The Fleet's In

Typical 40s musical nonsense without a real plot, but this one is fun and boasts an interesting cast.

Gorgeous Dorothy Lamour stars as The Countess of Swingland, a singer at a local dance spot (and she's excellent). She rooms with Bessie (Betty Hutton in her feature film debut), who provides comic relief. Along come a coupla sailors: shy William Holden and geeky Eddie Bracken. Through a series of errors the guys on the ship think Holden is a major Romeo so they bet a bundle that he can't thaw out The Countess--a famous iceberg.

Lots of songs and variety numbers enliven this silliness plus the stars are all good. This is the film that introduced "Tangerine" here sung by Helen O'Connell and Bob Eberly (in Jimmy Dorsey's big band). Lamour and company also sing the very nice "I Remember You," which was remade into a semi-hit by Frank Ifield (I had the record). Hutton sings the comic "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry." Cass Daley (I had never seen her before) is sort of a cross between Martha Raye and Judy Canova but can sure sing. Lots of familiar faces here with Dave Willock, Leif Erickson, Robert Warwick, Jack Norton, Barbara Britton, Betty Jane Rhodes, and the odious Gil Lamb (a B version of Ray Bolger). And then there's a dance specialty called Lorraine and Rognan--very funny.

Certainly worth a look for Lamour, Hutton, and Holden.

"Hey there, mister, you better watch your sister, 'cause the fleet's in". That song sticks in your mind long after you have seen this little early 40's movie. It may not be to all tastes and was a vehicle for actors that would go on to bigger and better things....William Holden, Betty Huttton, Dorothy Lamour,etc. But it is fun. Some of the supporting players, although popular in their day, don't play as well now...Cass Daley and the irritating Gil Lamb. The music of Jimmy Dorsey and the singing of Bob Eberley and Helen O'Connell make it worth watching if for no other reason. Eddie Bracken is great,as usual and a lot of familiar faces show up...Dave Willock, Robert Warwick and Rod Cameron (before his cowboy roles). If you are a fan of "B" musicals that make you smile and go away humming, then this is for you.

This was one of Paramount's biggest grossers of 1942, and it gave Betty Hutton the chance of a lifetime. She is a powerhouse here with great chemistry with her co-star, Eddie Bracken. They were to go on to greater heights in MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK. It's almost everything the audiences of wartime 1942 wanted: bright and bouncy music done by the top talent of the day, a star, Dorothy Lamour, who never looked better, and a silly escapist plot to lighten one's mood. The only drawback: it was filmed in black-and-white, when it screamed for Technicolor. Still, this is a musical that should be on DVD and NOW! What's not to sell? It has a young William Holden, Dorothy Lsmour, Betty Hutton's dynamics, one of the top Big Bands, Jimmy Dorsey, and the singing talents of Bob Eberle and Helen O'Connell. Priceless nostalgia.

First of all, let me say it is a crime this movie is not available on DVD. Is anyone listening? A very early effort for William Holden and he is right on target as the good looking but shy country boy who is asked by his buddies to help them win a bet by seducing the untouchable "Countess",beautifully played by the gorgeous Dorothy Lamour. It was this movie,not the Bob and Bing road movies, that made me fall for Dorothy. The movie is full of laughs and good songs from the 40s. This movie came out just after the beginning of WWII and in time to bring a little humor to an America that would soon grow war-weary. If you like 1940s musicals, this is one of the best. Just as a note,the movie was later remade for Elvis Presley, given an army slant instead of navy, and called "G.I. Blues".

"Hey there, mister! You'd Better Hide Your Sister, 'Cause the Fleet's In!" That is the vivacious opening of a film that captures the spirit of an era fondly remembered by those who lived it. I remember the film specially since it was one of the first I ever saw. I saw it as a teenager when it came out, and enjoyed it greatly. There were laughs, which would sound rather dated now, perhaps, but charmingly innocent. William Holden as an innocent young sailor is a wonderful contrast to the roles he played later. In spite of the impression left by the words of the opening song, the sailors were very polite, and the film is a romance as well as a comedy. The high point for me was an extraordinarily beautiful vocal by Betty Hutton, in a serious vein, of the song: "It's Somebody Else's Moon Above, Not Mine." Dorsey's orchestra is fine, and Helen O'Connell, but Betty Hutton's heartbroken rendering of that moving song steals the show. A winner.