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Best Foot Forward
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by MGM (Warner)
Sales Rank: 18827
Price: $19.98
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There's an endless supply of energy in this sweet-natured musical comedy, for the most part based closely on the 1941 Broadway musical choreographed by Gene Kelly and starring several of the performers (June Allyson, Nancy Walker, Gloria DeHaven, and future director Stanley Donen among them) found in this film. Lucille Ball (who was not part of the stage version) plays herself against an unlikely backdrop: a military academy full of frisky boys. Ball is the reluctant guest of a diminutive cadet, Bud Hooper (Tommy Dix), who wrote her a mash note and invitation to be his date at a school prom. Ball's publicity man (William Gaxton) seizes upon the situation as a perfect PR stunt and convinces her to travel 3,000 miles to join Hooper at Winsocki Military Academy's dance. When Ball actually shows up, mayhem ensues: Hooper, who never dreamed she would accept, has to disinvite his girlfriend, Helen (Virginia Weidler), and ask Ball to pretend to be her lest the actress herself not pass muster with the institution's screening committee. Helen fights back while Hooper tries to keep Ball from the clutches of other cadets who'd like to, say, take the famous redhead for a walk in the moonlight. Meanwhile, Harry James and his orchestra let loose with "The Flight of the Bumblebee," and the cast hoof and sing their way through such fun numbers as "Three Men on a Date," Alive and Kickin'," and "What Do You Think I Am?" Music and lyrics are by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Edward Buzzell (<I>Go West</I>, <I>At the Circus</I>) directs. <I>--Tom Keogh</I>
Viewer Reviews
Best Foot Forward is a pleasant diversion to watch even still today.It was originally a successful Broadway play which MGM got the rights to and filmed in colour.
The movie was definitely aimed at a teenage audience to inspire them to get into the military swing of things,you might say.It concerns three young cadet sergeants and their girls.There is an up coming prom with the neighbouring girls school but one of the sergeants has written to Lucille Ball who has unexpectedly accepted his invitation to attend the prom with him.Now he has the task of trying to keep his girl from finding out AND attending the prom.To top things off Lucille Ball,due to academy rules,can only go with him under his girlfriends' name! And she's only there at her managers' insistence,to get publicity! His girlfriend eventually finds out,and boy falls out with girl,mayhem ensues but alls well that ends well.
The plot is nothing special and the script could/should have been much better.Instead alot of the lines are plain,trite and miss the mark much too often.Lucille Ball unfortunately gives her best but just isn't given enough of signifigance to say or do.
However there are two elements that save the movie.The first is Nancy Walker who does a terrific turn as a smart alecky debutante.She provides the film with the majority of its' laughs.
The second is Harry James.I have always considered him to be the greatest trumpet player of the 20th century and this movie provides more than ample proof,and all within two numbers.The first is "Two O'Clock Jump",one of his big hits and a real great jump tune.The second is "Flight of the Bumblebee".There are no adjectives that I could use to adequately describe the fingerwork and technique on this number.It was astonishing to watch in /43 and is STILL a wonder to this day.He even does a duet dance number with Nancy Walker.And all this in colour!
And speaking of colour.This print generally is very good.There are a couple of short cut scenes that appear a little out of focus but other than that it looks like it was filmed yesterday.
To recap; Best Foot Forward while "OSCAR caliber" is NOT one of its' attributes,and while it is a film very much of its' time,it is still a very plesant diversion.It is in crisp colour and Lucille Ball fans will find a nice spot for it in their library I'm sure.Also to watch out for is a young Gloria De Haven and June Allyson.Nancy Walker is the comic standout and Harry James rounds things out beautifully in the music department with his peerless horn playing.
I might also add that the soundtrack is still available,but not for long.It is made by Rhino records in a very limited addition CD.Only 2500 copies have been pressed in all so may I suggest if you like the numbers in this movie you will love the CD also.
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Best Foot Forward
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