Brother Rat (1938) User Reviews

Rats Forever

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 26 August 2007]

Brother Rat, a successful Broadway play about the misadventures of some cadets at Virginia Military Institute, had a two year run on Broadway of 577 performances. In bringing it to Hollywood, I only wish the brothers Warner had gotten George Abbott to come over from Broadway as well as Eddie Albert from the original cast. I think the film would have been far the better for it.

As it is it's not a bad comedy at that. Wayne Morris who Warner Brothers was trying to build up at the time plays the lead, taking over from Frank Albertson on Broadway. But I did a double take when I saw that Ronald Reagan had taken over from Jose Ferrer on Broadway, ten years before Ferrer made his screen debut. Imagine Reagan and Ferrer playing the same role, I never would have dreamed it.

Reagan isn't bad though as the voice of reason of the three cadets, having to contend with Morris's schemes and Albert's lovesickness. In fact they all aren't bad.

On the distaff side Priscilla Lane does well as the object of Morris's affection and this was the film that introduced Ronald Reagan to the woman who could have become First Lady, Jane Wyman.

William Tracy also came over from Broadway playing the ever flustered plebe who is at the beck and call of the three upper classmen. Tracy took over the part on Broadway from Ezra Stone who went on to play Henry Aldrich on radio and film. Tracy steals every scene he's in.

Brother Rat is a funny film, but something tells me that the George Abbott stage production was a whole lot better.

Fluff piece with the proverbial happy ending

[gnrz · 6/10 · 31 August 1999]

The misadventures of three VMI roommates during the latter part of their final year in school forms the backdrop for a round of typical 1930's type problems, most caused by the devil-may-care attitude of the cadet played by Wayne Morris. The other two roomies are played by Ronald Reagan, who tries very hard to be the voice of reason and Eddie Albert, having problems throughout the entire film. It's kind of fun watching these three get in and out of jams with their superiors. But, one word of caution: If whining annoys you (as it does me)you may have a little problem with Eddie Albert because, except for the very first scenes, his dialog for the remainder of the movie consists of whining that would do a 5 or 6 year old child proud. However, overall, if you want a few laughs and like happy endings, this film is for you....

VMI grad was right

[morrisonhimself · 7/10 · 19 March 2009]

These Warner Brothers players are always fun to watch. Anyone who hasn't seen this sort-of-classic movie really should watch it.

In Ronald Reagan's first autobiography -- "Where's the Rest of Me?" -- he tells the story of a staff meeting or perhaps dinner gathering during World War II.

Lt. Reagan says to the commander, We've got something in common, sir: You attended Virginia Military Institute and I was in a movie about the school.

The commander, possibly a colonel, maybe a general, replied to the effect, That was one of the silliest damn things I ever saw.

It was. Pretty darn silly.

But fun in spots, and, as Reagan said, Eddie Albert was "discovered" and became a major star, although that doesn't explain "Green Acres."

All in all, with this collection of major stars -- although with some, stardom came later -- any movie fan, and especially any film historian, really ought to see this. At least once.

VMI Does Comedy Central

[dougdoepke · 20 March 2009]

Military schools are not exactly known for madcap antics. Here there's a great deal of fun and delight in breaking the many rules in whirlwind fashion. I suspect those shenanigans came across much funnier in 1938 than they do now. The comedy antics revolve around Wayne Morris's cadet Randolph. The trouble is that Morris and/or director Keighley seem to think that there's something automatically funny about being loud and obnoxious, such that one particularly lengthy scene is almost exhausting in pretended hilarity. William Tracy's sadsack new cadet is funnier, but then Tracy is a comedian by nature.

Unfortunately, this is not a movie that takes advantage of Ronald Reagan's natural charm and easy smile. His cadet Crawford is something of a sober-sides and is clearly a secondary role to Morris. Actually, it's Jane Wyman who I think comes across best. Her Claire Adams may be a plain-jane bookworm, but when she takes off her glasses the screen really does light up— no wonder Reagan married her. On the other hand, Eddie Albert is really good at looking confused or perplexed. The trouble is that his dour cadet appears to be in a more serious movie than the one here. I expect one reason the film has lost impact is a shift in public mores over a 70-year period. I doubt that audiences find the various boy-girl situations as scandalously funny now as they did then. Anyway, regardless of comedic skills, the real-life Wayne Morris was a distinguished military man and authentic war hero, making his role here rather ironical. Too bad that today he's almost totally forgotten.

