Fans of Jack Benny's radio show will probably have, at least, heard of this movie. It took on almost mythic qualities in the program as an incredible flop. Of course, Benny's lack of acting talent and the failures (both real and invented) of all of his movies were regular fodder for the gag-writers on his show. I feel it speaks volumes of Benny's character that he found it so easy to laugh at himself.While it wasn't a great financial success, "Horn" is an amusing enough movie. Benny plays an angel who is sent to Earth to herald the end of the world. The title of the film is a reference to the final trumpet which will sound before the end of the world. Benny is thwarted in his efforts by two AWOL angels who live on Earth and don't want to be forced to give up the pleasures of the flesh.While there are many flaws with this movie, it is nevertheless enjoyable and I found myself interested in it from beginning to end.The plot is rather ahead of its time, and strikes a chord with many modern works. When I first read the plot, I thought of the novel "Good Omens" which was, funnily enough, about an angel and a devil who conspire to stop the end of the world, because they have grown fond of life on Earth.Now, I am going to say something which I imagine many people are going to take issue with: the biggest hindrance to the movie is Jack Benny. I feel that the man was a gifted comedian and a talented performer, but he was a really lousy film actor, I think he needed a live audience. He was so wooden that it really detracted from my enjoyment of the film. Someone like Jimmy Stewart would have been a much better choice for the role -- but they probably didn't have the budget, and the film was made as a Jack Benny vehicle after all.The bright spot of the movie are the two renegade angels who play their roles quite well and are very funny. They keep things moving at a brisk pace and manage to remain interesting throughout.I managed to record this movie when it appeared on the late show on Turner Classic Movies. I think its a shame that this, like most Benny films, has not been released on DVD, for while he was not the ideal actor, his movies are almost always worth watching.

Not really as terrible as my rating might seem to indicate. This movie is mildly amusing, has imaginative set design, and there are some visually stunning shots. I'd give it an average rating of 5 or so, except it loses points for a couple important reasons.First...the stars.This was my introduction to Jack Benny and I was not impressed. I didn't find him funny at all - which could be the script's weakness as well, but Benny's physical presence & personality should've made up for poor writing...and didn't. He is one of the least charming, least attractive "leading men" I've ever seen. I understand he had a very popular radio show... well, maybe film just wasn't his medium.Alexis Smith plays Benny's unlikely love interest, and her character isn't really developed - she might as well be made of cardboard. Guy Kibbee is fun, but woefully underused.Second...the story.The script makes a slight attempt to Say Something Serious about the state of the planet. The angels plan to destroy Earth because... we suck. So we'd better start behaving better! I guess. The message is vague and there's no real follow-through. This sort of storyline - the end of the world due to humanity's failure - feels like it *should* be taken seriously. It doesn't fit in such a fluffy film.I absolutely LOATHE the "it was only a dream" plot device. Especially when it's revealed to be a dream at the beginning of the movie! What the heck is the point of *that*? Knowing from the start that everything you're about to see, isn't really happening, kind of sucks the fun out of it. The story becomes pointless and meaningless. It feels like they just couldn't figure out how to resolve the whole Earth-is-doomed thing. There was no way out of it (unless the writers went with a more serious treatment - maybe a twist on "It's A Wonderful Life", yeah, this time it's up to a human to convince an angel that humanity is worth saving...call it "It's A Wonderful World After All"). Anyway, after Benny wakes up, nothing really changes in his life, and nothing has been learned. Utterly pointless.I can see how people might enjoy "The Horn Blows At Midnight" if they're in the mood for something surreal and silly (although it never hits the heights of truly inspired silliness such as you'll find in a Marx Brothers movie, for instance). So, not as stinky as it's reputed to be, but FAR from the lost comedy classic some would like to believe.

Jack Benny. (Athanael) was a great star in the Radio Days and whenever he made a film in the 40's it usually wound up being a Big BOMB. Well, in this film, I think Benny did a great job of performing as an angel who played a wicked Horn. His girl friend angel, Alexis Smith,(Elizabeth), adored Athanael despite his ability to be rather dumb about the things of this world and needed her guidance in making decisions. There are many classic veteran actors in this film which all give a great supporting role. Alexis Smith was very beautiful in this picture and at the height of her career and gave an outstanding performance along with one of the great Comedians who entertained people during the horrible War Years and gave them something to Laugh at and enjoy. If you like a great classic picture, this is a very good film to sit back and go back in TIME.

Years ago, when Jack Benny wanted to make fun of his movie career, this was usually the film he mentioned. While it really isn't a bad little film, it was probably among Benny's worst starring films (a few early films he made shouldn't count as he was more of a supporting player). That's because the plot is REALLY silly,...such that some of the more sophisticated and high-brow viewers will no doubt become bored to tears.Here's the dopey lot in a nutshell: Jack is a clumsy but well-meaning angel. He is sent to earth to blow the horn that will signal the end of the world. However, he is met by a couple of fallen angels who do everything they can to prevent this--they LOVE Earth just the way it is thank you and eternal damnation, somehow, doesn't interest them. Well, they succeed in distracting him, so his girl, Alexis Smith, is sent to give him a hand. Ho hum.Well, despite an odd and silly plot, the film is fun, has a lot of energy and has a few laughs. Not exactly the greatest endorsement, but that's just the way I see it.