When Willie Comes Marching Home

Robert Keser (rfkeser@ix.netcom.com) wrote on IMDB:

This unjustly neglected comedy is a variation on Preston Sturges's HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO. The first half, while well-acted and fluently directed, suffers from the comparison, especially with Sturges regular William Demarest playing a major role. However, about halfway through, the plot takes an original and unexpected twist, revealing that the first part was actually an ironic set-up for something funnier. Dan Dailey is fine as the endlessly frustrated soldier, Corinne Calvet looks absolutely stunning, and John Ford keeps everything moving.

gerardoarias6 wrote on IMDB:

I have seen this film 55 years ago. My brother and I found it excellent, with natural acting actors and plenty of fine humor. Years later I always remembered with pleasure some parts of it, but I didn't remember neither the original name, nor the director. Recently, researching John Fords films I find this site. Trying to find more films from one of my preferred directors. I read about ¨When Willy come marching home". It was amazing as I realized that this was the Film I never dreamed to find again. I cannot remember so much to be sure that my recollections are correct. I need to see this film again in order to do a more exact comment. During all this years I have seen thousands of films. If "When Willy come marching home" let such an impression on me during all this time, I believed it should be a very good one.   [ show more ]

Gerardo Arias [ show less ]

Arne Andersen (aandersen@landmarkcollege.org) wrote on IMDB:

With John Ford at the helm, one expected a quality piece, but this one is very disappointing. Ford, after all, was not a master at comedic direction. The premise is that Dan Dailey plays a home town lug, who volunteers for the service at the outbreak of war and is then stationed in his hometown for the duration. All attempts to get in the action or even get a transfer are turned down because he is a master at teaching gunning and the Army doesn't want to lose him. He loses face and then becomes a paraiah for his fellow townspeople and finally his own family. He eventually gets a mission that brings back such top secret information he can't share it - and when he disobeys his order and does share it with his family, they don't believe it. His parents and the townsfolk come across as such nasty, stupid, pseudo-patriotic, brainless masses that one comes to hate them. Consequently the premise is NOT funny and the film is one big dud. Oddly enough it was Oscar nominated for Original Story, which I felt was undeserving. I don't believe this misfired attempt at a comedy deserved any recognition whatsoever. Dailey tries valiantly but can't save it. Only for those with insomnia.