AllMovie

Although definitely a bit of war-time propaganda, Mr. Winkle Goes to War is an entertaining piece of whimsy with dramatic overtones. The title leads one to expect an out-and-out comedy, and while Winkle is definitely amusing and has some laugh-out-loud moments, it's more serious than the title would indicate. The trio of screenwriters have done a very good job in creating a totally sympathetic lead character and in placing him in situations that, while predictable, yield satisfying results. They are perhaps a bit less successful in keeping some of the more serious moments from coming off as a trifle mawkish, but this doesn't seriously damage the film. The authors are especially fortunate in having the marvelous Edward G. Robinson on hand to breathe life into their lovable little milquetoast of a leading character. The actor, well known for his tough guy/hardboiled gangster roles, is equally at home in "softer" characters, and he makes Winkle the character (and, for that matter, Winkle the movie) into a lovely, engaging affair. Alfred E. Green directs with efficiency, if not an excessive amount of flair, and the supporting cast is all fine.