The Male Animal (1942)

The Male Animal - 1942

Coming up next is 1942's "The Male Animal", starring Henry Fonda and Olivia de Havilland.  A passive college professor becomes more assertive as his job is threatened, as well as his marriage.

The film's supporting cast includes Joan Leslie, Jack Carson, Eugene Pallette, Herbert Anderson, Hattie McDaniel, and Don DeFore.

Professor Tommy Turner and his wife Ellen live and work on the grounds of Midwestern University.  They have a happy life together.

That happiness is marred, however, by the fact that some letters that Tommy plans to read to the class have been deemed subversive by the college leadership.  Tommy plans to use them as fine examples of English composition, but the leadership seems to think that the ideas held within the letters will turn the students un-American.  Ellen cautions Tommy about the wisdom of reading the letters.

That evening, Ellen's old boyfriend and ex-football star Joe Ferguson arrives.  Ellen is delighted to see him.  Tommy, however, is not.  Ellen seems to go all atwitter around Joe.

Tommy watches with jealousy as his wife slips easily back into her old friendship with him.

Even the college leadership loves Joe (something that can't really be said for Tommy).

Once again, Tommy is reminded about using the letters.  He's told about other college professors who held "subversive ideas" and the fates that befell them.  When it's mentioned that a former professor went to Soviet Russia to see a drama festival, the leadership accuses him of being a Red.  "That's a mighty long way to go to see a show!" says Ed Keller.

Tommy argues with Ellen later about going to a pep rally that's being held for a big football game that's coming up.  Tommy tells Ellen to go with Joe.

He's discouraged again when he sees that Joe and Ellen have a great time together.  Ellen, a former cheerleader, even leads the excited crowd in a rousing school cheer.

The next day, Joe keeps the Turner household occupied with his tales of daring do on the football field.

Tommy and Ellen have a fight, about Joe and about the letters he wants to read.  He tells Ellen that she'll probably be happier with Joe than himself, and he tells her to go to the football game with him.

She does, but all she can think about is Tommy sitting alone at home.

Tommy sits home with a student and the two end up drinking.  Tommy gives his student some lessons about the male animal and how he should take what he wants.

When Joe and Ellen return, Tommy wants to fight.  Drunk and in no condition to go up against Joe, Tommy is easily knocked out.

Despite warnings from Ellen and the college faculty, Tommy goes ahead with his reading of the letters.  The entire student body is silent as he reads, absorbing the words as he reads them.  The letters speak very movingly and touch many in the audience.

Ellen is in the audience as well.  She's moved, too.  She can't contain the pride she feels as Tommy reads.

When the speech is over, Tommy is hailed as a hero for reading the letters, and he and Ellen are reconciled.  The students parade them through the streets and cheers abound as they rekindle their love for one another.

Cast rundown:

   Henry Fonda...................................Prof. Tommy Turner

   Olivia de Havilland...........................Ellen Turner

   Joan Leslie......................................Patricia Stanley

   Jack Carson....................................Joe Ferguson

   Eugene Pallette...............................Ed Keller

   Herbert Anderson............................Michael Barnes

   Hattie McDaniel...............................Cleota

   Don DeFore....................................Wally Myers

And that's it for The Male Animal.  The film was remade in 1952 as "She's Working Her Way Through College", and it starred Virginia Mayo and Ronald Reagan.  Don DeFore (who was also in the original Broadway play) also appeared in the remake.

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