I Was a Male War Bride (1949): Cast & Plot
I Was a Male War Bride is a 1949 romantic comedy directed by Howard Hawks, starring John Serret as French Notary (uncredited), André Charlot and Stanley Maxted. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is I Was a Male War Bride About?
The premise of I Was a Male War Bride without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After being assigned to work in occupied Germany, an American lieutenant marries a French army captain. Under the post‑war War Bride Act, the captain seeks a way to accompany the lieutenant back to the United States, navigating bureaucratic hurdles and cultural misunderstandings.
I Was a Male War Bride Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- crossdressing
- screwball comedy
- u.s. military
- war bride
- marriage proposal
- post world war two
- allied occupation of germany
- sealift
- bremerhaven germany
- immigration
- passport
- black market
+38 more Show fewer
- haystack
- bureaucracy
- backrub
- soldier
- women's army corps
- taxi
- bad nauheim germany
- weir
- harbor
- sleep deprivation
- document
- motor pool
- door knob
- burgomaster
- jealousy
- satire comedy
- farce comedy
- female impersonation
- fall from building ledge
- undercover
- exit visa
- sexism
- bartender
- shore patrol
- military comedy
- double cross
- countryside
- consul
- newlywed
- statue of liberty
- sidecar
- chaplain
- bathtub
- blockbuster
- nurse
- wedding night
- fake illness
- brig
I Was a Male War Bride Cast & Characters
John Serret leads the cast as French Notary (uncredited), with André Charlot as French Minister (uncredited) and Stanley Maxted as U.S. Consul in Heidelberg (uncredited). Directed by Howard Hawks; 55 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Howard Hawks
- John Serret as French Notary (uncredited)
- André Charlot as French Minister (uncredited)
- Stanley Maxted as U.S. Consul in Heidelberg (uncredited)
-
Cary Grant as Capt. Henri Rochard
Also Starring in I Was a Male War Bride
· 51 more- Martin Miller Herr Schindler (uncredited)
- Ann Sheridan Lt. Catherine Gates
- Edward Platt Lieutenant in Gates' Office (uncredited)
- David McMahon Army Chaplain (uncredited)
- Kenneth Tobey Red (uncredited)
- Michael Balfour Male Billet Sergeant (uncredited)
- Arthur Hill Dependents Clearing Officer (uncredited)
- Harry Lauter Naval Lt. Perkins (uncredited)
- Russ Conway Cmdr. Willis - Chaplain (uncredited)
- Alex Gerry Hotel Room Waiter (uncredited)
- Otto Reichow German Policeman (uncredited)
- Robert Adair Col. Bliven (uncredited)
- Lester Sharpe Waiter (uncredited)
- Carl Jaffe Jail Officer (uncredited)
- Robert Nichols Motor Pool Mechanic (uncredited)
- Lionel Murton First Sergeant at Bachelor Officers Quarters (uncredited)
Show all 55 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Mavis Villiers Dependents' Hotel Reception Clerk (uncredited)
- Bill McLean Expectant GI (uncredited)
- William Yetter Sr. German Policeman (uncredited)
- Mark Baker Barracks Private (uncredited)
- Mike Mahoney Boatswains Mate First Class (uncredited)
- Joe Haworth Shore Patrolman (uncredited)
- Lily Kann Innkeeper's Wife (uncredited)
- William Murphy Staff Sergeant at Troopship (uncredited)
- Robert Patten Interne (uncredited)
- Paul Hardtmuth German Mayor (uncredited)
- Chris Adcock Mail Clerk (uncredited)
- Randy Stuart Lt. Eloise Billings
- John Whitney Bill Trumble (uncredited)
- Marion Marshall Lt. Kitty Lawrence
- Patricia Cutts Girl in Doorway (uncredited)
- Barbara Perry Tall WAC (uncredited)
- William Pullen Sam (uncredited)
- Estelle Brody WAC Announcer Officer (uncredited)
- Bill Neff Capt. Jack Ramsey
- Harold Sanderson Mail Clerk (uncredited)
- Patricia Marmont Female Reception Officer (uncredited)
- William Self Sergeant (uncredited)
- Gil Herman Naval Officer (uncredited)
- Alfred Linder Bartender (uncredited)
- Gene Garrick Tony Jowitt (uncredited)
- Coral Drouyn Precocious Child (uncredited)
- Werner Tronjeck Traffic Policeman (uncredited)
- Kay Young Maj. Prendergast (uncredited)
- Ben Pollock Officer (uncredited)
- Richard Neilson Motor Pool Sergeant (uncredited)
- Ruben Wendorf Innkeeper's Assistant (uncredited)
- Buzz Barbee Soldier (uncredited)
- H.P. Crowe Military Police Sergeant at Heidelberg Town Hall (uncredited)
- Robert Kleinert Taxi Driver (uncredited)
- John Zilly Shore Patrolman (uncredited)
More from Howard Hawks
More films directed by Howard Hawks, best-rated first: Rio Bravo, To Have and Have Not, Bringing Up Baby and The Big Sleep.