Film debut of Broadway star, Eddie Albert.

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 25 February 2018]

NOTES: Dedicated to Virginia Military Institute, "The West Point of the South", the stage play by two former cadets opened on Broadway at the Biltmore on 16 December 1936, running a most successful 575 performances. It starred Eddie Albert, Jose Ferrer and Frank Albertson. The producer-director was George Abbott. Although it failed to achieve the topmost ranks at the domestic box-office, the movie was certainly as popular, inspiring both a sequel Brother Rat and a Baby and a re-make About Face.

COMMENT: Well, here we are in back in the barracks at yet another Military Academy. This one is called the West Point of the South and there are the usual scriptural tributes to the Dedication and Courage of its graduates.The undergrads lead much the same sort of life as in countless other Hollywood films and the way the film starts off we seem to be in for a very boring session indeed. However, the film suddenly starts to improve, doubtless due to the fact that the screenwriters give up trying to open out the original text and let the stage play speak for itself. We actually begin to take a shine to the film's three main characters - Reagan, Morris and Albert - something we didn't think could happen from the film's first 15 minutes. Admittedly, we don't get nearly so interested in the three girls. Priscilla Lane tries too hard to win our interest, Jane Bryan is a dull mouse and Jane Wyman is as unattractive as the script forces her to appear. She doesn't get any better later on either. But the supporting characters are great, especially William Tracy's delightfully enacted Bottom and the delicious interpretation of his room-hopping, impoverished companion, and also the taken-in Officer of the Day, plus Henry O'Neil with his delightful retort, "Highly unorthodox," which gives the film its amusing conclusion. Keighley's direction is skillful, except in his attempts to integrate studio material with location-shot footage. Not a single one of the players went on location, so long shots are clumsily cut into the studio footage, or even worse, glaringly obvious process screens are used.

Brother Rat is Quite An Unusual Rodent ***

[edwagreen · 7/10 · 14 March 2009]

This is awfully good comedy with Wayne Morris stealing the show as a Virginia cadet who leads Eddie Albert and Ronald Reagan into one situation after another.

The Albert character is too dull here. I expected him to break out. Henry O'Neill is excellent as the corporal up to his neck with the wily three.

Nice to have scene Ronald Reagan and future wife Jane Wyman in several scenes as lovers.

The scene studying for the chemistry final at night was absolutely hilarious.

Fast moving farce gets a lift from Eddie Albert...

[Doylenf · 6/10 · 12 March 2009]

EDDIE ALBERT plays a hapless Virginia Military Institute cadet who gets into all kinds of scrapes because of his brash friend, WAYNE MORRIS, an actor Warner Bros. was grooming for stardom. Albert is so professional that he's a pleasure to watch as he goes from one zany situation after another accompanied by Morris and Reagan.

Way down in the cast credits are JANE WYMAN and RONALD REAGAN, still up-and-coming future stars developing a light touch for comedy. PRISCILLA LANE and JANE BRYAN play the other two gals who get entangled in all the farcical situations involving the cadets.

It's typical broad comedy material from a successful stage play with Albert repeating his Broadway stage role and showing what a fine comedian he could be, his genial personality supplying most of the laughs. WAYNE MORRIS is a bit strident as the top-billed lead, but PRISCILLA LANE does a nice job as his wholesome girl friend.

It's strictly fluff, '30s style, and passes the time without being anything you're likely to remember too fondly unless you love this type of screwball comedy directed by William Keighley.

fun fluff that hasn't aged especially well

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 2 March 2006]

While this is far from a must-see film, it is a lot of fun. This is due to the intense energy in the movie and the cute chemistry between the cadets. Wayne Morris, Eddie Albert, Ronald Reagan, Priscilla Lane, Jane Wyman and the rest really try hard! While it is entertaining, I also must admit that this is a pretty insignificant film--fun to watch but not one to change your life. It's sort of like a really really good B-movie with a lot of up and coming actors. Plus, if you think about it, considering how young and inexperience these mostly future stars were, this is sort of like a YOUNG GUNS movie of the late 1930s. A cute time-passer.

