IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022409/Another Langdon film, another film panned by the Capra bootlickers for Langdon being typical Langdon instead of Langdon with Capra's fantastic eye for art (note I intentionally word it that way to emphasize that Harry's persona is independent of Capra's influence).
Ben Lyon had a fantastic career. He worked with Jean Harlow. He was married to Bebe Daniels (together they moved to London in part to escape a psychotic stalker) for 40 years. He helped discover Marilyn Monroe. And in A SOLDIER'S PLAYTHING he plays the straight comic to Harry Langdon's funny man with a cast that includes Richard Cramer, Noah Beery, and June Gittelson (Yes, Flora Belle). Sounds great, right?
Guess again.
A SOLDIER'S PLAYTHING was filmed too late. When sound came around, musicals were all the rage. Production was slow, and by the time this film was released musicals were considered passé in America but not in Europe. Two versions were made, and only the American one is known to survive. This surviving version cuts out all musical bits except for a couple piano songs, one sung by Ben Lyon and one by Harry Langdon.
The premise is simple: Tim (Harry) and Georgie (Ben) are friends. Tim joins the army in World War I. Georgie, thinking he has killed a man in a brawl over a card game, tags along to hide. Shenanigans happen in Europe, with Georgie falling in love. The premise is flawed because World War (1 or 2) occupations were in reality miserable affairs. Occupying forces abused locals and more often than not left mass destruction in their wake.
Harry is in prime form here in his first talkie feature. Unfortunately, he just get small bits of comic professionalism that don't suit his slow style too well. In spite of this, he does a fine job with what he has. Blame the material and poor direction, not Harry.
Ben plays the straight likable protagonist. He gets his own comic bits that he does well with, but he mostly is driving the plot with his acting skills as he has little to work with. He had potential to be something great, but his career never took off. In this film, he's solid start to finish.
The comic scene with Harry and Ben shoveling hay while "You're in the Army Now" is sung makes a nice segue between adventures in this, and each time, if you pay attention, the hay pile gets a little bigger. Mostly this schtick serves to emphasize that Harry is wearing pants about 12 sizes too large for him.
The best moment of the film is in the bar. Harry is great here and dominates this part with his comic timing. He also does a great job throwing a tantrum when he learns the girl he just sang for is deaf and didn't hear him. This plays up to a funny climax in its own right.
The ending is just another great moment for a childish Harry. June Gittelson (a.k.a Hercules) is a good deal lighter and is just there to be Harry's girl that wants Harry to take her on the merry-go-round. I won't spoil the ending, but it's Harry for sure.