Ironically funny movie alert! 12:00 pm EDT Turner Classic Movies -- "The Real Glory" (1939)

[Simeon Salus]

Ironically funny movie alert! 12:00 pm EDT Turner Classic Movies

"The Real Glory" (1939)

An All-American military yarn starring Gary Cooper, set in 1906 Philippines, while the American Army was "bogged down" in a multi-year Muslim insurgency against religious extremist "suiciders" as Congress finally starts turning against the action.

Laugh in the first five minutes as the American Army commander actually says the words "they won't stand up until we stand down."

Chuckle when David Niven demands to be allowed to torture the captive.

Howl when Gary Cooper gets the bright idea of burying terrorists' bodies in pigskin.

Rejoice in the dramatic final battle, as Moros natives are catapulted into the fort on bent bamboo trees, and Gary Cooper rafts the white water in the nick of time to save the fort.

Nice unexpected comic performances by a very young Broderick Crawford.