I Was a Male War Bride Plot Summary
What happens in I Was a Male War Bride from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Heidelberg, during the tense years after World War II when the city sits under Allied occupation, Captain Henri Rochard, Cary Grant, is given a delicate mission: identify and recruit a gifted lens maker named Schindler. He is paired with American Lieutenant Catherine Gates, Ann Sheridan, as his driver, a setup that immediately stirs friction between two people who have clashed before. The only available transport is a motorcycle, and due to Army rules, Catherine must steer the bike while Henri rides in the sidecar. What should be a straightforward assignment quickly becomes a test of patience as their frequent squabbles spill into the open and the two finally reach their destination: Bad Nauheim.
Full summary
The whole story of I Was a Male War Bride, scene by scene
I Was a Male War Bride Trailers & Videos
The trailer of I Was a Male War Bride.
How Well Do You Know I Was a Male War Bride?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What role does Ann Sheridan's character, Catherine Gates, have while traveling with Captain Henri Rochard?
Cars in I Was a Male War Bride
11 cars on screen, including the BMW R 75 and the 1930 Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart 260 W11.
-
BMW R 75 Main role -
1930 Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart 260 W11 Important role -
1942 Dodge WC 51 Minor role -
1942 Ford GPW Minor role
I Was a Male War Bride Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “You Can't Sleep Here” and “Ero uno sposo di guerra”.
- Also known as
-
- You Can't Sleep Here
- Ero uno sposo di guerra
- A Noiva Era Ele
- La novia era él
- Allez coucher ailleurs !
- Ich war eine männliche Kriegsbraut
- 战地新娘
- Byl jsem válečnou nevěstou
- 나는 전쟁 신부
- Солдат в юбке
- 僕は戦争花嫁
- La núvia era ell
+1 more Show fewer
- Jag var en manlig krigsbrud
Seen I Was a Male War Bride?
Movies Like I Was a Male War Bride
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The War Bride, The Well Groomed Bride and A Soldier’s Plaything.
-
The War Bride 2001 -
The Well Groomed Bride 1946 -
A Soldier’s Plaything 1930 -
In the Meantime, Darling 1944 -
Babette Goes to War 1959 -
Janie Gets Married 1946 -
Wake Me When the War Is Over 1969 -
The Sailor Takes a Wife 1945 -
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? 1966 -
I Was a Mail Order Bride 1982 -
Once Upon a Honeymoon 1942 -
The Admiral Was a Lady 1950
I Was a Male War Bride FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of I Was a Male War Bride, each answered in a sentence.
How long is I Was a Male War Bride?
I Was a Male War Bride runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was I Was a Male War Bride released?
I Was a Male War Bride was released on August 17, 1949.
Who directed I Was a Male War Bride?
I Was a Male War Bride was directed by Howard Hawks.
More films by Howard Hawks Who is in the cast of I Was a Male War Bride?
I Was a Male War Bride stars John Serret as French Notary (uncredited), André Charlot as French Minister (uncredited) and Stanley Maxted as U.S. Consul in Heidelberg (uncredited), among 55 credited actors.
Does I Was a Male War Bride have a post-credit scene?
No. I Was a Male War Bride has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
