Follow the Boys (1944)

During World War II, all the studios put out "all-star" vehicles which featured virtually every star on the lot--often playing themselves--in musical numbers and comedy skits, and were ... See full summary »

Director:

A. Edward Sutherland

Writers:

Lou Breslow (original screenplay), Gertrude Purcell (original screenplay),

Stars:

George Raft, Vera Zorina, Jeanette MacDonald

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Raft	...	Tony West
Vera Zorina	...	Gloria Vance
Jeanette MacDonald	...	Jeanette MacDonald
Orson Welles' Mercury Wonder Show	...	Mercury Wonder Show
Marlene Dietrich	...	Marlene Dietrich
Dinah Shore	...	Dinah Shore
Donald O'Connor	...	Donald O'Connor
Peggy Ryan	...	Peggy Ryan
W.C. Fields	...	W. C. Fields
The Andrews Sisters	...	Andrews Sisters
Artur Rubinstein	...	Rubinstein
Carmen Amaya and Her Company	...	Performers
Sophie Tucker	...	Sophie Tucker
Delta Rhythm Boys	...	Delta Rhythm Boys
Leonard Gautier's Bricklayers	...	The Bricklayers

Storyline

During World War II, all the studios put out "all-star" vehicles which featured virtually every star on the lot--often playing themselves--in musical numbers and comedy skits, and were meant as morale-boosters to both the troops overseas and the civilians at home. This was Universal Pictures' effort. It features everyone from Donald O'Connor to the Andrews Sisters to Orson Welles to W.C. Fields to George Raft to Marlene Dietrich, and dozens of other Universal players.

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Plot Keywords:

parade | magic | germany | troop ship | actress | 

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Taglines:

Hollywood's Biggest Stars Come Together For A Great Cause!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Three Cheers for the Boys

Filming Locations:

Naval Training Center, San Diego, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min 110 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the "Beyond the Blue Horizon" number (previously used in Monte Carlo) the lyric "rising sun" were chanced to "shining sun", to avoid any associations to the Japanese flag.

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Quotes

Gloria Vance: You have no inhibitions, have you?
Tony West: I can't afford them.

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Connections

Featured in The Story of Film: An Odyssey: Episode #1.5 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Some of These Days"
(1910) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Shelton Brooks
Sung by Sophie Tucker
(Missing from the 110-minute print)

User Reviews

Entertaining The Troops

Follow The Boys was one of several "entertaining the troops" films made during World War II. The plots often revolved around personal conflict for the characters that is war related. The films usually pat show business on the back for what it's doing for the troops. Finally, there are lots of speciality numbers by popular performers of the day. Follow The Boys stays true to the formula, but with some interesting touches. First, it provides some background on the organization necessary to put entertainment units together. Second, some footage was shot at actual performances before audiences of service men and women.

George Raft plays the main character, a dancer turned show organizaer. His dancing makes us realize he is better at organizing shows. As is often the case in these films, the high spots are the speciality numbers, particularly Loius Jordan, Dinah Shore, and amazingly enough, Arthur Rubenstein here. Orson Welles does a fascinating magic act. Jeanette McDonald does a number in a hospital ward singing to injured soldiers. It's contrived, yet moving. Follow The Boys is an interesting, if uneven, WWII artifact.