Four Jills in a Jeep
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Movie Reviews of Four Jills in a Jeep
Movie Review: an outstanding movie musical
Summary: 5 Stars
Four Jills in a Jeep tells the true story of how some of America's most talented Hollywood stars risked life and limb to go overseas during Word War Two and entertain the troops. This film is very well done and it works extremely well as a musical. The plot is somewhat thin but of course in a musical it usually is so that's nothing more than a minor quibble. The acting is extremely convincing and the musical numbers came at me so fast and furious that I could never have been bored! The cinematography and the choreography shine and the script was well written, too.
When the action starts, we see a "command performance" radio show being broadcast live to the fighting men overseas. Betty Grable (as herself) sings very well and Kay Francis (also as herself) really shines as the MC for the event. Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra perform wonderfully, too; and that's grand. We also meet the most talented Martha Raye, Carol Landis Mitzi Mayfair, all of whom also play themselves.
Mitzi, Martha and Carol all dream of going overseas to perform in person for the troops; and it isn't long before their leader Kay Francis tells them that they are in fact going! Once there, they are met by their escort Eddie (Phil Silvers, thrown in for some comic relief) and they perform in various places including London and North Africa even though in North Africa they're rather close to the front.
Of course, to round out the picture there's some light-hearted romance that functions as a weak but enjoyable subplot. We see Carol falling in love with Ted Warren (John Harvey); and Mitzi has a mixed result when she accidentally bumps into her old show business partner Lt. Dick Ryan (Dick Haymes).
The plot can go anywhere from here--and I'm not about to spoil it for you! Look also for good, solid performances by Carmen Miranda and Alice Faye (who also appear as themselves) and George Jessel plays himself as the MC of another "command performance" radio show while the ladies are overseas.
The DVD comes with deleted scenes, a restoration comparison, an optional isolated score track and another featurette entitled "The Real Four Jills." Excellent!
Four Jills in a Jeep is one of the best musicals I've ever seen from 20th Century Fox Studios; and the actors in this film give nothing but their best--it's very entertaining and it moves me to know that Hollywood stars gave so much at a very trying time despite the fact that no one ever forced them to travel overseas to where the troops were fighting. I highly recommend this film for fans of the actors in it; and people who enjoy classic movie musicals would do well to add this to their collections.
Movie Review: Carole's Real Life Love Story Onscreen
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely love this movie!!! Carole Landis is my aunt so I would probably enjoy seeing her in anything but I think Four Jills In A Jeep is her best work. First of all she is playing herself AND she wrote the book the film is based on. Carole spent almost four years of her life traveling around the world entertaining the troops. She was a true American hero and on several occasions she almost lost her life. Now I understand that this is Hollywood's version of World War 2 and unfortunately the movie is not always true to life. It's still a treat to see Carole onscreen with her dear friends Kay Francis, Martha Raye, and Mitzi Mayfair. The best part of the movie is that we get to be a part of Carole's real life romance with Major Tommy Wallace (played by the very handsome John Harvey). Their whirlwind love affair is the heart of the movie and makes you wish they lived happily ever after in real life too. Carole never looked better than she did in Four Jills In A Jeep. Thank goodness she was back to blonde after several years as brunette. There are a bunch great songs and musical numbers. My fave is Carole's fabulous rendition of Crazy Me. She could really sing. I could watch this movie a million times and never get tired of it :-) :-) :-)Movie Review: Quality.Service, Safety
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the DVD 'four Jills in A Jeep" with some trepidation as I hate giving bankcard details on the internet but all is well so far.
The DVD is as promised 'new' and sealed/ I had to alter my 'zone"(?) to play it on my PC but had no difficulty with my DVD player. The quality - despite the years - is very good. Even the sound has 'travelled' better than I had expected. The service from the supplier was excellent and well within the time specified despite the Christmas break. Thank you. Now if only you could find more of the Dick Haymes movies !!! William Bourke
Movie Review: Pretty Funny
Summary: 5 Stars
It was a great one to see. I loved it how there is history behind it and it wasn't overly done in musicals.Movie Review: A USO Tour right before your eyes!
Summary: 4 Stars
This 1944 film starring Kay Francis,Martha Raye,Mitzi Mayfair and Carole Landis starts off on the slow side but you quickly get caught up in the action and you soon feel like you are sitting in on a real live USO show during WW2!And I think that's just what the producers wanted to convey.
The story is based roughly on the real life USO exploits of its' leading ladies.Phil Silvers does a nice,funny turn as the sergeant that is detailed to escort the ladies from one USO show to the other.The girls start out stateside but eventually get send over to England.Always eager to go that one step further "for the boys" Martha Raye lets it slip to a general that she and the girls desperately want to get to the front lines to entertain the boys.When the transfer actually comes through to North Africa,much to everyone's shock,the girls bravely trod on remembering all the while who it's for.They get to the frontlines and entertain under some spartan circumstances,even enduring a German bombing raid.Through the film Carole Landis and Mitzi Mayfair fall in love.Landis with a flyboy and Mayfair with her ex entertaining partner who is none other than crooner Dick Haymes,who magically crops up at every venue they play(!).Dick had a fantatsic voice and he is seen to great effect here with the three romantic numbers he sings.Besides Dick and the girls singing and dancing,we hear/see a broadcast from Hollywood with master of ceremonies George Jessel.He introduces Betty Grable,Alice Faye and the irrepressable Carmen Miranda,the Brazillian Bombshell.Throughout,the Jimmy Dorsey bigband is on hand to provide the musical kicks.Jimmy shows off his prowess on clarinet and sax(alto and tenor) while his band gives us some reet and sweet notes to savour.Solid senders all.
Like many of Fox's products and re-releases of their 1940s product of late,this one is no exception.They have gone the whole hog and completely restored this film and it is absolutely beautiful to watch.Totally clear and crisp.Included with the film are some bonus features which include a short featurette on the leading ladies,stills gallery,some wonderful deleted scenes with extra numbers by the girls and Carmen Miranda and an isolated audio track of the film.
A film of its' time?....sure is.But if you're like me you will quickly feel you are watching a real WW2 USO show,unravelling right before your very eyes! This one's for the boys!
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