‘See Here, Private Hargrove’ made a star of Robert Walker

Though the majority of combat films made during World War II were propaganda dramas and action-adventures, a few service comedies managed to sneak into the mix. One of the most popular comedies, 1944’s “See Here, Private Hargrove” just arrived on Warner Archive for Memorial Day. Based on journalist Marion Hargrove’s bestselling memoir of his days in boot camp, the film made a star out of Robert Walker, who received acclaim as the baby-faced Hargrove. The comedy also showcased the talents of a young Donna Reed as Hargrove’s girlfriend and Keenan Wynn as his fast-talking buddy. The film spawned the 1945 sequel, “What’s Next, Corporal Hargrove?” The real Hargrove enjoyed a career as a screenwriter (1962’s “The Music Man”). He died in 2003 at the age of 83.