For those on the homefront, this was a consoling musical to show how the troops were being entertained and how stars of stage, screen and radio (WHAT'S A RADIO?) got involved, whether doing bond drives, heading to bases to entertain, or even going overseas. The premise has a former vaudevillian turned movie star (George Raft) neglecting his marriage to his dancing leading lady (Vera Zorina) to accomplish this. Musical numbers and comedy sketches frame a strong storyline, so this is a bit more than the usual "look what we did for the boys" musical revue most of the movie studios were turning out. That isn't mean to diminish movies like "Hollywood Canteen", "Stage Door Canteen", "This is the Army", "Thousands Cheer" and "Thank Your Lucky Stars", but there is a greater purpose to the movie than simply being an entertainment.
The highlights for me include a wonderful Andrews Sisters medley, as well as a reprise of "Beyond the Blue Horizon" sung by Jeanette MacDonald, which she first sang in the 1930 movie operetta "Monte Carlo". The war setting for that song is just as appropriate as it was in that earlier film. A wonderful array of stars famous and obscure include such gems as Sophia Tucker ("the last of the Red Hot Mama's"), W.C. Fields (performing his pool act which I found dated), Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan (the Mickey & Judy of Universal), Dinah Shore (singing "I Walk Alone" to a montage of soldiers overseas) and various popular bandleaders. Orson Welles gets to do a funny magic show with the help of glamorous Marlene Dietrich. And then there are character performers like Charley Grapewin, Charles Butterworth, George MacReady and Elizabeth Patterson, famous enough to play themselves, but portraying fictional characters.
Shots of various stars on actual bond tours, as well as a call board with the names and sites of the various bond and base activities going on add authenticity. As for the actual storyline between Raft and Ms. Zorina, I found it realistic to see how what was going on had an impact on their marriage as their priorities became twisted during a war of which some effects are still being felt today. Some of the situations seem a bit forced but when you've got this array of talent, that is a minor complaint.
The highlights for me include a wonderful Andrews Sisters medley, as well as a reprise of "Beyond the Blue Horizon" sung by Jeanette MacDonald, which she first sang in the 1930 movie operetta "Monte Carlo". The war setting for that song is just as appropriate as it was in that earlier film. A wonderful array of stars famous and obscure include such gems as Sophia Tucker ("the last of the Red Hot Mama's"), W.C. Fields (performing his pool act which I found dated), Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan (the Mickey & Judy of Universal), Dinah Shore (singing "I Walk Alone" to a montage of soldiers overseas) and various popular bandleaders. Orson Welles gets to do a funny magic show with the help of glamorous Marlene Dietrich. And then there are character performers like Charley Grapewin, Charles Butterworth, George MacReady and Elizabeth Patterson, famous enough to play themselves, but portraying fictional characters.
Shots of various stars on actual bond tours, as well as a call board with the names and sites of the various bond and base activities going on add authenticity. As for the actual storyline between Raft and Ms. Zorina, I found it realistic to see how what was going on had an impact on their marriage as their priorities became twisted during a war of which some effects are still being felt today. Some of the situations seem a bit forced but when you've got this array of talent, that is a minor complaint.