Is Colonel Effingham's Raid Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Colonel Effingham's Raid is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 72 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Colonel Effingham's Raid Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1946, Colonel Effingham's Raid emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of The story takes place in 1940. Unlike standard genre fare, Colonel Effingham's Raid attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Colonel Effingham's Raid features a noteworthy lineup led by Charles Coburn . Supported by the likes of Joan Bennett and William Eythe , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Colonel Effingham's Raid (1946) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Colonel Effingham's Raid Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Colonel Effingham's Raid is a Comedy, Romance film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Colonel Effingham's Raid Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Colonel Effingham's Raid attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Colonel Effingham's Raid reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Colonel Effingham's Raid?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of Colonel Effingham's Raid
- Charles Coburn – Colonel Will Seaborn Effingham
- Joan Bennett – Ella Sue Dozier
- William Eythe – Albert 'Al' Marbury
- Allyn Joslyn – Earl Hoats
- Elizabeth Patterson – Cousin Emma
Top Highlights
Charles CoburnColonel Will Seaborn Effingham
Joan BennettElla Sue Dozier
William EytheAlbert 'Al' Marbury
Allyn JoslynEarl Hoats
Elizabeth PattersonCousin Emma
Donald MeekDoc Buden
Frank CravenDewey
Thurston HallEd - the Mayor
Cora WitherspoonMrs. Clara Meigs
Emory ParnellJoe Alsobrook
Where to Watch Colonel Effingham's Raid Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
MGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
MGM Plus
FlixFling
IndieFlix
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoFlixFling🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoFlixFlingParents Guide & Age Rating
Colonel Effingham's Raid is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.7/10, and global collection metrics, Colonel Effingham's Raid stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1946 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colonel Effingham's Raid movie hit or flop?
Colonel Effingham's Raid has received mixed reviews with a 5.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Colonel Effingham's Raid worth watching?
Colonel Effingham's Raid is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Romance movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Colonel Effingham's Raid online?
Colonel Effingham's Raid is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, MGM+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, FlixFling, IndieFlix, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Colonel Effingham's Raid
I found this to be quite an entertaining tale of the eponymous, curmudgeonly, old gent (Charles Coburn) who returns from the army to his home town, only to find that standards have gone to pot and that there is no longer any civic pride in the place. The culmination of this cultural disintegration is the proposed demolition of the dilapidated city hall on the town's rallying "Confederate Monument Sq.". Can he galvanise the locals into thwarting the plans of the city planners and of an increasingly indifferent population? Irving Pichel leaves almost all of the heavy lifting here to a competent Coburn, but the rest of the cast (most notably a lacklustre Joan Bennett) and the rather uninspiring script let the film down a bit. Coburn always did have oodles of charisma, and is ideally cast here - but he can't do it all himself, and after a while the story runs too thin and thereby too predicably. That said, it is enjoyable to see a character actor having some fun on screen and it's a short and sweet nostalgia ride that does, certainly, raise the odd smile.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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Browse All Box Office ReportsGlobal Hit-or-Flop VerdictsIs it Worth Watching? GuideIs Colonel Effingham's Raid Worth Watching?Colonel Effingham's Raid Box Office VerdictColonel Effingham's Raid Collection & BudgetWhere to Watch Colonel Effingham's Raid OnlineMore Comedy MoviesMore Romance MoviesCharles Coburn Movies & Hits
