Virginia Mayo, Ronald Reagan, Gene Nelson, and Don Defore star in this remake of the Henry Fonda and Olivia de Havilland comedy, The Male Animal. (Quite frankly, I was disappointed in the original. To me, it just wasn't that funny, and, for that matter, not that interesting either.) This musical remake changes the plot from controversial content in schools to an undesirable student, that of a burlesque gal, "Hot Garters Gertie" showgirl Virginia Mayo. You see, she's working her way through college. But she also gets the attention of oglers who want to see her backstage and take her out, etc. Ronald Reagan is a professor who's very jealous of Don Defore, who's constantly coming on to his wife, Phyllis Thaxter. And, Virginia knew Ronnie before, because he taught her in high school. Gene Nelson is a student who takes to Virginia, but of course. This film may not an essential to films, or even in musicals, but it is good old-fashioned fun watching Ronnie get drunk and take drastic measures to stop Don in his tracks, watching Virginia giving the film the extra zip "The Male Animal" lacked and getting into scrapes and getting the school out of them, and seeing Gene Nelson in a very eye-popping and enjoyable number, with singing, dancing and working out on the poles and the trampoline in a white tank-top, showing off his muscles. I would go so far to say it may just be his best number in films, as you see just how fit and versatile he really was. If you want good fun with a good cast, which also includes Patrice Wymore, Errol Flynn's widow, then sit back and enjoy!
