Review of I Was a Male War Bride (1949) by Justin R — 25 Aug 2013

It's a shame that a comedy as splendid as "I Was a Male War Bride" is so overlooked these days when compared to other Howard Hawks or Cary Grant endeavors. Truly, this is a film full of bitingly funny writing and pitch-perfect comic performances, and is enjoyable from the first reel to the last. Is it as good as "Bringing Up Baby," another Hawks/Grant collaboration? Heavens no, but it's surprising how close.

From the start, you'd expect a one-joke movie, thanks to the title. But that truly isn't the case. Instead, the first 75 minutes or so follows Captain Henri Rochard (Grant) and Lt. Catherine Gates (Ann Sheridan) in their attempts to foil a black market operation in Germany. If Catherine was played by a different Hollywood actress, she might come across a little flimsy, but thanks to Sheridan's deep voice and fearless approach of playing a somewhat masculine woman, she's a terrific character.

Alas, Henri and Catherine don't get along very well at first. But they're both attractive, and they most likely know it. So eventually, they fall in love, and get married. But it isn't an atypical Golden Age Hollywood hook-up: it takes nearly half the film to get there. In the meantime though, the twosome's honeymoon is ruined when Catherine is called to duty. Henri wants to come with her. Yet, the army messes it all up with their "no co-ed" rule, so, Henri is forced to dress up as a male war bride, hence the title.

"I Was a Male War Bride" isn't necessarily a screwball comedy, but it isn't just a basic one either.  It has a joyously witty script with finely tuned characters, and features quick glimmers of fabulous one-liners and physical comedy.  As a comedy, it has its clichés of course, yet the plot is so unique (and ahead of its time, considering how powerful many of the female characters are) and each scene is so hilarious that there isn't a lot to complain about.

Grant certainly isn't believable as a Frenchman, but yet again, he isn't believable as a woman either.  But it's hard to criticize his performance, as it is one of his best comedically-wise.  He has never been more cynical, deadpan, or gloriously hopeless-- he's perfect for the role because after all, Henri is often times forced to go through some miserable outings.  In the meantime, Sheridan, a surprisingly sharp comedic foil, trades her hot "oomph girl" roots for a Ninotchka-esque (but WITH the humor and sex appeal), independent woman.  She is very funny, often times even more so than Grant, because she is able to deliver zingers with the straightest of a face.

The film proves once again that Hawks can do any genre.  After all, he's made movies that range from "Monkey Business" to "Rio Bravo," and he almost always gets great results.  He may often be ignored in comparison to Alfred Hitchcock, who without a doubt is one of films best contributors, but Hawks could always managed to please the crowd and master the genre. "I Was a Male War Bride" shows us just how spectacular he is at creating comedies.

So here we have it. A gem of a comedy, slightly erased in the sands of time but still as magnificent as it was in 1949. There isn't a reason in the world not to sit back and enjoy it.