HALF A HERO

US, 1953, 71 minutes, Black and white.
Red Skelton, Jean Hagen, Charles Dingle, Mary Wickes, Dorothy Patrick, Kathleen Freeman, Polly Bergen.
Directed by Don Weis.

Half a Hero is a lesser Red Skelton film. It borders on the drama rather than the comedy, although Skelton has some of his familiar routines. However, it spelt the end of Red Skelton films and his transition to television. Jean Hagen, who appeared in many excellent MGM films of the period (Adam’s Rib, Oscar nomination for Singin’ in the Rain) plays his wife. Charles Dingle is the editor of the magazine Skelton works for.

The film is one of the 1950s, of the ambitions of ordinary Americans to better their standard of living, to move from the city out into the country, to have bigger houses, better incomes, all the health benefits, the mod cons. However, there is some satire at first on this theme, with Skelton investigating his neighbours and writing an article critical of them. Charles Dingle as the editor has an obsession about thrift and praises people who are thrifty. Needless to say, in an American serious comedy, the ending is very much in favour of betterment of a way of life. Perhaps this is a film only for Red Skelton fans.

1. An MGM production, the 50s, families in the 50s, their status, ambitions, working hard for betterment?

2. The title, Ben and his work, writing, his own image of himself? In Martha’s eyes? In the eyes of Mr Bascomb? The reason for being half a hero?

3. MGM production values, New York City, offices, the countryside, the collage of homes considered for buying, the final home? The town? The people? The musical score?

4. The voice-over by Ben Dobson, his comments on himself, his work, his relationship, marriage, Martha’s pregnancy, the birth, his attitude towards his job, his house? The crises, the fights, his walking out? The reconciliation? The plans for the job?

5. Ben as a character, credible? As a writer? His skills, rewriting manuscripts? The opportunity to write, investigating the people and their way of life in the suburbs?

6. Martha, ordinary housewife, working, becoming pregnant, stopping work, working for charity in the town? Her ambitions, the best for her baby, the new house? Visiting the houses with all the mod cons, going to the different price range?

7. The squabbles between the two, expectations, criticisms, tensions? Possessions, income? Spending? The man who allowed his wife to work but had to supplement her work at twenty dollars a week?

8. Ben, his exasperation, arguing with the staff at the hospital at the birth? His arguments with Mr Bascomb? His discussions with his neighbours? His change of heart, the people wanting to buy his house but change it? His reconciliation with Martha and resigned to staying in the house?

9. Mr Bascomb, his speech on virtues, thrift? His being busy, straight to the point? The dinner that the Dobsons put on for him, his criticism of the meal, the dress, the servant? His praise of their apartment? His wanting to return to it with Ben – and the comedy of the French people who had moved in and Ben’s deception? Finally seeing the house? His confrontation with Ben, especially after his writing the article? Ben and his directness, making demands on Dobson, Dobson accepting him and his conditions?

10. The restaurant scene, Polly Bergen as guest singer? Martha and Ben at their best?

11. The film showing married couples at the time, getting on their feet after World War Two, the ambitions for betterment of standard of living?