Good concept, poorly executed.

Excellent but underrated film

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Blistering performances.

I have generally scored Mary Pickford's films well. However, the score of 6, while about average, is definitely below average for her. Usually you get better than what you'll see in "Johanna Enlists"--a film with a relatively thin plot and lots and lots of patriotic nonsense.The film begins on a rural farm. Pickford plays a girlish sort--much like she did in most of her films. However, this character is becoming a young woman (although she was actually 23 at the time Pickford made this film) and her thoughts are on love and a boyfriend. But, being in the middle of no where, her options are limited. In a cute scene, she asks God for help---and only seconds later, a US Army outfit strolls along and decides to pitch camp right across from the farm! Much of the rest of the film is devoted to determining who Johanna will get--the dashing officer (who she inexplicably disliked) or a young enlisted man. There is a bit of controversy involving two guys fighting over her, but frankly it was of little consequence. Then, at the end some blatantly patriotic stuff is tossed in to remind us that the US is involved in the war and that Pickford hates the dreaded Hun.Basically this is an inconsequential film with a lot of hubbub about the war and patriotism stuck on, rather clumsily at the end. However, even with its shortcomings, it's always a delight to watch Pickford so I would still recommend it to her fans. But, if you aren't, she did make much better films you should see first like "My Best Girl", "Suds" or "Daddy Long Legs" (among others).

Mary Pickford was made an Honorary Colonel to the 143rd Field Artillery, a role she took seriously. She made frequent visits to Camp Kearney near San Diego, where they were stationed. She would review the troops, blew a special silver whistle to start the camp football games, and made sure the boys had plenty of tobacco. She presented each one with a gold locket containing her picture, which were worn by the men in action in France. When the government asked her to make a propaganda picture, Mary asked Frances Marion to write the scenario for Johanna Enlists, and the soldiers from the 143rd would appear throughout the film, going about their duties. Mary and Colonel Ralph J. Faneuf, commander of the 143rd, appear together in the last shot of the film, giving a salute to the camera. This movie was made to be indirect propaganda , so subtle that not until the end, does the audience realize its intent. Near the end of the story, the soldiers receive their orders to go overseas, and Johanna ( Mary Pickford ) rallies the men, not to come back until they have won the war. Peppered with plenty of comedy, Mary plays freckled faced Johanna who lives with her parents and siblings on a farm. Feeling homely and lonely , one day Johanna prays for a beau , and miraculously a regiment of soldiers come marching down the road and camp on the family farm. The gawky farm girl sets out to beautify herself and soon two admiring soldiers fight for her attention. Wesley Barry is comical as Johanna's bratty brother ,Monte Blue and Douglas MacLean play the admiring soldiers along with a brief appearance of Wallace Beery as Colonel Fanner. Although not a classic Pickford film it is interesting , amusing and worth a look for silent film fans.

Freckle-faced country girl Mary Pickford (as Johanna Ransallar) is going through that "coming of age" stage; trouble is, on her shabby farm, there are no men to get "boy crazy" over. The married handyman is sent off at the butt of father Fred Huntley (as Paw Ransallar)'s rifle; leaving Ms. Pickford no one to pine for. Desperate, Pickford asks the Lord, "…send me a beau!" Then, an entire regimen of young men arrive; they are Great War soldiers, who encamp by the Ransallar farm. The ailing "beautifulest", Emory Johnson (as Frank Le Roy), is sent to recuperate in Pickford's bed. When Pickford prays, the Lord doesn't mess around, obviously. With so many men, Pickford is naturally attracted to others, including Monte Blue and Douglas MacLean. Who will Pickford choose? "Johanna Enlists" is a near-miss Pickford classic; the star is as delightful as ever, suffering through her "growing pains". William Desmond Taylor, Charles Rosher, and Wilfred Buckland create some wonderful images. Precocious freckle-faced little brother Wesley Barry (as Jake Ransallar) is excellent throughout. Wallace Beery (as Colonel Roberts) appears briefly. The adaptation never really engages, however, after the regimen arrives. The trial is not very captivating; and, there is no real romantic relationship shown between Pickford and any of the men. The "alternate ending" is better; unfortunately, the left intact "Colonel Mary Pickford…" scene punctuates the film absurdly. ******* Johanna Enlists (9/15/18) William Desmond Taylor ~ Mary Pickford, Wesley Barry, Emory Johnson

Minor Pickford film but still a treat as Mary plays Joahanna, a country girl who prays for a beau only to find an entire regiment of horse soldiers camping out in a field. They're en route to Europe but have to lay up because a young lieutenant is ill.Well little freckle-faced Johanna attracts the attention of the lieutenant (Emory Johnson), the company adjutant (Douglas MacLean), and a sad-sack private (Monte Blue). The guys jockey for position while Johanna takes a crash course (via magazines) on beauty (taking a milk bath in a wooden tub) and grace (dancing around in sheets a la Ruth St. Denis.Eventually the private strikes the lieutenant and there is a court martial just before the regiment pulls out. But the officers seem more interested in which guy Johanna will choose (especially after the charges are dropped).Lots of nice little touches and bits of comedy. Pickford is of course wonderful and adds a few surprises like the silhouette of her stripping and a scene of her in the bath. The guys are all solid. Wallace Beery has a small part as an officer, and that Wesley Barry as the freckly little brother.The film was directed by William Desmond Taylor (the famous murder victim) and based on a story called "The Mobilization of Johanna" by Rupert Hughes. Frances Marion did the screenplay.The organ music is uncredited but sounded familiar. My DVD has an alternative ending!