Hail the Conquering Hero (1944)

September 7, 2022 7:01 PM

Trying to follow the footsteps of his family of war heroes, Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) leaves his small town to join the Marines during World War II. Discharged for hay fever after only a month, he takes a job at a San Diego shipyard and writes letters to his mother about his fictitious wartime exploits. When the time comes to return home, a group of Marines pities him and returns with to convince the town that , Woodrow is the great hero he claimed.

Written, produced, and directed by Preston Sturges.

95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently available for digital rental on Google Play and Vudu. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (6 comments total)

Simply put: this is my favorite comedy I have ever seen. It is like a tonic to me and I can put it on over and over to lift my spirits.

Preston Sturges is amazing.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:02 PM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]

My favorite Preston Sturges movie depends on which one I just saw, but this one never disappoints.
posted by acrasis at 3:35 PM on September 8, 2022 [2 favorites]

Hmmm.. I've never heard of this but am quite fond of The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, another Sturges film featuring the same lead actor. I'll have to check it out!
posted by Nerd of the North at 5:13 PM on September 8, 2022

I love this one too, so much. It's just so wonderful watching Woodrow's journey, and all the Sturges-style characters in the town. Eddie Bracken makes me laugh so goddamn hard in Miracle of Morgan's Creek, and here I think he's a little more subdued, the writing is more subdued despite the hijinks and shenanigans, but it's till such a great performance.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 10:09 AM on September 9, 2022

Yeah, Miracle and Sullivan's Travels get most of the attention, but he has so many genius works. I haven't seen this one, but I think it's in a box set gifted to me once, so I'll be back.
posted by rhizome at 12:21 PM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

This is probably a close second with Miracle of Morgan's Creek for me though I think most of the films from this immediate period (1940 to 1944) for Sturges are good - Great McGinty, Lady Eve, Sullivan's Travels, Palm Beach Story, Miracle of Morgan's Creek and Hail the... Christmas in July and Great Moment are likely the weakest in there but both have their moments.
posted by Ashwagandha at 12:25 PM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]