This short, stout comic is an acquired taste, but certainly not one that the actual military would have passing through the commissary. You couldn't say that for Ann Miller who has stood the test of time and is still beloved by fans of musical theater. This came before she was a household name as a featured actress and dancer in the bigger, more colorful MGM musicals, but as the queen of Columbia's B unit (not getting the prestigious big budget films that Jean Arthur and Rita Hayworth were), she was perfect for the war years.
Miller's perky personality, pleasant singing voice and deliciously leggy gams made her popular enough to headline medium budgeted B pictures for a good five years. This one features her as a stage star who is in love with soldier Larry Parks who has broken off with her through a "Dear Jane" letter, but reunited with him when the military show he puts together is produced right near her touring more professionally produced show. For some reason, he thinks she's only in it for the publicity, not realizing the deepness of her feelings.
Perhaps during the 1940's, movie and radio audiences appreciated Besser's wacky personality, but it doesn't stand up 70+ years later. His character is too frantic, fussy and frenetic to believe as an Army recruit, and even with the argument that Lou Costello also played an Army recruit (and Navy and Air Force), it is very apparent that he is a poor Costello knock-off. Parks, who would briefly find "A" stardom playing Al Jolson, is a suave leading man.
Hollywood history buffs will note that as Miller's leading man, he was in real life the husband of Miller's future "On the Town" co-star Betty Garrett who was actually involved in a similar comic revue ("Laughing Room Only") at the same time this was released. Mller's musical theater performer is written to have no temperament, unlike her navy hating performer in "Hit the Deck", and far from the scheming Ziegfeld star in "Easter Parade" and man hungry second lead in "Kiss Me Kate".
This is the type of adequate wartime musical of which there were many, not any better or worse, and filled with a variety of specialties that are hit or miss. One comic singing group seems to be ripping off the Ritz Brothers (another group whose material today is hit or miss with modern audiences), but a ventriloquist act does come off much better. This is a rare opportunity so see a very young Jack Gilford as a soldier giving a comic account of a night at the movies, and he is delightful.
The pretense of this show is entertaining soldiers guarding the coast, audiences of various sizes, some huge, and some less than 10. But for the officer putting the show together, he is a tougher producer than George Abbott, David Merrick and Cameron McIntosh combined, giving Parks only three weeks to put on a show with a $200 budget and even build a theater to have it performed in. The musical numbers aren't huge, and the songs certainly not memorable, but as a time-filler and look down memory lane at America's most propaganda filled war, it is quite a pleasant viewing experience.
Miller's perky personality, pleasant singing voice and deliciously leggy gams made her popular enough to headline medium budgeted B pictures for a good five years. This one features her as a stage star who is in love with soldier Larry Parks who has broken off with her through a "Dear Jane" letter, but reunited with him when the military show he puts together is produced right near her touring more professionally produced show. For some reason, he thinks she's only in it for the publicity, not realizing the deepness of her feelings.
Perhaps during the 1940's, movie and radio audiences appreciated Besser's wacky personality, but it doesn't stand up 70+ years later. His character is too frantic, fussy and frenetic to believe as an Army recruit, and even with the argument that Lou Costello also played an Army recruit (and Navy and Air Force), it is very apparent that he is a poor Costello knock-off. Parks, who would briefly find "A" stardom playing Al Jolson, is a suave leading man.
Hollywood history buffs will note that as Miller's leading man, he was in real life the husband of Miller's future "On the Town" co-star Betty Garrett who was actually involved in a similar comic revue ("Laughing Room Only") at the same time this was released. Mller's musical theater performer is written to have no temperament, unlike her navy hating performer in "Hit the Deck", and far from the scheming Ziegfeld star in "Easter Parade" and man hungry second lead in "Kiss Me Kate".
This is the type of adequate wartime musical of which there were many, not any better or worse, and filled with a variety of specialties that are hit or miss. One comic singing group seems to be ripping off the Ritz Brothers (another group whose material today is hit or miss with modern audiences), but a ventriloquist act does come off much better. This is a rare opportunity so see a very young Jack Gilford as a soldier giving a comic account of a night at the movies, and he is delightful.
The pretense of this show is entertaining soldiers guarding the coast, audiences of various sizes, some huge, and some less than 10. But for the officer putting the show together, he is a tougher producer than George Abbott, David Merrick and Cameron McIntosh combined, giving Parks only three weeks to put on a show with a $200 budget and even build a theater to have it performed in. The musical numbers aren't huge, and the songs certainly not memorable, but as a time-filler and look down memory lane at America's most propaganda filled war, it is quite a pleasant viewing experience.
