George Washington Slept Here is a comedy about a New York couple who leave the city behind to move into a dilapidated old farmhouse in Pennsylvania. Believing the house has historic value because George Washington once stayed there, they soon discover that it is full of costly repairs, eccentric neighbors, and endless inconveniences. The film humorously portrays the chaos of country living and the persistence required to turn a run-down property into a home.
Genre: Comedy
Director: William Keighley
William Keighley (1889–1984) was an American stage actor and film director who worked at Warner Bros. during the 1930s and 1940s. Known for his versatility, he directed crime dramas, comedies, and action films, including G Men (1935) and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938, co-directed with Michael Curtiz). Keighley had a reputation for being a capable director who handled both lighthearted and serious material with equal skill.
Star cast
- Jack Benny as Bill Fuller
- Ann Sheridan as Connie Fuller
- Charles Coburn as Uncle Stanley J. Menninger
- Percy Kilbride as Mr. Kimber
- Hattie McDaniel as Hester
- William Tracy as Raymond
The film was warmly received by audiences looking for lighthearted entertainment during World War II. Jack Benny, already a beloved radio star, was praised for bringing his dry humor and timing to the role, while Ann Sheridan’s charm added balance to the comedy. Critics found it a pleasant, if not groundbreaking, comedy that played well to fans of Benny’s established comedic style.
Fun Facts
- The film was adapted from the hit 1940 Broadway play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, which had originally starred Ernest Truex.
- Jack Benny took on the lead role as part of his effort to expand his career beyond radio into Hollywood features.
- The film allowed Percy Kilbride to showcase his comic style as a country character, which would later become his signature in the Ma and Pa Kettle series.
- Although George Washington never actually slept in the house depicted, the title plays on a common American legend about old inns and homes boasting of Washington’s presence.
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