Buck Privates Come Home

Set in the immediate postwar era as soldiers return home from Europe. Veterans adjust to civilian work, face economic realities, and pursue routine lives like marriage and home ownership. The era’s norms shape the plot, including social expectations around marriage and the legitimacy of adopting a child.

The story unfolds primarily in postwar New York City, with busy streets around Times Square serving as the backdrop for returning veterans. Key scenes also take place aboard a troop ship returning to the U.S. and at immigration offices in New York. The city’s hustle contrasts with the protagonists’ attempts to settle into peacetime life.

🏠 Homecoming

The movie centers on veterans trying to readjust to civilian life after World War II, balancing nostalgia for the frontline with the realities of peacetime. Humor is used to ease the anxiety of reintegration as the duo seeks steady work and a stable home.

🤝 Friendship & loyalty

Herbie and Slicker’s bond persists despite constant pursuit by authority figures, turning their camaraderie into shared resilience. The arrival of Evey reshapes loyalties and tests their willingness to protect each other.

💍 Family & marriage

The characters confront societal expectations about marriage as a path to stability and adoption. Evey’s presence catalyzes decisions about forming a family, while Sylvia’s relationship adds a romantic complication that drives the plot forward.