'Follow the Fleet' came as the second half of a 2-movie DVD. I'd not seen it in decades but was mystified by the box notes which indicated a running time of 93 minutes. According to my player, it was the full 110-minute version. 'Follow the Fleet' was one of RKO's top box office hits of 1936, along with 'Swing Time'. As the titles appeared, I sat back to enjoy what I expected to be a memorable movie.
Disappointment is my enduring memory. Though Fred and Ginger are fine and do a couple of good numbers, 'Let Yourself Go' and 'Let's Face the Music and Dance', there are, in addition to some forgettable tunes, a number of dead spots where the camera seems to linger for no good reason, usually when on board the boys' ship. The character Fred plays isn't particular endearing, nor is this one of Fred's better performances. Fred may not be up to his best, but he runs rings around Randolph Scott who seems stiff and out of his depth. Harriet Hilliard (ne Nelson) is a plus, playing a character very similar (in appearance) to the one Ruby Keeler played in '42nd Street'. Otherwise, the supporting cast isn't up to the usual standard of Fred and Ginger's better efforts.
One point among many in favour of DVDs is the ability to sector the movie. So it's possible to bookmark the songs and forget about the rest. :)
Disappointment is my enduring memory. Though Fred and Ginger are fine and do a couple of good numbers, 'Let Yourself Go' and 'Let's Face the Music and Dance', there are, in addition to some forgettable tunes, a number of dead spots where the camera seems to linger for no good reason, usually when on board the boys' ship. The character Fred plays isn't particular endearing, nor is this one of Fred's better performances. Fred may not be up to his best, but he runs rings around Randolph Scott who seems stiff and out of his depth. Harriet Hilliard (ne Nelson) is a plus, playing a character very similar (in appearance) to the one Ruby Keeler played in '42nd Street'. Otherwise, the supporting cast isn't up to the usual standard of Fred and Ginger's better efforts.
One point among many in favour of DVDs is the ability to sector the movie. So it's possible to bookmark the songs and forget about the rest. :)