Buck Privates Come Home

Buck Privates Come Home

Year: 1947

Runtime: 77 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles Barton

ActionRomanceComedy

After being discharged, two former soldiers return home, one secretly bringing a French orphan girl he has grown fond of. Their reunion with a hostile former sergeant quickly drags them into the world of a zealous race‑car builder desperate for investors to fund his latest midget‑racer prototype.

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Timeline & Setting – Buck Privates Come Home (1947)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Buck Privates Come Home (1947). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s; Post-World War II

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.

Location

New York City, Times Square

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.

🗽 New York 🏙️ Urban setting

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:26

Main Characters – Buck Privates Come Home (1947)

Meet the key characters of Buck Privates Come Home (1947), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Herbie Brown

A quick-witted, kind-hearted tie vendor who dreams of a simple, steady life after the war. His impulsive schemes and optimism drive much of the film’s comedy, but he also demonstrates loyalty to his friends and a soft spot for the orphaned Evey.

😂 Comedic 🧭 Resourceful 🗽 American

Slicker Smith

Herbie’s sharp-tongued partner who complements his friend with street-smarts and a pragmatic approach. He shares a mischievous streak but shows genuine concern for their wellbeing and for Evey.

😂 Comedic 🧠 Quick-witted 🗽 American

Sgt. Michael Collins

A police sergeant who has tangled history with the boys, chasing them when they slip away. He embodies a stubborn mix of authority and stubbornness, but his eventual role as an instructor signals a path toward reform and stability.

🗽 Officer 🥊 Veteran 🔎 Persistent

Lt. Sylvia Hunter

An immigration liaison tied to the custody of Evey and a romantic interest who embodies both professional duty and personal vulnerability. Her relationships complicate the boys’ plans for a family.

🧭 Government 💕 Love interest 🗽 New Yorker

Bill Gregory

A midget car racer whose Gold Cup dreams motivate the plot and provide a vehicle for the duo to secure a future. His success foreshadows a stable life for Evey and his own future with Sylvia.

🏁 Racer 🛠️ Entrepreneurial 🗽 American

Evey

A six-year-old French orphan found among the veterans’ possessions, whose fate highlights the soldiers’ desire to protect and provide for a family after the war.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:26

Major Themes – Buck Privates Come Home (1947)

Explore the central themes of Buck Privates Come Home (1947), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏠 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.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:26

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Buck Privates Come Home Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Buck Privates Come Home, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Buck Privates Come Home Summary

Buck Privates Come Home Timeline

Track the full timeline of Buck Privates Come Home with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Buck Privates Come Home Timeline

More About Buck Privates Come Home

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Buck Privates Come Home (1947) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Buck Privates Come Home (1947) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Buck Privates Come Home (1947) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow