A Southern Yankee (1948)

Director: Edward Sedgwick

Writers: Melvin Frank, Buster Keaton, Norman Panama, Harry Tugend

Composers: David Snell, Robert Franklyn

Starring: Red Skelton, Brian Donlevy, Arlene Dahl, George Coulouris, Lloyd Gough, John Ireland, Minor Watson, Charles Dingle, Art Baker, Reed Hadley, Arthur Space, Joyce Compton

More info: IMDb

Tagline: See Red in a Union Suit with Southern Exposure!

Plot: A hapless bellboy in a St. Louis hotel near the end of the Civil War is recruited by the Union secret service to impersonate a notorious Confederate spy.

My rating: 6.5/10

Will I watch it again?  Probably.

This isn't as funny as it could be but when it is, it's hilarious.  One of the best bits is when Skelton is marching down the middle of the front line in between the opposing sides causing a cease fire.  He's carrying a flag but half of him is dressed as a Union soldier holding the Stars and Stripes and the other half (facing the Rebs) he's dressed as a Confederate soldier with the Rebel flag.  He's being cheered on by both sides until the wind changes direction and his ruse is exposed.   The performances by everyone are good.  I just wish there were more great gags and laughs.