Rotta sui Caraibi

As with most of Eleanor Powell's films, this one plays out along the flimsiest of plots. For some reason -- oh it is explained! -- she's selected to transport a magnetic mine to Cuba. Good guys and bad guys compete for the mine and who is who gets confusing. But, as always, Powell's dancing is superb and worth the price of admission. And in this one Lahr plays his cowardly lion, evoking warm memories of that Technicolor film of 1939. A fringe benefit is hearing a young Frank, with that wonderful voice and skinny vulnerability that he abandoned for his wise-guy persona later on. In addition, the great drummer, Buddy Rich, has a wonderful time displaying his virtuosity. Watch particularly for his unique duet with Dorsey's trumpet man, Ziggy Elman. I say "unique" perhaps in ignorance, but I know of no other drum/trumpet sequence like this one on film or records. This film is fun. Even Skelton's goofy persona is relatively restrained. Powell shows again that she is the greatest film dancer ever.

"Ship Ahoy" was probably made in order to showcase MGM talent. The film is a fun trip on an ocean liner on its way to San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the time in which the country was involved in WWII. This was typical fare for the studios, which gave the movie going public light weight entertainment as a distraction during those difficult times the country was living.

The beautiful Eleanor Powell is seen at her best in some musical numbers where she clearly shows us she was a dancer to be reckoned with. Red Skelton is also seen in a straight part with not too much clowning, as he pursues the beautiful Ms. Powell on the ship that is bringing them to Puerto Rico. The irresistible Bert Lahr has good opportunities in the film to show he was a funny man. Also Virginia Grey is seen as a fun girl who is not fooled by anyone.

There are good musical numbers featuring Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, in which one sees, among others, the amazing Buddy Rich, who has a few solos with Mr. Dorsey and Ms. Powell. A young Frank Sinatra appears also as the lead singer of the band, backed by the Pied Pipers.

This is a nostalgic trip that should be savored by fans of this genre, which MGM totally controlled.

So-so musical comedy with a flimsy espionage plot. Dancer Eleanor Powell is tricked VERY easily by Axis spies into taking some super special magnetic mine on board a ship headed to Puerto Rico. On the voyage she falls for writer Red Skelton, who also happens to be the guy who wrote the story that gave the spies the whole idea to begin with. Yeah, I know. Anyway, no one cares about all that. If you watched this, chances are you did so either to see Skelton do his shtick or to see Powell dance. If you're here for Skelton, you might be disappointed since he's rather subdued this time around. That's actually a plus for me as he isn't one of my favorite comic actors. If, like me, you watched this for Eleanor Powell, you undoubtedly enjoyed her nice tap numbers. Outside of the two stars, the movie has two other things worth mentioning about it. The first is a positive - an early appearance from a skinny Frank Sinatra singing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The second is a negative - the Cowardly Lion himself, Bert Lahr, plays Skelton's comic relief sidekick. Why Skelton, of all people, would need a sidekick trying to upstage him is beyond me. Lahr is a big drain on the movie, annoying to no end and playing a horndog chasing after girls half his age. The guy was literally born in the 19th century and poor Virginia O'Brien, in her early twenties here, is forced to play opposite him. Gross. Anyway, it's not the best movie but it will help to pass the time in a mostly pleasant way. The romance is flat and the comedy is a bit weak but Powell is charming and the musical numbers are good.

As the story in my family goes, my dad, Milton Raskin, played the piano for the Dorsey band. After Sinatra joined the band, my dad practiced with him for hours on end. Then, at a point in time, my dad told Sinatra that he was actually to good to be tied up with such a small group (band), and that he should venture off on his own. By that time Sinatra had enough credits 'under his belt' to do just that! Dorsey never forgave my dad, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I have some pictures and records to that effect, and so does Berkley University in California.

I have seen just about every Sinatra movie more times than I wish to say, and his movies never get old . . . Thank you Frank

One of the legendary Broadway stars who did not forge a memorable career in films, Bert Lahr performs at his cinematic best in this flimsy, albeit entertaining, musical comedy. Given considerable screen time and a character that permits his idiosyncratic comic turns to fit comfortably, Lahr exceeds his achievements in other movies. Whether working to only the camera, or with Red Skelton, or with Virginia O'Brien (a good partner for him), Bert Lahr at last shows what he can do. His brand of comedy may not be to everyone's taste (whose is?), but if you like his "shtick," don't miss this one.