During this era, even variety show films, such as this, were thought to require at least a bit of popup romance and romantic drama. But, in this one, this gets way out of hand! Robert Hutton's fixation on Joan Leslie dominates the screen play throughout. And when this duo isn't on screen, a rather sinister-looking Dane Clark is likely trying to flirt with one of several stars. Ida Lupino looks uncomfortable while he's trying to impress her(They would later star in the unjustly forgotten "Deep Valley", as an unlikely tragic 'looser' couple). I understand that this was supposed to allow lonely soldiers to identify with the nobody soldiers cavorting with Hollywood stars, but makes for a tedious film for post-war audiences. Warner's war relief-supporting multistar vehicles of the previous year :"This is the Army" and "Thank Your Lucky Stars" have withstood the test of time as entertainment much better, on the whole. Looks like Warners ran low on 'gas' for this one, although there are a number of entertaining acts. More so than those other films, this one was too much of a 'spot the stars' film and was partly a PR film to spotlight the existence of the canteen. This was fine during the war, but of little interest to today's viewers. Yes, the Andrew Sisters did a couple of songs, though not their best. Don't know why they followed Roy Roger's "Don't Fence Me In" with their own rendition of the same song?? Eddie Cantor did a short skit, but you see much more of him in "Thank Your Lucky Stars". Alexis Smith was a mere 5 sec. presence vs. her beautiful romantic dance in the above film. Jack Benny is his usual arrogant boring stage self. Even Warner's premier tenor, Dennis Morgan, prominently featured in the above film, comes off rather flat with a not very good song.
On the other hand, Jane Wyman and Jack Carson are entertaining with "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?". Jane should have been a singing actress in other roles, besides the later tribute to Cole Porter: "Night and Day". In fact, she once was a radio singer, while waiting for some film studio to sign her. Her comment about being Reaganized(Ronnie was her then husband) suggests she knew something of his future political plans. Jimmy Dorsey's band backs up many of the numbers and is featured in the lively "King Porter Stomp". Unfortunately, he would have to dissolve his band in a few years..The lullaby-like "Sweet Dreams, Sweetheart" is sung by Joan Leslie(dubbed) and, again near the end, by Kitty Carlisle, mainly for the benefit of Robert Hutton's character. But, the standout performance for spectator interest is the very well choreographed dance production starring the very energetic Joan McCracken, who had several Broadway shows, including Oklahoma, to her credit. Her dancing would be featured in only a couple of Hollywood films. One wonders why she didn't have a more prominent film career. Unfortunately, she suffered from diabetes 1 and would die rather young from its complications....Rosario and Antonio follow with an excellent, if stereotypical, Spanish dance. Third place in the dance category goes to Trigger(Roy Roger's horse), who danced to "Don't Fence Me In". The African American Glden Gate Quartette also showed promise with their rather non-descript novelty song.
On the other hand, Jane Wyman and Jack Carson are entertaining with "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?". Jane should have been a singing actress in other roles, besides the later tribute to Cole Porter: "Night and Day". In fact, she once was a radio singer, while waiting for some film studio to sign her. Her comment about being Reaganized(Ronnie was her then husband) suggests she knew something of his future political plans. Jimmy Dorsey's band backs up many of the numbers and is featured in the lively "King Porter Stomp". Unfortunately, he would have to dissolve his band in a few years..The lullaby-like "Sweet Dreams, Sweetheart" is sung by Joan Leslie(dubbed) and, again near the end, by Kitty Carlisle, mainly for the benefit of Robert Hutton's character. But, the standout performance for spectator interest is the very well choreographed dance production starring the very energetic Joan McCracken, who had several Broadway shows, including Oklahoma, to her credit. Her dancing would be featured in only a couple of Hollywood films. One wonders why she didn't have a more prominent film career. Unfortunately, she suffered from diabetes 1 and would die rather young from its complications....Rosario and Antonio follow with an excellent, if stereotypical, Spanish dance. Third place in the dance category goes to Trigger(Roy Roger's horse), who danced to "Don't Fence Me In". The African American Glden Gate Quartette also showed promise with their rather non-descript novelty song.