THE GIRL HE LEFT BEHIND

US, 1956, 103 minutes, Black and white.
Tab Hunter, Natalie Wood, Jessie Royce Landis, Jim Backus, James Garner, David Janssen, Alan King.
Directed by David Butler.

The Girl He Left Behind is a fifties Services comedy. Based on stories which had been filmed in the forties concerning Corporal Hargrove, played by Robert Walker in films like See Here, Private Hargrove, What Next, Corporal Hargrove?, Tab Hunter now takes the central role. He was the rising Warner Bros star at this time and Natalie Wood was emerging into adult roles. They starred at the same time in The Burning Hills. This is conventional Americana and appears enjoyable but dated. (David Janssen and James Garner can be glimpsed in supporting roles.)

1. An attractive film from the 50s? Its impact then and now? The reasons for differences?

2. The popularity of the Hargroves series and War memoirs? As a feature of the forties? Their impact in the fifties and peace time?

3. The importance of the narrative structure? The comment on America and its institutions, the fifties, the people and their relationships? The satirical tone of the narrative? Acting fun at army stories, romances?

4. What picture of the typical American family and the values of 1955 did the Schaffer family offer? The good and the bad aspects, the farmer and the expectations, the mother, her fussiness? A typical American mother? The effect on their communication?

5. The importance of the film's background of patriotism, the presentation of the armed forces, the opening talk to the mothers' club (and their rushing off to see the television sports' game)? The attitude towards army and patriotism in America in the mid-fifties?

6. Andy as the hero of the film? Big college career, sporting abilities, his being pampered by his mother? Her work at college? Relationship with Susan? His devices to avoid the draft? His selfishness? The selfishness of the young American man of the time?

7. His relationship with Susan? How much did he love her? His putting pressure on her? Her succumbing to his demands, her walking away from him and resisting him? The effect on his exams and the theatrical overtones of this? his future?

8. How interesting and humorous were Andy's entrances into the army? The various officers and their military manner? The presentation of army life, rules, drill? The dominating attitudes of the officers, of Sergeant Clyde? Sergeant Hanna? Captain Genaro?

9. Andy and his resistance to the army? In a background of later criticism of army attitudes, eg, in the seventies? The presentation of Andy with a chip on his shoulder? The illustration of hie anti-social attitudes? The importance of his fight with Preston? His snobbery towards the other men? What comment did the film make on the other men? Preston and his taunting of Andy? Hanson and his re-enlisting and the telling of his life story? His love for the army as a home?

10. The importance of Susan's visit and Captain Genaro hooting her? The contract with Madeline Schaffer's visit and her impositions on the army? Seeing Andy and the dirty jobs? The visit of the politicians?

11. Andy's development of his hopelessness in the army and his asking for a discharge? The attitude of the officers in not letting this happen?

12. The importance of the military exercise? Andy's being given responsibilities? His taking of these and saving of peoples lives, especially Preston?

13. Was his change of attitudes towards the army convincing? His mouthing of all of sergeant Clyde's cliches? His dedication to the army? The pride of parents and Susan at the parade? Typical of the fifties?

14. The film showing beliefs in America? Attitude towards human nature? Challenges for development and growth?