Movie Miracle

Is The Miracle of Morgan's Creek the greatest movie ever? Tough call. It has director Preston Sturges and stars Eddie Bracken and Betty Hutton. It has cameos from McGinty and the Boss (Brian Donlevy and Akim Tamiroff). William Demerest and Diana Lynn have supporting roles. Let's just say, one of the greatest movies ever.

It's 1944. Small-town boy Eddie Bracken can't get into the army, because he sees spots when he gets excited. His childhood sweetheart is Betty Hutton, a sweet kid who is wild about a man in uniform. She goes to a dance for the servicemen who are shipping out, hits her head and wakes up married and pregnant. But she can't remember who she got married to.

Now, Betty Hutton I've talked about. A great comic talent, a beauty not afraid to look goofy, boundless energy. Her life was interesting - some of the energy came from pills, and her career had amazing ups and downs. We didn't get to see enough of her in decent roles. Eddie Bracken is also a great underused talent, buggy-eyed and "homely in the face".

William Demerest is Betty's father, the town constable and ex-Army sergeant. He plays a tough guy, but pulls several broad slapstick pratfalls. I nver knew he had that kind of physical comedy in him.

Diana Lynn plays her canny kid sister. You may not know the name, but you know the role. She's cute, precocious and vicious. She tries to convince pregnant Betty to marry Bracken: "But he's made for it! Like an ox is made for eating, or the grape for drinking."

I won't spoil the happy ending, but Betty and Eddie must split up, as Eddie goes to hunt for Betty's husband, whose name may or may not be "Ratzkiwatski".

In conclusion, Ratzkiwatski!