Such a unlucky one
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Such a unlucky one |
| Original title | When Willie Comes Marching Home |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1950 |
| length | 80 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | John Ford |
| script |
Richard Sale , Mary Loos |
| production | Fred Kohlmar |
| music | Alfred Newman |
| camera | Leo Toyer |
| cut | James B. Clark |
| occupation | |
| |
So an unlucky fellow (Original title: When Willie Comes Marching Home ) is an American comedy film against the backdrop of the Second World War by John Ford , directed in 1950. The screenplay is based on a story by Sy Gomberg . The film was first released in Germany in 1952.
action
Bill Kluggs is a college student who lives in the small town of Punxatawney, West Virginia. When news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor reaches the city, Bill reports to the army, making him the city's first citizen to do military service. After saying goodbye to his girlfriend Marge Fettles, Bill goes to Fort Wayne for basic training. After training, Bill and his regiment are taken to Punxatawney. The men are supposed to wait there until they are taken to the front lines from the nearby Loring Field Air Force Base. The city gives the returnees a great welcome. But the joy of the people diminishes as Bill's stay in the city drags on. Bill's requests to be assigned to the front are in vain, he remains in the city for two years. His commanding officer, Major Adams, refuses to detach Bill because he is too good and could do better as an instructor.
Over time, Bill is ignored and mocked by the population. When Bill is supposed to fly a B-17 to England, this is hardly noticed because of the many false reports that have been made earlier. The machine gets into bad weather over the Atlantic. Bill fell asleep and didn't hear the orders over the radio. When he wakes up, he realizes he is in danger and parachutes out. After landing, Bill finds out that he has landed in German-occupied France. He is captured by the French woman Yvonne and her companions, all members of the Resistance . The resistance fighters filmed a rocket launch from a secret base. They now want Bill to smuggle the film out of the country. To camouflage he is supposed to pretend to be French and Yvonne's husband. The plan works, Bill can bring the film to London. From there, Bill is sent back to the USA. He is told that his mission led to the location of the enemy missile launch pad. Yvonne was an intermediary for the American secret service.
Bill's absence lasted only four days. Bill is a little battered physically and mentally and is viewed by his father Herman for a drift and knocked out. His father later explains Bill's experience as nonsense. It is only when the military police appear to take Bill to Washington and be honored by the President there that the father realizes that his son's story is real.
background
The 20th Century Fox production was filmed in the Conejo Valley and Santa Catalina Island off Los Angeles , California .
The original title of the film is based on the play When Johnny Comes Marching Home by Louis Lambert, which is played at the beginning, on Bill's first return and at the end of the film.
In this film Vera Miles makes her feature film debut in a small role, while it is the second appearance in a US film for the French Corinne Calvet. Whit Bissell as Lieutenant Hanley, Alan Hale Jr. as Sergeant, Mae Marsh as Mrs. Fettles, J. Farrell MacDonald as a pharmacist, John Mitchum (brother of Robert Mitchum ) as Mr. Schreves, Kenneth Tobey as Lieutenant Geiger and complete appearances in unnamed minor roles Hank became the band leader.
The screenwriting team Sale / Loos was a married couple. Oscar-winning Thomas Littler and Lyle R. Wheeler worked on the film equipment, Roger Heman Sr. on the sound and Fred Sersen on the special effects. The musical director was Lionel Newman, while Charles LeMaire was the cloakroom manager.
Soundtrack
- When Johnny Comes Marching Home by Louis Lambert
- Shall We Gather at the River by Robert Lowry
- Somebody Stole My Gal by Leo Wood
- Hail! Hail! The Gang's All Here by Theodore Morse, Dolly Morse and Arthur Sullivan
- You're in the Army Now by an unknown composer
- Deep in the Heart of Texas by Don Swander and June Hershey
- You've Got Me This Way by Jimmy McHugh and Johnny Mercer
- The Army Corps Song by Robert Crawford
- Brother Jacques , French nursery rhyme
- The Yankee Doodle Boy by George M. Cohan
Reviews
"Refreshing satire on military and hero worship, staged by John Ford with a light hand and a wholesome dose of sentimentality."
"A pleasantly refreshing satire on military and soldier heroism from the masterly light hand of the American John Ford. Excellent entertainment."
Awards
- Grand Prix for John Ford
- Nomination in the category Best Original Story for Sy Gomberg
- Golden Globe Award 1951
- Nomination for Best Actor (Comedy / Musical) for Dan Dailey
Web links
- So unlucky in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Critique of Variety
Individual evidence
- ↑ What a unlucky one. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .
- ↑ 6000 films. Critical notes from the cinema years 1945 to 1958 . Handbook V of the Catholic film criticism, 3rd edition, Verlag Haus Altenberg, Düsseldorf 1963, p. 400