I Was a Male War Bride

"I wonder what the army'd do if I deserted?"

"They'd shoot you. The thought makes my mouth water."

After WWII, French Army Captain Henri Rochard (Grant) is given a special mission.  To complete his mission he needs to work with American Lieutenant Catherine Gates (Sheridan).  Rochard and Gates worked together before and do not get along.

Through a series of misadventures on their mission, they fall in love and get married.  But when it's time to return to the states they are forced to fight through a mound of red tape to stay together.


The plot of this film is based on the biography of Henri Rochard, "I Was an Alien Spouse of Female Military Personnel Enroute to the United States Under Public Law 271 of the Congress."  In the biography, Rochard documented all of the bureaucratic red tape to get married.  Director Howard Hawks and the screenwriting team turned this frustrating tale into a screwball comedy.

This film marked the fourth collaboration between Hawks and Cary Grant; they made 5 films together (Bringing Up Baby, Only Angels Have Wings, His Girl Friday, and Monkey Business).  As usual, Grant owns the screen.  He doesn't even try to be French, but that isn't a sticking point.  He dives into the character (and slapstick) with gusto.  Ann Sheridan matches his energy and delivers a strong performance.  I am not familiar with Sheridan's body of work, but I enjoy her here.

Check out this underrated gem.

I Was a Male War Bride (1949) 105 minutes
Director: Howard Hawks
Starring: Cary Grant and Captain Henri Rochard
Ann Sheridan as Lieutenant Catherine Gates
Marion Marshall as Lieutenant Kitty Lawrence
Randy Stuart as Lieutenant Eloise Billings
William Neff as Captain Jack Ramsey