I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Just so...so bad

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

This typically madcap Preston Sturges satire about a 4F Marine reject (Eddie Bracken, suffering from chronic hay fever) who ultimately proves his bravery by admitting his cowardice makes a fitting companion piece to 'The Miracle of Morgan's Creek'. But perhaps it needs to be seen in the proper historical context of wartime deprivation and homefront morale boosting. Unlike the more daring comedy of the earlier film Sturges here wants to have it both ways: mocking the gullibility of Main Street USA while at the same time celebrating its innocence. Mom and apple pie emerge triumphant, as does the little soldier, and the war effort is well served in the process. Sturges was always a master of sophisticated slapstick entertainment (an oxymoronic combination to most comedy filmmakers), but this time his famous dialogue was more fast than furious, if at least delivered with familiar gusto by the director's usual company of stock players.

Preston Sturges' little film, "Sullivan's Travels" has been a favorite of mine for a very long time. Since my discover of it through the Criterion collection, I have been impressed with the comic mind of Sturges and his ability to use dark modern issues as a backdrop for something that audiences could laugh at. In "Sullivan's Travels" it was the story of a Hollywood director trying to become a hobo to learn about life. While it seems dismal, it provided quite a bit of laughs with an ending that not only solidifies Sturges' ability, but also creates brain candy for hours afterwards. Thus, it was no surprise that when "Hail the Conquering Hero" arrived to view - that same excitement for Sturges' overcame me. I was ready for laughter coupled with a sensitive discussion about an ageless topic. Alas, what was viewed, was a cute movie that felt longer than necessary, a comic film with repetitive jokes, and a satire on patriotism that merely scratched the surface to what could have been another ageless film. Instead, "Hail the Conquering Hero" felt dated, lacked the push to make it pioneering, and honestly, felt safe. This was a rushed Sturges film, despite the Oscar nomination, and like Eddie Braken's speech at the end, needed to have a stronger voice of truth. Too many missed elements coupled with repeat jokes caused "Hail the Conquering Hero" to miss it's mark and remain a "cute" movie.The concept is an easy one. You probably have seen it a dozen times before in other films; the son of a war hero is discharged from the army for chronic hay fever, and refuses to go home to face his mother. Enter a band of surly, obvious Army-type figures who influence him into going home looking like a decorated war hero. Hilarity attempts to ensue as the town welcomes him with open arms with such grandiose statements as a parade in his honor, the burning of his mother's mortgage, and the eventual nomination for mayor. As much as Eddie Bracken tries to avoid the applause, he gets further thrust into it. This is a moment where Sturges doesn't quite live up to his comedic hype. There are moments where the scenes are very funny, but Sturges overuses the same jokes again and again that it eventually infects the rest of the film. What should have been witty jokes to move the pace, instead become so repetitive that the nearly hour and half feels like two-plus hours behind the wheel of this vehicle. Braken gives the stationary look of shock throughout, Sgt. Heppelfinger gives the same stern look, and moments of comedy are replaced with awkward settings that should have been funny, but instead failed. Scenes which are reminiscent of this failure are; Braken's arrival home - the entire set up for his grand arrival was funny at first, but as the scene pathetically continued - it just felt claustrophobic and stagnate. This could be said again for the scene where he is about to be nominated for mayor. What should have been funny wasn't - and I think it is because Sturges couldn't control the scenes. Too much in too little time provided minimal laughs.While I claim that our characters were feeling a bit stale, I do argue that they were the strongest element in this film. There were secondary characters that Sturges gave a small string of screen time, and they stole each second. Look out for the priest who burns the mortgage, hilarious; look for the southern Mayor who owns the Chair factory; again - hilarious. I could even laugh again at the Army man who had this fascination with people's mothers. Yet, our major characters couldn't quite reach this level. While the characters were disappointing, the scene structure was obtrusive by Sturges, the actual story was relatively exciting. I loved this concept, the themes of battles not only happening on the front lines, but also at home was impressive. The constant reminders that WAR BONDS were for sale was a small jab at the Government by Sturges, and the universal mind of the soldier who also turned out to be the Braken's guardian angels was delicious. Sturges had a strong mapped film, one just wonders if he was happy with the final product. Again, there were smart elements and there were mediocre moments, all together just making a "cute" one-time viewing movie.Overall, Sturges again entertained, but he did not impress. This was a "cute" film that just felt too long at certain scenes and at others it felt like missed opportunity. This could have been a stronger satire on patriotism, but jokes fell flat. Sub-characters took control and created a strong town, but the ones that were leading us felt stale from the beginning. I was looking forward to this film due to my admiration towards Sturges, but "Hail the Conquering Hero" didn't live up to the hype. "Sullivan's Travels" continues to be my favorite as I continue to view more from this infamous director's cannon. I was happy to see that the screenplay was Oscar nominated, but not surprised that it didn't win. Good, not great - "cute" - not classic.Grade: ** 1/2 out of *****

