George Washington Slept Here (1942)

George Washington Slept Here
Directed by William Keighley
Written by Everett Freeman from the play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
1942/USA
Warner Bros.
First viewing/Warner Archive DVD

[box] Moving Man: You know what that dame told me? “George Washington slept here.”

Moving Man: Yeah? I guess that’s what drove them to Valley Forge.[/box]

This is another one of those wacky non-stop stage comedies adapted for the screen. It is over the top, but pretty funny.

Bill Fuller (Jack Benny) and his wife Connie (Ann Sheridan) are evicted for the umpteenth time from their city apartment because of their untrained little dog.  Connie is quite the antiques collector and longs for a home of her own.  Although Bill hates the country, she can’t resist the impulse to buy a dilapidated old house where George Washington once allegedly slept.

Connie’s real estate smarts are not of the best and the couple immediately discovers that the well on the property has gone dry.  The local they put in charge of renovations (Percy Kilbride) is a bottomless pit of supply needs.  Their access road goes through a neighbor’s property and he refuses to let them use it.  Then Connie cannot say no to visits by her bratty nephew and rich uncle (Charles Coburn).  With Hattie McDaniel as the Fuller’s sassy maid.

It’s a stretch to suspend disbelief for this one but once this is accomplished, it’s an enjoyable romp.

The only thing I knew about Ann Sheridan before I started this blog was that she was known as the “Sweater Girl”.  She is really so much more.  She’s very adept at comedy and always lends a down-to-earth presence to her characters.

Though this was not his first film, Jack Benny started Percy Kilbride (“Pa Kettle”) on his Hollywood career by insisting that he reprise his role in the stage play.  His deadpan delivery is priceless.

George Washington Slept Here was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White.

Trailer