UPDATE--I saw this film again recently and have a rather different reaction. Instead of enjoying it, I now saw the film as more ponderous and limp. In particular, Wayne Morris' character was so obnoxious and totally unlikable I wonder why I didn't hate the film the first time I saw it. Perhaps I am more of a grouch these days, but I really hated him and think his character was not a 'lovable rogue' but an irresponsible idiot!! And why would Reagan and Albert listen to such a sociopath?! And, more importantly, why would VMI allow such a jerk to graduate from the school? Heck, I'm a little surprised that VMI didn't sue because of this film!

Possibly better on stage than it was on screen.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 12 November 2023]

Popular enough to warrant a sequel and a lousy musical remake ("About Face", 1952), this is entertaining to a degree but not really important enough to warrant classic status. Well maybe for the film debut of the play's breakout star (Eddie Albert), as well as the first teaming of Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman. She's a lovely young blonde here, but the character's choice of glasses just made her look goofy, even though she's characterized as an intellectual.

The main story focuses on VMI cadet Eddie Albert who's secretly married to Jane Bryan and about to become a father. He is having problems with one of his classes, so Reagan's gal Wyman tutors him. Wayne Morris is their brash young pal, but isn't really all that likeable. Priscilla Lane as Mirris's girlfriend and Johnnie Davis also star along with Henry O'Neill and the effervescent Louise Beavers.

Then there's squeaky voiced freshman William Tracy who is being bullied by the elder students and desperately wants to be accepted by them. One military drill has Albert leaving the parade route and go over to a baby carriage near the stands. Only a few really funny moments, but it really didn't interest me all that much to be fully engaged.

The Movie Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman Met

[springfieldrental · 8/10 · 20 January 2024]

Actress Jane Wyman, 21, was going through her second divorce when she met Ronald Reagan, 27, for the first time on the set making October 1938's "Brother Rat." Wyman, who kept her first husband's surname, later said she was "smitten" with Reagan as soon as she saw him. Less than two years later they were married, Reagan's first and Wyman's third.

Reportedly, the two became instantly attracted to each other during "Brother Rat's" pre-production publicity shots. In the movie, Wyman plays bookworm Claire Adams, who Virginia Military Institute cadet Dan Crawford (Reagan) is attracted. The pair are one of three love-pairings in the film, the others are lead actor Wayne Morris as Billy Randolph linked with Joyce Winfree (Priscilla Lane of the Lane sisters), and Bing Edwards (Eddie Albert in his film debut) with Kate Rice (Jane Bryan), the later who are secretly married. The Warner Brothers film is based on the wildly successful 1936 Broadway play of the same name which ran for 577 performances.

Eddie Albert had played the same character on Broadway and signed on as a contract actor for Warner Brothers. The Rock Island, Illinois,-born Edward Albert Heimberger dropped his last name once he became popular as a singer. As a New York City radio co-host in 1933, he also appeared in several plays. Albert was one of the earliest pioneering television actors while writing one of the first teleplays for the new experimental medium in 1936. He went on to have a lengthy film and television career, and is today known for his Oliver Wendell Douglas character in the 1965 TV series 'Green Acres.'

"Brother Rat" is a term VMI first-year cadets use to call their fellow classmates during their first six months at the Lexington, Virginia military college. They're required to be in a 'rat line,' an indoctrination the freshmen undergo designed to create a bond among classmates for life. VMI made Reagan an honorary "Brother Rat" after filming wrapped. The B-roll location shots in the opening credits were filmed on the grounds of the Virginia campus while additional footage was taken at the San Diego Military Academy.

"Brother Rat" was so successful Warner Brothers produced a sequel, 1940's 'Brother Rat and a Baby," where Reagan's character proposes to Wyman's. One account on the couple's private life had Wyman so frustrated at Ronnie's delaying tactics of putting off their wedding she overdosed on pills, sending her to the hospital while leaving behind a suicide note explaining her actions. Married on January 26, 1940, the pair was labeled the "the ideal Hollywood couple." They had a daughter Maureen a year later, and adopted a son Michael, born 1945. A still-born baby in 1947 caused a strain on their marriage, compounded by political differences: she was a Republican while he was a registered Democrat. Reagan's time immersing himself as the president of the Screen Actors Guild also made Jane feel neglected, and she divorced him in 1948. Reagan is the first President of the United States to have been divorced.

Meanwhile, Warner Brothers produced a sequel to 'Brother Rat' in its 1952 Technicolor remake, 'About Face,' with Joel Grey in his movie debut.