What makes a hero? That's the essential question being addressed by this movie which is, at one and the same time, both a funny piece of escapism for a war-weary population and a very thought-provoking study of heroism.Eddie Bracken is Woodrow Truesmith, son of a World War I Marine and grandson of a Civil War veteran. Given his family history, Woodrow is, of course, expected to serve honourably in World War II but when he goes to enlist he's rejected for chronic hayfever. Unable to bring himself to tell his mother the news, he tells her he's been sent overseas. One day he meets a group of real Marines (headed by Sgt. Heppelfinger, played very well by William Demarest) and shares his story. They arrange to take him home and have him pose as a veteran of Guadalcanal. I admittedly had some trouble with the plot. From what I know of the Marines, I doubt they'd take kindly to someone posing as a veteran of Marine battles, let alone set the whole thing up. That aside, however, once Woodrow gets home with his new Marine buddies the story takes on a life of its own. Woodrow is suddenly portrayed as a great hero. He's met by bands and given the keys to the city by the typical movie version of the small town mayor (Raymond Walburn). Then the town decides to erect a monument in his memory. Then, the opponents to the mayor draft him to run against the mayor. One lie leads to another, and Woodrow can't get out of it. In the meantime, his re-appearance in town causes emotional angst for his former girlfriend Libby (Ella Raines) who's now engaged to be married to the mayor's son, but who really still loves Woodrow.It's fascinating to watch a little lie take on a life of its own and grow beyond anyone's wildest imagination. It's also interesting to watch Woodrow's torment. He knows he's no Marine hero, but no one will let him out of the story. Every time he tries to explain, he gets shouted down by those who don't want the truth; they just want to live with the hero image. Eventually, though, Woodrow becomes a hero. Here's where the study of heroism comes in. Heroes in wartime are usually those who fight the battles and kill the enemy. Woodrow never did that, but his heroism will ultimately be defined not by wartime battles, but by honesty and integrity and a real courage, as - in a powerful scene near the end of the movie - he faces the town's citizens and finally tells all, admitting the deception in such a way as to let the town know he's no hero, but that will also protect the reputation of the Marines who got him into this in the first place.This is a very good movie featuring a fine story and a collection of excellent performances. It should definitely be watched. 7/10

Sturges set the bar very high with the four films preceding this one, including his masterpiece, "Sullivan's Travels." This one is disappointing. Bracken is given little to do except look outraged and embarrassed. Raines is pretty but there is little chemistry between her and Bracken. Demarest comes off best as the Sarge who tries to help Bracken soften the news of his discharge to his mother by making up a story of heroic exploits, a setup that has good comic possibilities. However, Sturges' script is surprisingly flat and unfunny, lacking the zaniness of his earlier efforts. After a brief period of inspiration marked by genius, Sturges seems to have abruptly lost it and this was the start of the decline.