"Private Buckaroo" doesn't try to be anything more than it claimed to be at the time – an enlistment promo for the Army. It was 1942 and the U.S. had just committed its full force to World War II. While we may like to think that everyone eligible ran to the enlistment offices to sign up after Pearl Harbor (many did, but many more were still needed), there was natural human reticence about war, healthy fear of war and for life, immediate family needs, and other reasons that kept many men, especially, from running to join the ranks. So, Uncle Sam enlisted the support of Hollywood in this and other productions to help convince men and women to join up.
We had many other films during World War II, with varying degrees of action, drama, and depictions of the horror and losses of war, as well as the heroics of many people. But films like "Private Buckaroo" were not intended for the same purposes of telling the stories of war. My point with all of this is that this film can't be viewed with other plot-driven movies about the war.
It does have a very thin plot that, for the most part today, may seem annoying to many people. But, granting it as a means to string together the entertainment, we can quickly let it go and simply enjoy the tremendous musical performances of this film. The comedy is OK too, but not anything outstanding.
My rating for this film is based solely on the performers and the great talents the movie showcases. We have so few films from the first half of the 20th century that include the performances of many of the great swing bands and musical entertainers of the day. This one has some of the very best of the Andrews Sisters and Harry James and his band. For that reason alone, this is worth watching, enjoying and keeping.
We had many other films during World War II, with varying degrees of action, drama, and depictions of the horror and losses of war, as well as the heroics of many people. But films like "Private Buckaroo" were not intended for the same purposes of telling the stories of war. My point with all of this is that this film can't be viewed with other plot-driven movies about the war.
It does have a very thin plot that, for the most part today, may seem annoying to many people. But, granting it as a means to string together the entertainment, we can quickly let it go and simply enjoy the tremendous musical performances of this film. The comedy is OK too, but not anything outstanding.
My rating for this film is based solely on the performers and the great talents the movie showcases. We have so few films from the first half of the 20th century that include the performances of many of the great swing bands and musical entertainers of the day. This one has some of the very best of the Andrews Sisters and Harry James and his band. For that reason alone, this is worth watching, enjoying and keeping.