Miracle Of Morgan's Creek

1944 - Paramount Pictures
Directed By Preston Sturges


SYNOPSIS

A teenage girl (Betty Hutton) attends an all-night sendoff for some troops before they head off to World War II. The next day she hazily remembers marrying one of them but doesn't remember who... and soon after realizes she's pregnant. She seeks help from a young man (Eddie Bracken) who's loved her all his life and is labeled 4-F (can't go to war) agrees to marry her. She falls for him and their troubles increase.

MY THOUGHTS

The 'Miracle' of Morgan's Creek is that it made it past the censors.

There are so many taboo subjects tackled by the film... it's a wonder it made it to theaters intact. Jabs against marriage, the military (during wartime,) underage drinking, Hitler, small town values, and more risque subjects are tackled in this supreme farce.
Plus, there's the whole 'getting pregnant out of wedlock' thing that somehow got by the VERY strict production code.

The frenetic pacing, witty dialogue, and pratfalls eclipses even the best screwball comedies. The film has to be one of writer-director Preston Sturges' sharpest comedies... and with his filmography it's an impressive mark. He was one of the first (if not THE first) writer/director in Hollywood. Most of his films were in a similar comedic vein sharing many of the same personnel.... but never as biting as in Miracle. The satire of Miracle of Morgan's Creek is equal to or even sharper than the Marx Brothers at their best.

One of the keys of the film's success lies with it's leads Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken. Even with the outstanding writing, the film would not succeed at all without their brilliant and hilarious performances. Sturges regular William Demarest, as Hutton's father, is also a main highlight.

Preston Sturges delivers a miracle... both being controversial and uproariously hilarious at a time of heavy censorship... all the while poking fun at said censorship and delivering a masterpiece.