Rationing (1944)

In the rustic town of Tuttleton, nestled amidst the tumult of wartime, Ben Barton, a respected grocery store owner and a veteran of the First World War, grapples with the challenges of rationing. He's no stranger to the concept, but the townsfolk's attempts to dodge the system and demand goods beyond their ration stamps test his patience, especially when it comes to securing the approved inventory that aligns with the stamps he's collected. At the heart of Ben's frustrations stands Iris Tuttle, the town's stern postmistress and head of the rationing board. Responsible for ensuring that Ben's inventory complies with the rationing regulations, her presence serves as a constant thorn in his side. Their relationship, however, is far more complex — they were once engaged before the Great War, but misunderstandings led them down different paths. Now, their respective spouses are out of the picture, and their past love story seems to be mirroring in the present. The echoes of their past come alive as Ben's adopted son, Lance Barton, falls head over heels for Iris' daughter, Dorothy Tuttle. The young couple’s urgent desire to tie the knot before Lance is whisked away into military service is intrinsically tied to Ben and Iris' bygone love story. In an effort to help the young couple start their journey, Ben decides to sell half of his grocery store to Cash Riddle, the town's gas station owner. However, chaos ensues as Ben is oblivious to Cash's illicit dealings with black marketers in beef, threatening not only his business but also his already strained relationship with Iris. As the plot unfolds, the complexities and shadows of war cast a dark veil over the quaint town of Tuttleton, stirring up old secrets and new challenges alike.

Rationing is a comedy movie featuring Wallace Beery and directed by Willis Goldbeck.

Rationing is currently streaming on DIRECTV.