Swingtime Johnny (1943)

The Andrews Sisters take a hiatus from show business to aid the war effort. They take on jobs at a pipe-organ plant now making artillery shells. But they still find time for plenty of ... See full summary »

Director:

Edward F. Cline

Writers:

Warren Wilson (story), Clyde Bruckman (screenplay)

Stars:

Patty Andrews, Maxene Andrews, Laverne Andrews

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patty Andrews	...	Patty Andrews
Maxene Andrews	...	Maxene Andrews
Laverne Andrews	...	Laverne Andrews
Harriet Nelson	...	Linda (as Harriet Hilliard)
Peter Cookson	...	Jonathan
Tim Ryan	...	Sparks
Matt Willis	...	Monk
William 'Bill' Phillips	...	Steve
Tom Dugan	...	Grugg
Ray Walker	...	Mike
Marion Martin	...	Flashy Blonde
John Hamilton	...	Caldwell
John Sheehan	...	Raffle Wheel Barker
Syd Saylor	...	Sea Food Barker
Jack Rice	...	Bill

Storyline

The Andrews Sisters take a hiatus from show business to aid the war effort. They take on jobs at a pipe-organ plant now making artillery shells. But they still find time for plenty of singing and dancing.

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Plot Keywords:

dancing | singing | artillery shell | california | pop music | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 1944 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

61 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Sweet and Low
Written by Everett Carter & Milton Rosen
Performed by Harriet Nelson

User Reviews

Swingtime Mess

Are you a fan of the Andrews Sisters? Because that would be the only excuse to watch "Swingtime Johnny", and from a studio that made some pretty good musicals in the 30's and 40's. This one is a misfire, with an incoherent storyline about a group of gals (the Andrews' plus Harriet Hilliard) and guys (a swing band) who work in a munitions factory but mostly concentrate on music. The Andrews Sisters are, of course, very energetic and eager to please (like the Ritz Bros., you watch the one in the middle). The rest of the cast probably signed on because they needed the work.

The musical numbers are passable but the comedy is very lame and seems forced and suffers from bad timing. The whole production needed a better director to pull the story together and to afford better continuity, but maybe fans of the Sisters won't mind - they can just wait for the songs.

Memo to website users; please get serious. The rating for this picture is inflated. Rate movies like 'Shrek 3', and leave the grunt work to us bottom feeders.