‘The Big Hangover’ from 1950: A Post-WWII Story

Mary Belney (Elizabeth Taylor) and David Maldon (Van Johnson), in "The Big Hangover." Warner Bros.

NR | 1 h 22 mins | Romance, Comedy | 1950

Perhaps no other event in world history has been the basis of as many films as World War II. Since the war happened during Hollywood’s Golden Era, hundreds of movies were made while the war lasted. In the second half of the 1940s and the early 1950s, many films were made about the aftermath, which returning veterans experienced.

“The Big Hangover” from 1950 is just such a film. The title sounds like a slapstick comedy. There certainly are funny moments in this movie, but I wouldn’t consider it a true comedy. It’s a romance, but its main focus is a young World War II veteran who struggles to function in society because of his lingering trauma from a near-death experience. It’s also a serious look at the duty of the legal profession and the importance of fighting for justice.

Post-War Trauma

David Maldon (Van Johnson) is graduating from law school at the top of his class. As is customary, a prestigious law firm hires him since he is the highest-ranking graduate. Maldon has just one problem. Since he fought in World War II, he was able to get his law degree through the GI Bill.

A side effect of his service is that he still is haunted by a trauma-induced mental disorder. If he has even a sip of alcohol, he becomes extremely intoxicated. The effects of this psychosomatic intoxication only last a few minutes, but it’s very embarrassing and frustrating for him.

David Maldon (Van Johnson) and Mary Belney (Elizabeth Taylor), in "The Big Hangover." Warner Bros.

The reason his post-traumatic stress disorder involves alcohol is that he almost drowned in a monastery cellar where barrels of brandy were kept; the cellar was bombed, and he was up to his chin in brandy for 14 hours.

Mary Belney (Elizabeth Taylor), daughter of the firm’s senior law partner, John Belney (Percy Waram), takes an interest in Maldon’s problem because she has studied psychoanalysis. She is determined to cure him of his psychological drunkenness so that he can drink or not drink as he wishes without fear or danger. It doesn’t prove to be as easy as she had thought, but in the process of trying to cure him, they grow very fond of each other.

Maldon gets involved with a lawsuit against the firm by city attorney Carl Bellcap (Leon Ames). The young lawyer agrees that Bellcap’s clients, the Chinese Dr. Lee (Philip Ahn) and his wife, have been unjustly mistreated by being evicted from their apartment for no cause except prejudice. He doesn’t realize that another member of his firm (Gene Lockhart) ordered the eviction. Maldon is torn between his conscience and his ambition.

Law With a Purpose

The legal profession is equal to the medical profession in terms of prestige and wealth. It takes a lot of time and money to acquire the needed education, of course, but once you make it, you’re guaranteed a life of financial ease, at least according to the media.

“The Big Hangover” is about a young man who decides to become a lawyer for a very different reason than hopes of financial gain. During the time Mary Belney tries to help him overcome his “liquor recoil,” he practices his commencement speech on her. In the speech, he explains why he decided to study law.

Another member of Maldon’s bomber crew during the war, who became his best friend, died in his arms. Since the friend had planned to become a lawyer, Maldon follows his father’s wise words about the importance of the legal profession for preserving American freedom and he decides to go in his friend’s place. Maldon grows to love legal studies and excels in them in memory of his deceased friend.

Dr. Lee (Philip Ahn, L) and David Maldon (Van Johnson), in "The Big Hangover." Warner Bros.

Belney deeply admires Maldon when he hears his noble reasons for wanting to practice the law. However, such ideals prove difficult in practice for Maldon, Mary Belney, and every member of the law firm when the case of the Lees arises.

Maldon thinks that all the veteran lawyers, including underpaid city attorney Bellcap, are hypocrites for claiming to pursue justice while their main concern is their own bank account. However, a sobering talk from Bellcap about the caliber of lawyers who pursue public service makes Maldon realize that he will be the hypocrite if he doesn’t do what he knows to be right.

Complex Characters

If someone ever says to you that no one cared about fair treatment for minorities in the mid-20th century, mention “The Big Hangover.” This movie shows that Americans have understood the importance of equal rights for everyone for generations. There never has been, and never will be, a time when every American lives up to our country’s ideals, as many prejudiced characters in this story illustrate. However, it’s wrong to think that people didn’t care about Chinese Americans or other ethnicities in the 1950s.

I was shocked that this movie is only 82 minutes. I’ve watched it twice, and it’s hard to believe it’s that short. The characters are multifaceted, and there are many different themes and subplots. The complexity of the story and the engaging pacing make the film so entertaining that no more time is needed.

Lobby card for "The Big Hangover." Warner Bros.

‘The Big Hangover’ Director: Norman Krasna Stars: Van Johnson, Elizabeth Taylor, Percy Waram Not Rated Running Time: 1 hour, 22 minutes Release Date: May 26, 1950 Rating: 4 out of 5

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