The Male Animal (1942)

As autumnal hues blanket Midwestern University, a palpable buzz of excitement heralds the return of Homecoming weekend. The centerpiece of the festivities is the nail-biting game between Midwestern and Michigan, a thrilling serenade to the return of All-American Joe Ferguson, an alumnus who bleeds football. Six years have passed since his last visit, a return that ruffles the calm existence of mild-mannered English Professor Tommy Turner who shares a romantic past with Joe and his wife, Ellen Turner née Stanley. Although Ellen’s fiery spirit mirrors more of Joe than Tommy, he is comforted by the knowledge of her love for him. The weekend, however, tosses Tommy a curveball. An unexpected promotion from associate to full professor looms on his horizon, a hope that is soon overshadowed by the unfolding drama surrounding his idealistic student, Michael Barnes. Michael, an editor of the campus literary magazine, pens a fiery editorial condemning the fascist-tinged policies of the Ed Keller-led Board of Trustees. The Board's recent crusade against supposed communists within the faculty has ruffled feathers and drawn Michael’s ire. The editorial praises Tommy’s principled stance, as he plans to share a letter from the anarchist Bartolomeo Vanzetti with his English Composition class. This letter, a testament to good writing by non-professional writers, stands alongside a document from Abraham Lincoln in Tommy’s lesson plan. The brewing storm catches the attention of Frederick Damon, the reserved Dean of the English Department. He finds himself torn between maintaining his neutrality and facing the wrath of the powerful Keller over the controversial editorial and Tommy’s bold academic intentions. Tommy's decision to proceed with the reading could risk his newfound position and peaceful existence at Midwestern. Simultaneously, Tommy confronts his growing insecurities about Ellen's connection to Joe, fearing she might be happier with her athletic ex-boyfriend. As the weekend unfurls, the stakes rise not only for Tommy and his marriage but also for Ellen's younger sister Patricia Stanley. She finds herself in a romantic tug-of-war between Michael, the ideological editor, and the team's star fullback, the simple-hearted Wally Myers. The echoing cheers of the homecoming crowd seem to drown in the tempest of personal dilemmas and political turmoil, leaving everyone to wonder what the dawn will bring for the inhabitants of Midwestern University.

The Male Animal is a comedy movie featuring Henry Fonda and directed by Elliott Nugent.

The Male Animal is currently streaming on DIRECTV.