Follow the Fleet
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Movie Reviews of Follow the Fleet
Movie Review: Not the best of the Astaire/Rogers movies but still good
Summary: 4 Stars
The style and sophistication that was achieved in movies like: Swing Time, the Gay Divorcee, Top Hat and Shall We Dance is missing in this one, but it's still a must-have for anyone who wants to have a picture of Astaire and Rogers in their heyday.
In a lot of ways, Astaire and Rogers aren't the main focus in the picture and that may be where the picture went wrong. A lot of the focus is on Randolph Scott and the future Harriet Nelson. In a lot of ways, Rogers and Astaire take a back seat to Scott/Nelson.
Nelson is Rogers plain-Jane sister who gets glamourized with the help of a very young Lucille Ball in a very minor role. She falls for Scott, whose a rat. Rogers and Astaire have to put on a show, so Nelson won't lose the bought she bought for Scott. And Nelson gets her man in the end, although why she'd even want him is the question.
Scott's Bilge character is really a very unappealing character with very little redeeming qualities. I couldn't help thinking his character being named Bilge was very appropriate as his character was a human example of bilge water. I also found the Nelson/Scott romance very unappealing.
But as always, Astaire and Rogers make up for the bad spots. And of particular note is the dance to "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is that supposedly. Astaire wanted Rogers not to wear the gown she did in that dance sequence because the beaded sleeve kept hitting him in the face and it hurt, but she refused to change gowns. If you look really closely at the dance, you'll notice when Rogers is twirling around, Astaire holds his head back to prevent being hit in the face with her beaded sleeve.
Think this movie could have been five stars if not for too much focus being on Scott/Nelson and their characters' romance.
Movie Review: Astaire and Rogers back to earth
Summary: 4 Stars
"Follow the Fleet" is the 5th of the Astaire/Rogers films and while not their best, their presence still puts it ahead of most other musicals. The pluses include:
- Rogers returning to her more sassy roots as a spunky nightclub performer. Both her singing and dancing are better than before and she really socks across "Let Yourself Go" with a very pretty Betty Grable as one of a trio of backup singers.
- Astaire having a lot of fun as a gum chewing sailor and demonstrating his spot on comedy timing particularly in a funny scene when he sets up Astrid Allwyn.
- Lucille Ball in a small supporting role as a tough pal of Rogers and showing hints of the comedian she became.
- Harriet Hilliard in the sappy lead, the sort of mindless part which Ruby Keeler played, but singing in her husky voice the haunting "Get Thee Behind Me Satan" memorably.
- the spellbinding classy dance to "Let's Face the Music and Dance", the pinnacle at that point of the Astaire/Rogers duets.
The negatives really are that the plot is dumb, the film too drawn out and Randolph Scott is a really clunky leading man for Hilliard.
The DVD package is quite good. The print is unrestored which is disappointing but the extras include a first rate featurette discussing the film and with Astaire's daughter appearing. There is a musical short from 1936 starring a long forgotten jazz band headed by Jimmie Lunceford. If you like jazz, you will like the short. The theatrical trailer for the film is in poor condition and the cartoon is OK.
All in all, this is a good package but better value if purchased as part of one of the Astaire/Rogers collections.
Movie Review: Not Quite Their Best But Not Bad
Summary: 4 Stars
"Follow the Fleet" differs from the 3 classic Astaire and Rogers films "Swing Time", "Shall We Dance" and "Top Hat" in that the comedy beats usually provided by Victor Moore, Eric Blore, Edward Horton, and Helen Broderick are notiecably absent. In their place is a second melo-dramatic plot line with Harriet Hilliard and Randolph Scott which isnt bad but can't compare to say a scene from "Top Hat" with Edward Horton and Eric Blore and the laughs they get.
So, you can skip over the Scott and Hilliard spots or enjoy the irony of Harriet's "Get Thee Behind Me Satan" number knowing that she will become Harriet in the Ozzie and Harriet early TV sitcom.
The rest of the movie is brilliant Astaire and Rogers, launching one great Irving Berlin song after another. There's Ginger's spicy "Let Yourself Go" delivered in an adorable satin sailor suit, Fred's very funny "We Joined the Navy", and the unforgetable duet and tap number "I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket", a tune you can't get out of your head along with Ginger's goofy and charming playfullness in the tap dance. And of course this movie contains one of Astaire and Roger's most memorable ballroom dance numbers "Let's Face the Music and Dance". This routine alone shows the amazing story telling ability of Astaire's coreography combined with the Roger's powerful but silent emoting while dancing in that fantastic beaded dress. Any serious Astaire and Rogers collector has to get this movie if just for this dance by itself.
Movie Review: One Of My Favorite Astaire-Rogers Films
Summary: 4 Stars
This is one of the best Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers films, or at least one of my favorites. Most of the Fred & Ginger movies feature great dancing but sappy romance stories. This still has the courtship corniness but not as pronounced as the other films.
This movie features not just great dancing but likable characters and a bunch of good songs. The music is the central theme here and what's nice is the addition of a tap solo by Rogers. She not only was a super dancer but a very pretty woman and one with tremendous figure. She dances also with Fred, of course, and they're always a fun pair to watch on the dance floor.
Growing up in the 1950s watching "Ozzie & Harriet" on television, it was a real kick the first time I saw this to see such a young Harriet Hilliard. No surprise than Ozzie fell for this beauty. Although she had that short early '30s hairstyle, I recognized her voice right away.
Also in this movie are quick appearances by Betty Grable and Lucille Ball, but I have to admit that I have yet to out Ball. I can't find her, but I know she's in here.
Astaire, except for some obnoxious gum-chewing in the first third of the film, was fun to watch and Randolph Scott - although better in westerns - is likable, too.
This is simply a nice, feel-good film and good one if you want to to enjoy the great talents of Astaire and Rogers. The DVD transfer is pretty good, too, so there is a lot to like.
Movie Review: Follow Those Wonderful Dance Numbers! (3.5 stars)
Summary: 4 Stars
With Fred/Ginger pairing, I am ready to do something rare - look over the rather uninteresting love story (which has far more screentime than their own) and look forward to the breathtaking dance numbers. And this is nowhere more true than in the 1936 vehicle. Dancing scenes to the music of Irving Berlin are among the best the duo has ever done. "Let Yourself Go" sounds throughout the first half of the movie. Later comes Fred crooning "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket" at the crucial point when one starts to be seriously bored. And the final "Let's Face The Music And Dance" scene with that gorgeous Ginger's gown and all -- the film is well worth watching for the sake of its very end. An essential viewing for dancers... and others!