This is my third review of a movie starring someone who'd eventually make a greater impact on television when that was starting to become a phenomenon. Unlike Jackie Gleason in Navy Blues or Milton Berle in Whispering Ghosts, however, Sid Caesar in Tars and Spars showcases his talent full blown. Maybe that's because he starred in a revue of the same name previously which made Columbia take notice and buy the property outright. So here you see Sid do his take on an airplane movie with his enunciating sound effects and voicing of gibberish intact. He's hilarious doing that or singing how he loves eggs! Also appearing is singer Alfred Drake-fresh from the Broadway musical Oklahoma!-in the only time he displayed his voice talents on film, Janet Blair-a stunning presence in song and dance, and Jeff Donnell-a cute and perky female counterpoint to Caesar's partly cynical outlook. The story's not much and all I want to say about that is it wastes many scenes on Drake and Blair arguing some points in their attitudes concerning them. There are many wonderful musical numbers including a pretty bizarre one involving a pig-tailed young woman. So on that note, Tars and Spars was the best in showcasing a comedian who'd make more impact on TV than when initially doing film.
Review of Tars and Spars
