Drôle d'histoire

I happened to see this movie twice or more and found it well made! WWII had freshly ended and the so-called "Cold War" was about to begin. This movie could, therefore, be defined as one of the best "propaganda", patriotic movies preparing Americans and, secondly, people from the still to be formed "Western NATO block" of countries to face the next coming menace. The movie celebrates the might of the US, through the centuries, while projecting itself onwards to the then present war, which had just ended. Nice and funny is the way of describing the discovering of the American Continent by Columbus and pretty the "espisode" of New Amsterdam and the purchasing of Manhattan from a drunk local Indian .. Must see it (at least once, for curiosity of fashion of propaganda through time)! :)

Fred MacMurray plays a guy who wants to do his patriotic duty and join the Army but he's 4F so they won't take him. To make matters worse, the girl he loves (June Haver) only dates soldiers. One night Fred frees a genie from a lamp and the genie grants him wishes in return. He wishes to be in the Army but the genie misunderstands and sends him back in time to join the Army of George Washington. From there, Fred bounces around in time to earlier points in American history where he sails with Columbus, buys Manhattan from Anthony Quinn, and hangs around with Dutch settlers who talk like Yoda.

Well this was an interesting little gem I'd never heard of. It's a pleasant Technicolor musical comedy with songs by Ira Gershwin and Kurt Weill. Fred MacMurray is amiable and easygoing. Joan Leslie is lovable as the girl best friend that is, of course, perfect for Fred but he doesn't see it yet. June Haver does fine in a role that would be easy to hate in a more serious movie. Fred and June met while making this and were later married. The songs are cute but nothing terribly impressive. Wait until you see MacMurray dance. Don't quit your day job, Fred! The Christopher Columbus operetta is probably the highlight. Enjoyable wartime fantasy that's very light and charming. Fun but never quite as good as it seems like it could be. Still, if you're a fan of the stars or old-school musicals you should like it.

This film is from 1945, in gorgeous (but a little too dark in the night-time scenes) Technicolor, with songs by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin! It's a war-time pageant and everyone wants to get in the army, and a genie appears to help Fred MacMurray do a "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" entry into various times of American history. Anthony Quinn is funny as a street-smart Indian, and I never realized how gorgeous June Haver and Joan Leslie were. So-so songs and a terrible title explain how unknown this goofy film is. Gregory Ratoff was evidentially a better actor (Symphony for Six Million) than a director, but at 77 minutes this film is worth your time, especially if you like musicals. Nice to look at, and the choreography is pretty amusing.

The idea behind "Where Do We Go from Here?" is an excellent one. Too bad the movie stinks....and it does indeed stink!

Bill Morgan (Fred MacMurray) is upset that he keeps getting rejected for military duty in WWII. He wants to do his part and get girls. So, when he discovers a magical vase and releases the genie, he asks to be able to fight in the war....but the dopey genie keeps sending him to the wrong wars and the film takes a trip through history.

Fred MacMurray is oddly cast in this film. This is because it's a musical and his singing talents are fair at best. His voice is thin but not unpleasant...but not the sort of guy you'd expect in the lead in a musical. Additionally, the comedy is limp and, combined with the songs, wears thin very, very quickly. Not fun to watch in the least.

By the way, trust me on this but the Columbus section repeats a lot of myths...such as that Columbus was trying to prove the world was round. Folks in 1492 KNEW the world was round...they just didn't want to head west because they had no idea what was there! The things you learn when you are a history teacher!

This is a delightful fantasy operetta romp through American history, with a score by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Ira Gershwin.

Bill Morgan (Fred MacMurray) wants to join the Army but is ruled 4F. Instead, he is put in charge of local scrap recycling. He breaks a lamp, and frees a genie. Morgan tell the genie he wants to get into the Army--but doesn't mention which century he wants. Morgan's girlfriends Sally (Joan Leslie) and Lucilla (June Haver) accompany him through the centuries.

The fine score carries the film through and past its sillier moments. Leslie has the best song - "If Love Remains". The Christopher Columbus segment is done as an opera with MacMurray breaking up the grand opera with a patter song in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan. Haver is the liveliest of the three, as a born con woman, throughout the centuries. Watch for Anthony Quinn and read the traffic signs--no matter what century they're in.