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How others will see it. All Sturges films have their devotees. The Miracle of Morgan's Creek is not as ambitious as Sullivan's Travels, but it was his biggest box office hit. As befits a slapstic comedy, the situations are absurd, and sometimes even a little contrived. This won't bother most viewers, who should especially enjoy the cranky father (Demarest), and the stammering Eddie Bracken, reminiscent of a young Don Knotts.
How I felt about it. This is the point where I typically ramble on about all the things in the film that make me suspicious of its quality. But, let's mention its good points first. The pace is fairly quick, the dialogue is generally entertaining, and the casting is exemplary. Bracken, as the lovestruck sap, is particularly charming. Overall, it is a good movie that is well worth seeing.
With that off my chest, I can complain with a clear conscience. I least liked one of the film's running gags, Demarest's intended physical violence toward his vexing (and clinging) 14 year old daughter. Twice, he tries to forcefully kick her behind, but misses, and falls on his own rear end. Another time, he throws her onto the porch steps. Was this any more funny in 1944 than it is today? I doubt it.
I also had trouble believing that perpetual hothead Demarest would work so hard to get Bracken out of jail, and (especially) help him break into a bank, so that he could look for someone who might not even be in the country, without a name or photo to go by. Bracken may have the motive to do detective work, but he's incompetent by nature. And what good will finding the true father/husband actually accomplish? Although he is certain to emerge once the news of the delivery is promoted, an issue conveniently ignored by the story.
"The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" is the birth of sextuplets. This would indeed bring tremendous publicity to the state and town, and might even make it prudent for the cuckold, imprisoned boyfriend to be transformed into a felony-free husband. But even the efforts of a frantic governor cannot prevent the truth from coming out. A cub reporter could unravel the humiliating actions of the lead characters.