No, this ain't Shakespeare! In fact, at least looking back now, it's a slightly below average film. But there are things here that make it interesting.
First, this is where Lucille Ball first met Desi Arnaz (in his first film, after appearing in the Broadway play of the same name), and they married soon thereafter. To my surprise, although he's a bit rough around the edges, Arnaz was quite good here. Lucy was very good, also, although I thought that at 29 she looked too old to be a college student.
Second, you don't have to look very hard to see a very young (24) Van Johnson, as a chorus boy, in his first film, and he does have a few (very few) lines of dialog.
Third, you have one of the most beautiful songs ever written in this sort-of musical: "You're Nearer" by Rodgers & Hart. Wanna hear it done perfectly? Look for Perry Como's 1968 version.
But then we get to the problems. For example, a silly plot, but not one you'd hold your nose over. And you've got Ann Miller, who was always a bit too butch for me. They throw in Frances Langford to sing a couple of songs (and she was a good singer), but then give her little to do in the story. Oh, and just out of curiosity, why does Desi Arnaz's character have the Irish last name of Lynch (I ask because I am a Lynch).
Richard Carlson is pretty decent as Lucille Ball's love interest. Eddie Bracken is okay as another football player. The other supporting players do their jobs, but not much more.
So, as I said, there are some interesting reasons to watch this film even though it's strictly a B-type film (even though it may have been an "A" film to RKO). Let's put it this way, this is not one of those "A" list MGM musicals.
First, this is where Lucille Ball first met Desi Arnaz (in his first film, after appearing in the Broadway play of the same name), and they married soon thereafter. To my surprise, although he's a bit rough around the edges, Arnaz was quite good here. Lucy was very good, also, although I thought that at 29 she looked too old to be a college student.
Second, you don't have to look very hard to see a very young (24) Van Johnson, as a chorus boy, in his first film, and he does have a few (very few) lines of dialog.
Third, you have one of the most beautiful songs ever written in this sort-of musical: "You're Nearer" by Rodgers & Hart. Wanna hear it done perfectly? Look for Perry Como's 1968 version.
But then we get to the problems. For example, a silly plot, but not one you'd hold your nose over. And you've got Ann Miller, who was always a bit too butch for me. They throw in Frances Langford to sing a couple of songs (and she was a good singer), but then give her little to do in the story. Oh, and just out of curiosity, why does Desi Arnaz's character have the Irish last name of Lynch (I ask because I am a Lynch).
Richard Carlson is pretty decent as Lucille Ball's love interest. Eddie Bracken is okay as another football player. The other supporting players do their jobs, but not much more.
So, as I said, there are some interesting reasons to watch this film even though it's strictly a B-type film (even though it may have been an "A" film to RKO). Let's put it this way, this is not one of those "A" list MGM musicals.