... but plot is not the point. It is pure escapist entertainment, which the homefront desperately needed in this first full year of wartime. Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby) and Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire) have a song and dance act that Jim retires from to go start an inn in Connecticut. After a year of this, Jim decides to convert the inn into a nightclub that is open only for holidays - 15 days a year. Put down your adding machines and forget trying to figure out the financial feasibility of this.
An unknown girl comes out to the inn (Marjorie Reynolds as Linda) looking for a career in entertainment and a job, and she and Jim begin to fall for each other. But then up pops Ted, and Jim is worried that history will repeat itself and Ted will steal his new girl. Ted is the sophisticated type, Jim is the homebody type. Linda is not sure which type she is. Let the rather predictable romantic triangle that at times becomes a rectangle begin. More importantly cue the Irving Berlin songs and the great singing and dancing.
Marjorie Reynolds just did not impress me, but it's not like she is awful either. She is just...there. But the back and forth between Fred and Bing is wonderful with Walter Abel as the agent lending great comic support.
Odd for a 1942 film, this one does not mention WWII once. The only reference to it at all is a little bit of film of production lines of wartime equipment being made during the Independence Day number.
And as for folks who dislike this movie for The Number That Shall Not Be Named, do take note that it is Louise Beavers' character that actually saves the day by getting Bing's character to come to his senses. I'll let you watch and find out what I mean. As for me, I highly recommend this. It's a great holiday film and a great feel good film.
An unknown girl comes out to the inn (Marjorie Reynolds as Linda) looking for a career in entertainment and a job, and she and Jim begin to fall for each other. But then up pops Ted, and Jim is worried that history will repeat itself and Ted will steal his new girl. Ted is the sophisticated type, Jim is the homebody type. Linda is not sure which type she is. Let the rather predictable romantic triangle that at times becomes a rectangle begin. More importantly cue the Irving Berlin songs and the great singing and dancing.
Marjorie Reynolds just did not impress me, but it's not like she is awful either. She is just...there. But the back and forth between Fred and Bing is wonderful with Walter Abel as the agent lending great comic support.
Odd for a 1942 film, this one does not mention WWII once. The only reference to it at all is a little bit of film of production lines of wartime equipment being made during the Independence Day number.
And as for folks who dislike this movie for The Number That Shall Not Be Named, do take note that it is Louise Beavers' character that actually saves the day by getting Bing's character to come to his senses. I'll let you watch and find out what I mean. As for me, I highly recommend this. It's a great holiday film and a great feel good film.