dougdoepke The movie's timing is interesting. The release date is Feb., 1942 (IMDB), just two months after Pearl Harbor and America's entry into WWII. Clearly, the film's intent is to both inspire audiences and warn of foreign enemies. But the conspirators in the movie aren't identified (with one irrelevant exception). As a result, I'm surmising the screenplay was completed before Pearl Harbor, but war was nevertheless clearly imminent. Had production gone beyond PH, I think the enemy would have been clearly identified. Anyway, it's a rather interesting aspect of the movie's context.With its flag-waving title, no one expects anything deep or probing. Rather, the plot honors an idealized "average" American, Joe (Young), whose fortitude and ingenuity thwarts an (unidentified) enemy's attempt to steal a revolutionary bomb-sight. The narrative ties Joe's courage to that of the heroic Nathan Hale's famous "… but one life to give for my country." Thus, America can face confidently into the War knowing that average Americans retain the heroic stature of old.I like the first part showing Joe's work and home life. Surprisingly, events resist descending into treacle, mainly because of actor Young and a refusal to sentimentalize him—(He believes in God, but as a working man he sleeps in rather than going to church). At the same time, Hunt's idealized housewife is dutiful and supportive, the way a wife was expected to be. The second half, however, drifts into plot contrivance and pedestrian violence. Still, I like the way Joe tries to use happy time recollections to get him through the ordeal. Then too, the flashbacks fill in the earlier period of Joe's blissful courtship and marriage to Mary (note the Biblical first names), rounding out their background with patriotic rituals. (btw, as of 2017, she's still with us at age 100!).Not much of an analytic nature should be expected from this glimpse into wartime ideals. Nonetheless, the cast remains a winning one, along with smooth direction (except for the closing twist), and realistic locations. All in all, thanks be to TMC for digging up this obscure but revealing artifact.

utgard14 This one's good. Released shortly after the United States had entered WW2, it stars Robert Young as a guy working on a special project for the government who is kidnapped by enemy agents. They beat him up for hours to try and find out what he knows. It's an exciting, fast-paced movie that clocks in at barely over sixty minutes. It reminds me of a longer version of the Crime Does Not Pay short films. If you're familiar with that series I think you'll see what I'm talking about. The cast is good, with Robert Young doing a terrific job in the lead and nice support from the lovely Marsha Hunt as his wife and a young Darryl Hickman as his son. Recognizable character actors make up the rest of the cast. It's an unabashedly patriotic and entertaining movie that doesn't waste a minute of its runtime. Worth a look for most classic film fans.

Neil Doyle This is an exceptionally well-written and directed B-film from MGM directed in crisp, tense style by RICHARD THORPE.ROBERT YOUNG is at his most affable best as a typical young man of the '40s era who is sought by the government to work on plans for a new bomb-sight design which he must keep top secret. Spies kidnap him and it's while he's being held hostage that he forces himself to remember how he met his wife (MARSHA HUNT) and there are a series of homespun scenes with Young and his son, DARRYL HICKMAN.But even though loaded with flashbacks, Thorpe keeps the action and suspense alive by cutting back and forth between those scenes and clips of his brutal torture by the spies. Fortunately, he keeps his wits about him and is able to recall various things about the hiding place and his captors that help the FBI capture them in the end. A clever series of incidents leads to the manner in which he's able to lead them to the hideout.Well done in crisp style with Robert Young and Marsha Hunt making an attractive pair in the leading roles. Darryl Hickman is effective as the son who has a secret of his own that he's unwilling to tell.Well worth watching as a bit of American propaganda at the outset of WWII.

faxusnow I saw this as a child, probably 9 or 10 years old, and can remember thinking how clever this man was to remember the route of the kidnap car. Well acted, Robert Young as the hero and kept you on the edge of the seat all through the movie. Have not seen it since and need to review the movie again.