Brother Rat (1938)

Dreadfully Boring

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

NOTES: Dedicated to Virginia Military Institute, "The West Point of the South", the stage play by two former cadets opened on Broadway at the Biltmore on 16 December 1936, running a most successful 575 performances. It starred Eddie Albert, Jose Ferrer and Frank Albertson. The producer-director was George Abbott. Although it failed to achieve the topmost ranks at the domestic box-office, the movie was certainly as popular, inspiring both a sequel Brother Rat and a Baby and a re-make About Face.COMMENT: Well, here we are in back in the barracks at yet another Military Academy. This one is called the West Point of the South and there are the usual scriptural tributes to the Dedication and Courage of its graduates.The undergrads lead much the same sort of life as in countless other Hollywood films and the way the film starts off we seem to be in for a very boring session indeed. However, the film suddenly starts to improve, doubtless due to the fact that the screenwriters give up trying to open out the original text and let the stage play speak for itself. We actually begin to take a shine to the film's three main characters - Reagan, Morris and Albert - something we didn't think could happen from the film's first 15 minutes. Admittedly, we don't get nearly so interested in the three girls. Priscilla Lane tries too hard to win our interest, Jane Bryan is a dull mouse and Jane Wyman is as unattractive as the script forces her to appear. She doesn't get any better later on either. But the supporting characters are great, especially William Tracy's delightfully enacted Bottom and the delicious interpretation of his room-hopping, impoverished companion, and also the taken-in Officer of the Day, plus Henry O'Neil with his delightful retort, "Highly unorthodox," which gives the film its amusing conclusion. Keighley's direction is skillful, except in his attempts to integrate studio material with location-shot footage. Not a single one of the players went on location, so long shots are clumsily cut into the studio footage, or even worse, glaringly obvious process screens are used.

This is awfully good comedy with Wayne Morris stealing the show as a Virginia cadet who leads Eddie Albert and Ronald Reagan into one situation after another.The Albert character is too dull here. I expected him to break out. Henry O'Neill is excellent as the corporal up to his neck with the wily three.Nice to have scene Ronald Reagan and future wife Jane Wyman in several scenes as lovers.The scene studying for the chemistry final at night was absolutely hilarious.

Brother Rat, a successful Broadway play about the misadventures of some cadets at Virginia Military Institute, had a two year run on Broadway of 577 performances. In bringing it to Hollywood, I only wish the brothers Warner had gotten George Abbott to come over from Broadway as well as Eddie Albert from the original cast. I think the film would have been far the better for it.As it is it's not a bad comedy at that. Wayne Morris who Warner Brothers was trying to build up at the time plays the lead, taking over from Frank Albertson on Broadway. But I did a double take when I saw that Ronald Reagan had taken over from Jose Ferrer on Broadway, ten years before Ferrer made his screen debut. Imagine Reagan and Ferrer playing the same role, I never would have dreamed it.Reagan isn't bad though as the voice of reason of the three cadets, having to contend with Morris's schemes and Albert's lovesickness. In fact they all aren't bad. On the distaff side Priscilla Lane does well as the object of Morris's affection and this was the film that introduced Ronald Reagan to the woman who could have become First Lady, Jane Wyman. William Tracy also came over from Broadway playing the ever flustered plebe who is at the beck and call of the three upper classmen. Tracy took over the part on Broadway from Ezra Stone who went on to play Henry Aldrich on radio and film. Tracy steals every scene he's in.Brother Rat is a funny film, but something tells me that the George Abbott stage production was a whole lot better.

The misadventures of three VMI roommates during the latter part of their final year in school forms the backdrop for a round of typical 1930's type problems, most caused by the devil-may-care attitude of the cadet played by Wayne Morris. The other two roomies are played by Ronald Reagan, who tries very hard to be the voice of reason and Eddie Albert, having problems throughout the entire film. It's kind of fun watching these three get in and out of jams with their superiors. But, one word of caution: If whining annoys you (as it does me)you may have a little problem with Eddie Albert because, except for the very first scenes, his dialog for the remainder of the movie consists of whining that would do a 5 or 6 year old child proud. However, overall, if you want a few laughs and like happy endings, this film is for you....