Brian Donlevy - Movies - The Remarkable Andrew

BRIAN DONLEVY
"The Remarkable Andrew"
1942 - Paramount

Usually, a film starts out as a script and from there goes to the silver screen. At other times it begins as a book that someone decides would be a great film and history is made. But in the case of "The Remarkable Andrew" the beginnings of this fine film were a bit ... backwards. Paramount producer, Arthur Hornblow, offered Dalton Trumbo (the writer) twice the price of his original story if he would write a book first. On a whim Trumbo did it and the book was a huge success! Dalton Trumbo is said to have used his own native mid-western home town as the setting and one can just imagine young Bill Holden growing up in such a town.

America had not yet entered into World War II and so she was enjoying her peace and prosperity. Honesty prevailed and a full day's work was rewarded with a fair paycheck at the end of the week. Amidst this idyllic setting our seemingly unfitting hero, Andrew Long (William Holden), is seen rushing to get ready for work where he is never late! Today is a very special day for Andrew. Today he balances the books for the town where he is the municipal bookkeeper. And his fame spreads far and wide as to his ability to do it, in record time (beating his own record each year) and to get it right on the first try! But this time there's a problem ... seems the books don't balance.

Andrew brings the dilemma to his employers who assure him the problem is a small one and for him not to concern himself with it. But Andrew Long is a pillar of the community - his great-grand father fought with General Andrew Jackson and he prides himself in his honesty. A tug of conscience and he takes his stand, saying if he isn't allowed to find the error and correct it he will have no choice but to go to higher government officials and explain the problem. This, of course, finds him on suspension. Andrew is quite upset and concerned - not just for his own self but for the community that he lives in and loves.

But just when Andrew has about given up in comes the "Calvary" to the rescue! Seems that before Andrew's great-great grandfather left the service of General Andrew Jackson (Brian Donlevy) he asked Old Hickory for a favor ... "Will you watch over my boys for me?" Well, Jackson being the honest man that he was wouldn't let a little thing like death stop him from keeping a promise! So when he finds out that his namesake is in trouble, he comes marching right up the boarding house steps and into Andrew's room!

Having "Young Andy" explain the whole problem causes the general to realize that more help is needed, so he "summons" the ghosts of: Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Justice Marshall, Thomas Jefferson, Jesse James and a private, Henry Smith to lend their wisdom towards solving the problem. Arriving while Andy's in jail they all sit around the table and lay out their battle plans.

When the day in court arrives Andrew Long finds himself as his own council and brings great words of wisdom to the court room from the past speakings of these great men that are here, if in nothing else, spirit. But just when all hope looks lost Benjamin Franklin discovers a recording device in the office of Judge Krebbs that holds the voices of the crooked municipal workers. Evidence to the rescue ... until Andrew Jackson looses his temper and breaks the record. But the words are remembered and repeated to Young Andy in court where he writes them down and reads them aloud. A conversation that no one, but those in the room at the time, could have known. This causes the guilty parties to resign and all is saved.

Through all of this Andy has been not only trying to calm his own nerves but those of his fiancŽe, Peggy Tobin (Ellen Drew), who thinks he's going crazy. After the trial things settle down and they get married but on the honeymoon night Andy just "isn't himself" and won't come to bed no matter how much poor Peggy pleads! The problem is simple ... seems the General has taken a liking to this new "fangdangled" world and doesn't want to return from whence he came. After gentle but firm pleading from Andy he agrees to go with a chilling but sweet farewell, "I'll ... be seein' ya ..." As his ghostly image heads out of the honeymoon cabin and down towards the lake the new Mrs. Long exclaims excitedly ... "Andy! I see him ..." "Do you really, honey?" "Yes É down towards the lake ... a little to the left ... He's turning and waving. But he looks like he's in his stocking feet ... he shouldn't do that." "It's okay ... he's wearing my house slippers ... " And we see a final turn as General Andrew Jackson vanishes from sight ... but not from our minds and hearts.

Side Notes: "The Remarkable Andrew" is often dismissed as a silly and unbelievable attempt at a comedy but I have to disagree. The subtle humor and genuine love the two main actors (Donlevy and Holden) bring to their characters causes this to be a warm and genuine film that shouts loudly of the loyalty of man when the chips are down. And the chemistry between Brian Donlevy and William Holden is a genuine one. The two were good friends and remained so until their deaths. Brian was the best man at William's marriage to Brenda Marshall, which took place just prior to the conclusion of the filming!

The running time on this film is 80 minutes and it's filmed in B&W. For a complete cast list and further information please check here.