After what I consider a most disappointing storyline to the previous Astaire/Rogers film 'Top Hat' a more pallet able story was cooked up for the next in the series entitled 'Follow The Fleet' about two sisters played by Ginger Rogers and Harriet Nelson (Nee Hilliard)and their love and lives as they focus around two sailors played by Fred Astaire and Randolph Scott.
Fred and Ginger play Sherry and Bake, one-time lovers and showbiz dance act before he left to join the Navy after his marriage proposal was spurned. They accidentally meet when Astaire and shore leave buddies visit the nightclub in which Sherry works. Almost immediately he ruins any possible reunion by opening his mouth to the wrong person causing Sherry to lose her job. He promises to speak to a theatrical agent the first thing in the morning and guarantees her a better job, however when the fleet is given immediate sailing orders, he unintentionally leaves Sherry high and dry.
Hilliard plays Sherry's sister Connie, a prim and proper school teacher who craves excitement and the love of sailor Bilge Smith played by Scott, the two having met on the same nights shore leave, which coincidentally is the same night she finally ditched her dowdy specs and turned on the sensual chic. Yet when Bilge realises Connie has more than just playful fun on her mind he soon ditches her for a wealthy socialite.
I suppose the story is styled very much like 'Roberta' as it basically two plots running consecutively the Scott/Hilliard love story, and the Astaire/Rogers routines.
However whereas in 'Roberta' Astaire and Rogers were pretty much demoted to support players with the majority of the action devoted to the Randolph Scott storyline, In 'Follow the Fleet' Astaire and Rogers are given top billing and equal, if not more screen time than Scott and Hilliard.
Some great routines and songs here but none really surpass the great 'Lets Face the Music and Dance' number, added with the sole intention that Fred be allowed to ditch the sailor outfit and the gum chewing, and become Mr. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails once more.
It was also great to see Fred play piano as he was a really good pianist.
Although everyone knows and looks out for young cameo appearances from Betty Grable and Lucille Ball, even less people know, that a 24 year old Tony Martin made his screen debut in this film as an uncredited sailor, who can be seen over Fred's shoulder as he purchases dance tickets in the Paradise club scene. Indeed I did not know this myself until Ava Astaire pointed it out in the DVD special features.
I've been watching this film for over twenty years and I never knew that....you learn something new every day after all.
Fred and Ginger play Sherry and Bake, one-time lovers and showbiz dance act before he left to join the Navy after his marriage proposal was spurned. They accidentally meet when Astaire and shore leave buddies visit the nightclub in which Sherry works. Almost immediately he ruins any possible reunion by opening his mouth to the wrong person causing Sherry to lose her job. He promises to speak to a theatrical agent the first thing in the morning and guarantees her a better job, however when the fleet is given immediate sailing orders, he unintentionally leaves Sherry high and dry.
Hilliard plays Sherry's sister Connie, a prim and proper school teacher who craves excitement and the love of sailor Bilge Smith played by Scott, the two having met on the same nights shore leave, which coincidentally is the same night she finally ditched her dowdy specs and turned on the sensual chic. Yet when Bilge realises Connie has more than just playful fun on her mind he soon ditches her for a wealthy socialite.
I suppose the story is styled very much like 'Roberta' as it basically two plots running consecutively the Scott/Hilliard love story, and the Astaire/Rogers routines.
However whereas in 'Roberta' Astaire and Rogers were pretty much demoted to support players with the majority of the action devoted to the Randolph Scott storyline, In 'Follow the Fleet' Astaire and Rogers are given top billing and equal, if not more screen time than Scott and Hilliard.
Some great routines and songs here but none really surpass the great 'Lets Face the Music and Dance' number, added with the sole intention that Fred be allowed to ditch the sailor outfit and the gum chewing, and become Mr. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails once more.
It was also great to see Fred play piano as he was a really good pianist.
Although everyone knows and looks out for young cameo appearances from Betty Grable and Lucille Ball, even less people know, that a 24 year old Tony Martin made his screen debut in this film as an uncredited sailor, who can be seen over Fred's shoulder as he purchases dance tickets in the Paradise club scene. Indeed I did not know this myself until Ava Astaire pointed it out in the DVD special features.
I've been watching this film for over twenty years and I never knew that....you learn something new every day after all.