MR WINKLE GOES TO WAR

US, 1944, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Warrick, Ted Donaldson, Robert Armstrong.
Directed by Alfred E. Green.

Mr Winkle Goes to War is a short 1942 feature, entertainment and propaganda. It was directed by Alfred E Green who was to direct many films at Columbia, including the Jolson Films.

The film is a star vehicle for Edward G Robinson who, nearing 50, had been goodies and gangsters in the 30s. Here he's the genial little man, the banker who is timid, who wants to work with his hands, who has an ambitious wife, a young friend with whom he can work who is called up and finds a new life in the army, its brotherhood, its activities - who then becomes a war hero.

There are some patriotic speeches as well as attacks on Japanese in the spirit of the times. However, Edward G Robinson makes it highly enjoyable and still makes the film watchable. Ted Donaldson, one of the child stars of the time, is Barry. Ruth Warrick is Mr Winkle's wife.

1. Entertaining human drama? War propaganda? The propaganda aspects in their time? Now?

2. B. Budget production, black and white photography, the American town, barracks and camp, military training, action sequences?

3. The title, the focus on Edward G Robinson as the little man, Wilbert Winkle and the humour of his name? The timid bank manager? His going to war, being transformed, becoming a hero and being acclaimed in the media? The irony of the title and yet its strong propaganda effect?

4. Edward G Robinson as Mr Winkle, the little timid man, his age, experience in the bank, the drama Of his resignation, going home, the confrontation with his wife and her concern about what people will think, his friendship with Barry, the tools and the setting up of the shop? His wife's antagonism, covering up? His work in the shop, not being allowed back home? The call-up? Going, the examination, his poor physical health and his tablets? His being taken? Going with the Sergeant and the rest of the group, timid, the food and his tablets? His being assigned to accounts? Going to the dance and continually interrupting, in Jail? His plea to work with his hands? Mechanics, his skills, the hard training, giving away the pills, sleeping well, exercise, eating? Growing friendships? The night out with the girls - and his timid approach? Relief in going into action? His staying even though overage? Friendship with the rest of the group? Their singing together? In action, the bulldozer and his attack on the Japanese, unconscious? The hero? The return home, avoiding the crowds, meeting Amy, Barry wanting him to show him the shop? The mayor and speech? His going into the shop - and Amy having helped with making the gate? The happy ending? The propaganda purposes - the timid little elderly man could become an American hero?

5. Barry, the orphan, devotion to Mr Winkle, working in the shop, the gate? Devoted to Mr Winkle - not wanting him to go? The letter about his working in the office? The guns? With the rest of the boys? Mr Winkle going to war, his hitch-hiking, telling the truth to Amy? The happy ending?

6. Amy, concern about the neighbours and status? Alienating herself from Mr Winkle? The call-up letter? Advice from relatives and friends? The hitch-hiking, Barry telling her the truth? Receiving him at home, her ambiguous stance - but relenting and making the gate to the shop?

7. The sergeant, his relationship with the men, with Mr Winkle, at the dance, the bonds? The various members of the group, training together? solidarity within the army?

8. Training sequences and their toll on Mr Winkle, transforming him? The war scenes, the confrontation with the Japanese and the man avenging his brother's death? Heroism?

9. Popular little story - holding up well after the decades, despite the overt propaganda?