Follow the Boys (1944 film): Difference between revisions
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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Tony West performs on vaudeville in a group with his father, Nick and sister Kitty, The decline of vaudeville forces the group to split up and Tony goes to Hollywood to try to make it in movies. He works at Universal Pictures, where he becomes screen partners with, and then the husband of, star Gloria Vance. |
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Tony West, a former vaudevillian, puts on a show for the troops. |
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When World War Two breaks out, Tony tries to enlist but is refused because of his knee. Tony finds imself organising the Hollywood Victory Committee (H.V.C.), a consortium of motion picture, theatrical and radio personalities dedicated to help the war effort. |
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He puts on a show that includes performances from Donald O'Connor and Jeannette MacDonald. |
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Tony and Gloria have a big fight and he goes overseas. Tony is killed during an attack by a Japanese submarine. Gloria takes Tony's place entertaining the troops. |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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* [[George Raft]] as Tony West |
* [[George Raft]] as Tony West |
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Revision as of 04:43, 2 August 2017
| Follow the Boys | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | A. Edward Sutherland |
| Written by | Lou Breslow Gertrude Purcell |
| Produced by | Charles K. Feldman |
| Starring | George Raft Vera Zorina |
| Cinematography | David Abel |
| Edited by | Fred R. Feitshans Jr. |
| Music by | Fred E. Ahlert Billy Austin Dick Charles Kermit Goell Leigh Harline Inez James Louis Jordan Larry Markes Jimmy McHugh Phil Moore Buddy Pepper Frank Skinner Roy Turk Oliver Wallace |
Production company | Chas. K. Feldman Group Productions |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2 million[1] |
Follow the Boys also known as Three Cheers for the Boys is a 1944 musical film made by Universal Pictures during World War II as an all-star cast morale booster to entertain the troops abroad and the civilians at home. The film was directed by A. Edward "Eddie" Sutherland and produced by Charles K. Feldman. The movie stars George Raft and features Vera Zorina, Grace McDonald, Charles Grapewin, Regis Toomey and George Macready.
Making appearances are Walter Abel, Carmen Amaya, The Andrews Sisters, Evelyn Ankers, Louise Beavers, Noah Beery, Jr., Turhan Bey, Steve Brodie, Nigel Bruce, Lon Chaney, Jr., the Delta Rhythm Boys, Andy Devine, Marlene Dietrich, W. C. Fields, Susanna Foster, Thomas Gomez, Louis Jordan and His Orchestra, Ted Lewis and His Band, Jeanette MacDonald, Maria Montez,[2] Clarence Muse, Donald O'Connor, Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom, Artur Rubinstein, Peggy Ryan, Randolph Scott, Dinah Shore, Freddie Slack and His Orchestra, Gale Sondergaard, Sophie Tucker, Orson Welles, among many others.
Plot
Tony West performs on vaudeville in a group with his father, Nick and sister Kitty, The decline of vaudeville forces the group to split up and Tony goes to Hollywood to try to make it in movies. He works at Universal Pictures, where he becomes screen partners with, and then the husband of, star Gloria Vance.
When World War Two breaks out, Tony tries to enlist but is refused because of his knee. Tony finds imself organising the Hollywood Victory Committee (H.V.C.), a consortium of motion picture, theatrical and radio personalities dedicated to help the war effort.
He puts on a show that includes performances from Donald O'Connor and Jeannette MacDonald.
Tony and Gloria have a big fight and he goes overseas. Tony is killed during an attack by a Japanese submarine. Gloria takes Tony's place entertaining the troops.
Cast
- George Raft as Tony West
- Vera Zorina as Gloria Vance
- Charles Grapewin as Nick West
- Grace McDonald as Kitty
- Charles Butterworth as Louie West
- George Macready as Bruce
- Elizabeth Patterson as Annie
- Theodore von Eltz as Barrett
- Regis Toomey as Doctor Henderson
- Ramsay Ames as Laura
- Spooks as Junior
- And Molly Lamont, Doris Lloyd, Nelson Leigh, Lane Chandler, Cyril Ring, Emmett Vogan, Addison Richards, Stanley Andrews, Frank Jenks, Ralph Dunn, Billy Benedict, Howard C. Hickman, Edwin Stanley, Wallis Clark, Richard Crane, Frank Wilcox, Clyde Cook, Bobby Barber, Walter Tetley, Anthony Warde, William Forrest, Dennis Moore, Duke York, Carlyle Blackwell, Edwin Stanley, Charles King[3]
Production
The film was announced in June 1943. It was produced by Charles K. Feldman and was inspired by the success of Stage Door Canteen at Warner Bros. The original title was Three Cheers for the Boys.[4] George Raft signed in July 1943.[5]
The cast featured several Universal contract stars, including Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan, as well as some actors who had just recently made films for Universal, such as Raft and Marlene Dietrich.
The film was shot at the Naval Training Center San Diego.[1]
It was WC Fields' first movie since 1941. He performs an old pool playing job he first developed in vaudeville in 1903.[6]
Accolades
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
- 2004: AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs:
- "I'll Walk Alone" – Nominated[7]
Home media
- 1994: MCA Home Video, VHS (80594), ISBN 0-7832-1096-5, 1994
See also
References
- ^ a b Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 109
- ^ Follow the Boys at Maria Montez Fan Page
- ^ Deschner, Donald (1966). The Films of W.C. Fields. New York: Cadillac Publishing by arrangement with The Citadel Press. p. 164. Introduction by Arthur Knight
- ^ pecial to THE NEW,YORK TIMES. (1943, Jun 14). SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/106592047?accountid=13902
- ^ Special to THE NEW,YORK TIMES. (1943, Jul 16). Russell wade, former extra at RKO, gets his first lead in 'ghost ship' -- two films open today. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/106710185?accountid=13902
- ^ THE GREAT MAN IS BACK. (1944, Apr 02). New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/106794234?accountid=13902
- ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-07-30.