GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE

US, 93 minutes, Black and white.
Jack Benny, Ann Sheridan, Percy Kilbride, Charles Coburn, Hattie Mc Daniel, William Tracy, Lee Patrick, John Emery, Charles Dingle.
Directed by William Keighley.

George Washington Slept Here is a version of a play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, authors of The Man Who Came To Dinner (to which reference is made during the film). It has the same acerbic wit as The Man Who Came To Dinner, eccentric characters - but is not as completely successful. Perhaps the film suffers by the rather humourless deadpan style of Jack Benny's comedy. He seems quite unsympathetic. Ann Sheridan is attractive as the wife. Percy Kilbride anticipates his Pa Kettle role. Charles Coburn is the jovial conman Uncle Stanley.

The film is an amusing piece of Americana, continues the long tradition of people going into the country - The Egg And I,
Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House, The Grass Grows Greener Over the Septic Tank, The Money Pit. The film is anchored in the 1940s with many topical references and jokes - however, it is an amusing piece of '40s comedy. The film is directed by William Keighley, who directed The Man Who Came To Dinner.

1. Enjoyable American comedy? Americana? Satire?

2. Black and white photography, studio sets, the atmosphere of New York, the house in the country and the countryside?

3. The play opened out for the cinema? Characters and situations? Wit, satire? the title?

4. The sketch of New York life, the apartment, the dog and the carpet, the busybody manager, the visitors and the ousting of the Fullers?

5. The drive in the country, the house, Connie's enthusiasm, the story of George Washington (and the story about Benedict Arnold)? Bill, his sardonic attitude, the various disasters and his reaction? Mr Kimber and his caretaking, offhand style, the digging of the well, the mounting expenses?

6. Jack Benny's style as Bill: crusty, not sharing Connie's enthusiasm, his relationship with Hester, his going to work, the encounter with Prescott, driving over the fields, falling down the well, carrying things into the house? Madge and Steve and their help? His dislike of Raymond? The arrival of Uncle Stanley and his pictures? Playing up to Uncle Stanley? Jeff and his interest in his wife? His putting on a turn, discovering the truth about the map? The confrontation with Prescott, the bank's foreclosure, Uncle Stanley's performance, Hester ruining everything? The finding of George Washington's boot and letter? Happy in the country?

7. Connie and her liking the house, her enthusiasm, putting it all together, coping with Bill's reactions? Working with Hester? Madge and Steve? Her interest in Jeff, the discovery of the map? With Mr Kimber? The finances, the foreclosure? Uncle Stanley and his plan? The happy ending?

8. Jeff Douglas, the neighbour, attracted to Connie, finding the map? The boot and the letter? Prescott and his nastiness, the road, the well, foreclosure, believing Uncle Stanley? Buying the letter?

9. Mr Kimber, his laconic style, digging the well, the trees, the gloom, the bills? The humour about the well-digging, the rain? His having a drink with them? The happy ending?

10. The floors falling in, the wells, the road, the trees, the rain, the staircase?

11. Hester and her comic touches? Exasperation? Madge and Steve and their helping, Madge infatuated with the actor - and Bill making a fool of himself, running on stage?

12. Uncle Stanley, his coming, his photos, his being spoilt, dislike of Raymond? His admitting the truth - and his confidence trick over the years? Raymond and his being described as Huckleberry Dillinger?

13. Amusing piece of Americana? '40s humour? The history of the area? The modern style comedy?