Follow the Fleet (1936)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Writers:

Hubert Osborne (play)
Allan Scott (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 February 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

In the Super-Dreadnought of Musical Shows

Plot:

A Navy sailor tries to rekindle a romance with the woman he loves while on shore leave in San Francisco.

Plot Keywords:

Sailor | Dancing | Navy | Dance Hall | San Francisco California

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Fred Astaire	...	Bake Baker
Ginger Rogers	...	Sherry Martin
Randolph Scott	...	Bilge Smith
Harriet Hilliard	...	Connie Martin
Astrid Allwyn	...	Mrs. Iris Manning
Betty Grable	...	Trio Singer
Harry Beresford	...	Captain Hickey
Russell Hicks	...	Jim Nolan
Brooks Benedict	...	David Sullivan
Ray Mayer	...	Dopey Williams
Lucille Ball	...	Kitty Collins

Runtime:

110 min | USA:80 min (re-release)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #1801) | Finland:K-16 | UK:U

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

At the time of production, the Golden Gate Bridge was still under construction, so we see a night shot of the fleet sailing out through the Golden Gate between the towers of the bridge, but the deck isn't in place yet.

Quotes:

Bake Baker: I don't often try to apologize 'cause I seldom make any mistakes.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Fred Astaire: Puttin' on His Top Hat (1980) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Let Yourself Go

One Of My Favorite Astaire-Rogers Films

This is one of the best Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers films, or at least one of my favorites. Most of the A-R movies feature great dancing but sappy romance stories. This still has the courtship corniness but not as pronounced as the other films.

This movie features not just great dancing but likable characters and a bunch of good songs. The music is the central theme here and what's nice is the addition of a tap solo by Rogers. She not only was a super dancer but a very pretty woman and one with tremendous figure. She dances also with Fred, of course, and they're always a fun pair to watch on the dance floor.

Growing up in the 1950s watching "Ozzie & Harriet" on television, it was a real kick the first time I saw this to see such a young Harriet Hilliard. No surprise than Ozzie fell for this beauty. Although she had that short early '30s hairstyle, I recognized her voice right away. Also in this movie are quick appearances by Betty Grable and Lucille Ball, but I have to admit that I have yet to out Ball. I can't find her, but I know she's in here.

Astaire, except for some obnoxious gum-chewing in the first third of the film, was fun to watch and Randolph Scott - although better in westerns - is likable, too.

This is simply a nice, feel-good film and good one if you want to to enjoy the great talents of Astaire and Rogers.