movie, there is some doubt as to Andrew Jackson's true place in American history, but for a war film made with patriotic ideals, Hollywood did what it could with their knowledge at that time of the character of American Heroes. So the viewer gets Jackson, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and a few others (including Jesse James). The public knows a lot more about these people today then American history books was showing us in 1942, so much of the plot line of this comedy fantasy has to be taken for the time it was made in.
Written and copyrighted before America got into World War II, this deals with the ideals of democracy as they were believed to have been during that time period. Brian Donlevy, a major star at the time, was the biggest name and got top billing as former president / General Andrew Jackson, representing William Holden who has been framed for embezzlement. Physically, it is Holden representing himself, utilizing the words of the various American Heroes who appear as their spirits to guide him. Fiance Ellen Drew is sure that Holden has been hitting the bottle too much or has simply gone bonkers, and in a violent display, swings around an antique sword to prove to Holden that he is completely alone. it is made all the more funny by Jackson's spirit hopping about to avoid being struck, even though we know that he's only ectoplasm.
While this film has basically been forgotten, it truly stands the test of time simply as a reminder of what American ideals have always been about. They may not always have been upheld, but they've been always there through our constitution to remind us, given more integrity through the presence of the other spirits who occasionally drop in their advice. It's a clever screenplay, with Donlevy and Holden likable heroes and Drew alternating between sweetheart and shrew. A great supporting cast (which includes the adorable Jimmy Conlin as a clumsy unknown who just happened to be along for the ride back from the other side) aids the fluffy but patriotic nature of the script. So while George Washington and the other American heroes might not have slept here (to quote a popular Broadway play of the early 1940's) by the time this is done, you may have felt their spirit appearing as well.
Written and copyrighted before America got into World War II, this deals with the ideals of democracy as they were believed to have been during that time period. Brian Donlevy, a major star at the time, was the biggest name and got top billing as former president / General Andrew Jackson, representing William Holden who has been framed for embezzlement. Physically, it is Holden representing himself, utilizing the words of the various American Heroes who appear as their spirits to guide him. Fiance Ellen Drew is sure that Holden has been hitting the bottle too much or has simply gone bonkers, and in a violent display, swings around an antique sword to prove to Holden that he is completely alone. it is made all the more funny by Jackson's spirit hopping about to avoid being struck, even though we know that he's only ectoplasm.
While this film has basically been forgotten, it truly stands the test of time simply as a reminder of what American ideals have always been about. They may not always have been upheld, but they've been always there through our constitution to remind us, given more integrity through the presence of the other spirits who occasionally drop in their advice. It's a clever screenplay, with Donlevy and Holden likable heroes and Drew alternating between sweetheart and shrew. A great supporting cast (which includes the adorable Jimmy Conlin as a clumsy unknown who just happened to be along for the ride back from the other side) aids the fluffy but patriotic nature of the script. So while George Washington and the other American heroes might not have slept here (to quote a popular Broadway play of the early 1940's) by the time this is done, you may have felt their spirit appearing as well.