Follow the Boys (1944)

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Then-topical puttin'-on-a-show-for-the-troops film is now interesting, from a historical perspective, for a certain documentary-like quality. Though it was made by Universal, it doesn't shy away from name-dropping other movie studios and performers, as parts of the collective effort of the entertainment industries to give soldiers a few hours of joy during WWII. Worth catching are the historic first teaming of Orson Welels and Marlene Dietrich (he does some magic tricks, and then saws her in half; "we lose a girl in every performance!", he warns the audience), and a lively Donald O'Connor - Peggy Ryan duet. But the main "plot" is a drag: George Raft is miscast, especially in the early scenes that require a light touch (with that voice, he always sounds as if he is about to punch someone), and Vera Zorina, a real-life dancer, is mostly relegated to a thankless dramatic part. Note: I watched the edited, 110-minute version. ** out of 4.

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.

This movie is full of surprises, including an Andrews Sister mimicking a strip tease, a full scale dog act including trapeze tricks, Dinah Shore at the beginning of her long career, George Raft doing a Valentino take-off, Arthur Rubinstein performing on the piano a song that Spike Jones later had a hit with, Charlie Spivak and his orchestra proving that Harry James had no corner on mooing horns and muted muzak, and what appears to be Getty Grable dancing in cold weather issue Micky Mouse boots! Louis Jourdan and his band are the stand-outs among the musical performances, with "Is You Is or Is You Ain't". George Raft doing a soft-shoe in the rain to Jourdan's "Sweet Georgia Brown" is a close second. The big surprise is Orson Welles, relatively svelte, performing some David Copperfield-like magic tricks with a magnificent stage presence. Those who have seen the Peter Seller's and David Niven "Casino Royale" will know what I mean. By the way, "Casino Royale" also included George Raft in a brief cameo.A bit long and interrupted by an unnecessary plot, this flick is worth seeing again and again.

This is a very good movie to see for the entertainers who are really the stars here. Plus you get a real good feel for the organization that went into getting all of the stars to the troops. This is a good look at history from the standpoint of getting to see the stars of the 1940s. Good music too. 7/10