Harmless fluff from MGM made soon after America's entry into WWII.
Eleanor Powell plays Tallulah Winters, a dance speciality with the Tommy Dorsey band. The troupé is booked to play a stint in Puerto Rico and on the evening they are scheduled to sail she is approached by what she believes to be agents of the American government who want her to transport a new type of magnetic mine to the Latin port. Being an eager patriot and wanting to do her bit, she agrees, but you've guessed it, she's been duped as the agents are really working for Auntie Tojo and cousin Adolf rather than Uncle Sam.
On board she meets Pulp fiction author Merton Kibble, (Red Skelton), who's hypochondria has reached such a level that a nice cruise and the opportunity for some R&R seems to be just what he needs.
The plot plods along at such a speed that it doesn't exactly grip you but you're not exactly bored senseless either. In fact you sometimes even forget about the espionage subplot as you're too engaged in the love story between Eleanor & Red, the comic shenanigans of Bert Lahr and Virginia O'Brien and also the constant musical numbers to even care about the patriotic message the film halfheartedly gives out.
The movie does give us some great numbers from Dorsey and his boys and drummer Buddy Rich gets a very impressive spot and it's easy to see why so many rock drummers cited Rich as an influence on their own playing even decades later as he could play like a man possessed and kind of left time keeping to the other guy. Powell's dancing numbers were good enough, but I felt that they were held back slightly as I've seen her dance in many other films that have given me goosebumps while watching, no such feelings here though I'm afraid.
Also in the Dorsey camp and in an uncredited role, is a singer SO GOOD that I'm flabbergasted that he didn't go on to have super stardom of his own. He was bit on the skinny side and no doubt had some Italian ancestry, but this boy could have easily rivalled both Bing Crosby and Dean Martin as the world's best crooner had he been given the chance. If anyone finds out his name, please post it on the message board as I'd love to find out more about him.
In this movie, Skelton mercifully manages to remain the right side of lunacy as sometimes he always managed to go too far in all other movies I've seen him in, but his scene with the magnetised suitcase is hilarious. Lahr and O'Brien are also a joy to watch and I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to O'Brien's deadpan and expressionless delivery of songs.
The plot is forgettable the stars are not and it is they who keep Ship Ahoy well and truly afloat as without their presence it could easily have sank without trace.
Before I forget, someone said that Frank Sinatra is in this movie somewhere but I haven't found him yet. Maybe he felt intimidated by that great singer from the Dorsey band and it scared him off.
Enjoy!!!
Eleanor Powell plays Tallulah Winters, a dance speciality with the Tommy Dorsey band. The troupé is booked to play a stint in Puerto Rico and on the evening they are scheduled to sail she is approached by what she believes to be agents of the American government who want her to transport a new type of magnetic mine to the Latin port. Being an eager patriot and wanting to do her bit, she agrees, but you've guessed it, she's been duped as the agents are really working for Auntie Tojo and cousin Adolf rather than Uncle Sam.
On board she meets Pulp fiction author Merton Kibble, (Red Skelton), who's hypochondria has reached such a level that a nice cruise and the opportunity for some R&R seems to be just what he needs.
The plot plods along at such a speed that it doesn't exactly grip you but you're not exactly bored senseless either. In fact you sometimes even forget about the espionage subplot as you're too engaged in the love story between Eleanor & Red, the comic shenanigans of Bert Lahr and Virginia O'Brien and also the constant musical numbers to even care about the patriotic message the film halfheartedly gives out.
The movie does give us some great numbers from Dorsey and his boys and drummer Buddy Rich gets a very impressive spot and it's easy to see why so many rock drummers cited Rich as an influence on their own playing even decades later as he could play like a man possessed and kind of left time keeping to the other guy. Powell's dancing numbers were good enough, but I felt that they were held back slightly as I've seen her dance in many other films that have given me goosebumps while watching, no such feelings here though I'm afraid.
Also in the Dorsey camp and in an uncredited role, is a singer SO GOOD that I'm flabbergasted that he didn't go on to have super stardom of his own. He was bit on the skinny side and no doubt had some Italian ancestry, but this boy could have easily rivalled both Bing Crosby and Dean Martin as the world's best crooner had he been given the chance. If anyone finds out his name, please post it on the message board as I'd love to find out more about him.
In this movie, Skelton mercifully manages to remain the right side of lunacy as sometimes he always managed to go too far in all other movies I've seen him in, but his scene with the magnetised suitcase is hilarious. Lahr and O'Brien are also a joy to watch and I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to O'Brien's deadpan and expressionless delivery of songs.
The plot is forgettable the stars are not and it is they who keep Ship Ahoy well and truly afloat as without their presence it could easily have sank without trace.
Before I forget, someone said that Frank Sinatra is in this movie somewhere but I haven't found him yet. Maybe he felt intimidated by that great singer from the Dorsey band and it scared him off.
Enjoy!!!