IslandGuru Who payed the critics

SeeQuant Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

edwagreen Inane 1943 farce with Lucille Ball portraying herself. She goes to a military school's prom in order to advance her sagging career. Bill Braxton plays her opportune agent.Nancy Walker has some laughs as one of the girls in the group. She is joined by Gloria De Haven and June Allyson who sing merrily long.Ball reminds us that she could sing nicely. She is caught up in the farce and when it threatens to bring disgrace to the young cadet who invited her, she springs into action for his defense. In other words, she puts her selfish pride beside to help the guy.The scene where just about everyone runs into her room reminded me of "Room Service" with Ball and the Marx Brothers.Harry James leads a fine orchestra and the title song Win Winsocki if you buckle down is memorable.

classicsoncall The draw for this film is definitely Lucille Ball, a number of years before she took the country by storm in "I Love Lucy". I've always been of the opinion that she looked gorgeous in her movie roles, and with the Techicolor format here, it's more than apparent. However the hairstyles of the era didn't do her justice in this picture, especially in her first appearance of the film. Whoever was in charge of wardrobe didn't do a good job either with the tan outfit when she first arrived at Winsocki. How does tan go with bright red hair? Miss Ball's personality is a bit off-putting as well, as she arrives on scene at the Winsocki Military Institute somewhat under duress. Attempting to salvage her career in film (in the story line), her agent (William Gaxton) thought it a good idea to accept a young cadet's invitation to be his date at the annual dance. The publicity will do wonders for her career, he says. As the story progresses, Lucy warms up her character and winds up compassionately supporting her military escort (Tommy Dix as Bud Hooper).I guess you'd have to call this a musical; there's the opening 'Buckle Down Winsocki' tune to get you into the spirit of things, and later numbers feature both song and dance routines. The surprise performance of the film is Nancy Walker in an unglamorous role as 'Blind Date' Nancy, making lemonade out of every lemon thrown her way. She teams with a couple more future stars, June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven, in a lively rendition of 'The Three B's', as in Barrelhouse, Boogie-Woogie and The Blues, each actress featured with her own portion of the presentation. I liked that number the best.Lending musical support to the effort was Harry James and His Music Makers. James belts out a lively 'Flight of the Bumble Bee' on his bugle, undoubtedly meant to feature his nimble fingers. Later he does a humorous dance number with Walker, who displays a remarkable talent for not falling down considering the tempo and almost impossible steps she was required to make. Very entertaining.The military uniforms look sharp and the girls look great in their white prom dresses. There's your usual hi-jinks in a flick of this sort keeping things light and humorous. If you're in the mood for a lively and upbeat good time, this is a pretty good way to go.

kenjha A cadet at a military academy invites Lucille Ball to the senior prom and she shows up after her manager convinces her that it's good publicity! Who better to play Lucille Ball than Lucille Ball? In fact, she was so good at it that she played herself in two movies in 1943 ("Thousands Cheer" being the other). She looks rather alluring in this one! Dix, who kind of looks like Leonardo Di Caprio, apparently retired from acting after this one big role. Weidler, who plays his girlfriend, also retired after this film. In her film debut, Walker is funny as a homely student who tries to get the attention of every man she can. The plot is very thin, but it's mildly amusing.

preppy-3 A kid at a military academy named Bud Hooper (Tommy Dix) sends a fan letter to Lucille Ball asking her to be his prom date--despite the fact that he has a girlfriend, Helen Schelsinger (Virginia Weidler). Ball accepts under the pressuring of her agent (William Gaxton). Bud's two roomies (Kenny Bowers, Jack Jordan) are also hot for Ball. Add Nancy Walker and Harry James and his Orchestra and thing go barreling out of control.Not a great musical but enjoyable. The color is bright, the film is full of life and there are some very funny (if dated) lines. Most of the songs are unmemorable (and go on far too long) until the last one--it's a great little number called "Buckle Down Winsocki" and easily stops the show.Acting--well Ball is just incredible--VERY sexy, funny and believable. Dix is just so-so as Bud, Weidler is good as his girlfriend. His two roomies--one is OK (Bowers) but the other (Jordan) over OVER ACTS to a truly annoying degree. It reached the point that every time he was on screen I was cringing away. Walker's character is treated dreadfully--she's the butt of some VERY cruel jokes. Still she manages to be funny regardless. Also this is one of you few chances to see Walker sing and dance (pretty well) and see Lucy sing (although her voice is obviously dubbed). And there's Gloria DeHaven and June Allyson in bit parts!Nothing great but I enjoyed it. If the songs had been better this would have gotten a 10. As it is I'm giving it a 7. Worth catching.