Mr. Winkle Goes to War
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| Mr. Winkle Goes to War | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Alfred E. Green |
| Written by | Theodore Pratt (novel) George Corey Waldo Salt Louis Solomon |
| Starring | Edward G. Robinson Ruth Warrick |
| Release date(s) | July 19, 1944 |
| Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Mr. Winkle Goes to War is a 1944 war comedy film starring Edward G. Robinson and Ruth Warrick, based on a novel by Theodore Pratt.
[edit] Plot summary
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 be honorably discharged, but Winkle turns it down.
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.
[edit] Cast
- Edward G. Robinson as Wilbert G. Winkle
- Ruth Warrick as Amy Winkle
- Ted Donaldson as Barry
- Robert Armstrong as Joe Tinker
- Richard Lane as Sergeant "Alphabet" Czeidrowski
- Bob Stanton as Jack Pettigrew, another, younger bank employee also drafted (credited as Bob Haymes)
- Richard Gaines as Ralph Westcott
- Art Smith as Mr. McDavid
Robert Mitchum and Hugh Beaumont (better known as the father in Leave It to Beaver) have uncredited roles.
