OK, so I doubt anyone went to see this for the plot which is just a wrap around device to showcase as many Hollywood stars as possible, doing what they do best in aid of the American war effort and morale boosting patriotism. But the plot for what its worth features George Raft as part of a washed up vaudeville act that tries his fortune in films and ends up winning over the leading lady in a film he features in, marrying her and reaching stardom himself as they become Hollywood's latest golden couple. Then war intervenes and an injury prevents him enlisting so he assumes responsibility for overseas entertainment for the troops, enlisting his illustrious Hollywood colleagues and rather neglecting his pregnant wife as a consequence. Vera Zorina is his leading lady but she is purely confined to the plot side of things which somewhat restricts her, whereas Raft gets to join in on the action too, so to speak. Most notably , following Louis Jordan and his orchestra's brilliant rendition of Is You Is Or Is You Ain't with a remarkable dancin' in the rain version of Sweet Georgia Brown. And for those who think Raft was just a gangster actor, wow, this shows the man was a hell of a mover! And the acts are what brings this film to life, they are delightful and one ponders whether it wouldn't have been a better idea to dispense with the plot and just present the piece as a Hollywood variety show. The acts keep coming and they get better and better; Leonard Gautier's dog act is sublimely surreal, Donald O' Connor and Peggy Ryan combine for some wonderfully physical and comic singing and dancing, The Andrews Sisters serve up sweet, cheeky harmonies in a great medley of their hits, W C Fields enacts some shtick with a billiards table, Carmen Amaya provides some extraordinary Latin heat in flamenco style and Orson Welles and Marlene Dietrich engage in a fabulously kooky magic show. All of these are first rate. If you tune in, as I did, to see a favourite star of the Hollywood silver screen in action, you may be disappointed though. In my case, it was Nigel Bruce, who sadly is just a face in the crowd in this, not even rating a single line of dialogue! That said, for the acts alone this film would rate a 10 but the plot being average brings things down a little. The one surprisingly strong plot aspect that gives this the lie is when a ship carrying Raft is hit by enemy torpedoes and we suddenly realise the importance of the war that has seemed like a backdrop for the majority of the film. This gives us a rather moving finale that adds dimension to the piece.
Review of Follow the Boys
