This extremely minor flagwaver from the war years is hardly an important or well-made movie but it certainly is a lot of fun, worth savouring for the enthusiasm of its cast and some very memorable musical numbers. For a start we have Harry James and his big band with the perky harmonising Andrews Sisters as an added treat amongst some lesser names and not actually terribly amusing comedians of the period. Plus there's an early role for Donald O'Connor where he's not given much to do and an annoying lead role for big lunk Dick Foran and his big tenor.
The story such as it was could be written on the head of a pin near enough as James is drafted and his whole band joins up as well. I must confess that I thought the bandleader looked far too old to be a soldier, but on checking I discovered that he was actually only 26 when this film was made -- and even more amazingly he was already a well-known name at this relatively precocious age. Most of the movie was comprised of army camp shows before the whole caboodle were shipped overseas, but what smiley fun it all was. I have always had a soft spot for the Andrews Sisters who are so of their period, and must now try to find some of the other minor musicals that they made which also featured their cheery warbling.
1 comment:
As with many such films, the story is irrelevant - just as well as the standard of
acting is sub-zero usually - as the musical items are the only reason for the film
to have been made. Four things struck me - the lasting delight of the music - well, most of it - the way that bebop changed the definition of virtuosity - Harry
James was the tope trumpeter of his day but he pales before such players as
Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown et el - the dated nature of the humour almost to the
point of embarrassment and, finally, the overly gung-ho patriotic ending.
A pleasant interlude.
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