Themes: Home From the War, Crumbling Marriages, Military Life
Main Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Warrick, Ted Donaldson, Bob Haymes, Richard Lane
Release Year: 1944
Country: US
Run Time: 80 minutes
Plot
The year is 1942: Mr. Winkle (Edward G. Robinson), a mild-mannered bank clerk, decides to quit his job and open a fix-it shop in his garage. Winkle's wife Amy (Ruth Warrick) disapproves of this, and orders her husband to move into his little shop. Tired of being browbeaten, Winkle is delighted when his draft notice shows up. Fitted for a uniform, Winkle has the wind taken out of his sails in basic training, but soon finds that army life agrees with him; when given a chance to go home when the draft age is lowered to 38, he refuses to do so. Transferred to the South Pacific, Winkle instinctively performs a conspicuous act of bravery. He returns home a much-decorated hero, but he's too shy to partake in the ceremonies in his honor, opting instead to return to his shop, and to his now-loving wife Amy. A tailor-made Edward G. Robinson vehicle, Mr. Winkle Goes to War was adapted by Waldo Salt, George Corey and Louis Solomon from a novel by Theodore Pratt. Watch for Robert Mitchum, Hugh Beaumont and Miss Jeff Donnell in unbilled bits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Although definitely a bit of war-time propaganda, Mr. Winkle Goes to War is an entertaining piece of whimsy with dramatic overtones. The title leads one to expect an out-and-out comedy, and while Winkle is definitely amusing and has some laugh-out-loud moments, it's more serious than the title would indicate. The trio of screenwriters have done a very good job in creating a totally sympathetic lead character and in placing him in situations that, while predictable, yield satisfying results. They are perhaps a bit less successful in keeping some of the more serious moments from coming off as a trifle mawkish, but this doesn't seriously damage the film. The authors are especially fortunate in having the marvelous Edward G. Robinson on hand to breathe life into their lovable little milquetoast of a leading character. The actor, well known for his tough guy/hardboiled gangster roles, is equally at home in "softer" characters, and he makes Winkle the character (and, for that matter, Winkle) the movie) into a lovely, engaging affair. {$Alfred E. Green directs with efficiency, if not an excessive amount of flair, and the supporting cast is all fine. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Lionel Banks - Art Director, Rudolph Sternad - Art Director, Earl Bellamy - First Assistant Director, Alfred E. Green - Director, Richard Fantl - Editor, Carmen Dragon - Composer (Music Score), Paul Sawtell - Composer (Music Score), Morris W. Stoloff - Musical Direction/Supervision, Joseph Walker - Cinematographer, Jack Moss - Producer, George Montgomery - Set Designer, Waldo Salt - Screenwriter, Louis Solomon - Screenwriter, Theodore Pratt - Book Author
On June 1, 1942, after fourteen years, mild-mannered 44-year-old Wilbert G. Winkle (Edward G. Robinson) quits his boring bank job to follow his dream, to open a repair shop. Everyone is shocked, particularly his status-conscious wife Amy (Ruth Warrick), who demands he chose between her and his new career. The only exception is Barry (Ted Donaldson), a young orphan Mr. Winkle has befriended.
However, before the situation with Amy can be resolved, Winkle is drafted into the army. He becomes friends with another older recruit, Joe Tinker (Robert Armstrong), who is looking for revenge for his younger brother. Winkle is reassigned to help the supply sergeant keep the books, as he did in civilian life, but he rebels and, with persistence and quiet determination, becomes a mechanic, something that gives him great satisfaction. To the surprise of his sergeant (Richard Lane), he makes it through basic training. A new regulation allows older men to get honorably discharged, but Winkle refuses to quit.
When Winkle's furlough at the end of training is canceled, Barry runs away to try to see him. Amy and the head of the orphanage, Mr. McDavid (Art Smith), find him hitchhiking and bring him back. On the way, Amy learns from Barry that there is more to her husband than she thought.
Winkle and his unit are shipped out to the fighting in the Pacific. He and Tinker are sent to repair a bulldozer. Then, the Japanese attack his unit. Winkle fixes the bulldozer and uses it to knock out a machine gun nest. He is discharged and sent home as a war hero to recuperate from his wounds. A warm welcome is waiting for him from his entire hometown, but especially from Amy and Barry.
