Best Foot Forward (1943)

Director:

Edward Buzzell

Writers:

John Cecil Holm (book)
Irving Brecher (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

8 October 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Musical | Comedy

Plot:

Bud Hooper, a cadet at Winsocki Military Academy, sends an invitation to movie star Lucille Ball to come to Winsocki's big dance...

Plot Keywords:

Military Academy | Actress | Reporter | Pennsylvania | Prom

Cast

Lucille Ball	...	Lucille Ball
William Gaxton	...	Jack O'Riley
Virginia Weidler	...	Helen Schlesinger
Tommy Dix	...	Bud Hooper
Nancy Walker	...	Nancy - Blind Date
June Allyson	...	Ethel
Kenny Bowers	...	Dutch Miller
Gloria DeHaven	...	Minerva
Jack Jordan	...	Hunk
Beverly Tyler	...	Miss Delaware Water Gap, Vocalist
Chill Wills	...	Chester Short
Henry O'Neill	...	Major Reeber
Sara Haden	...	Miss Talbert
Donald MacBride	...	Captain Bradd
Bob Stebbins	...	Greenie (as Bobby Stebbins)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #9191) | Sweden:Btl | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

St. John's Military Academy - 1101 North Genesee Street, Delafield, Wisconsin, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 1 October 1941 and had 326 performances. The opening night cast included Nancy Walker, who originated her movie role in the play, and June Allyson, Kenny Bowers, Tommy Dix, Jack Jordan and Stanley Donen, all of whom are also in this film but with different roles; and Rosemary Lane. Gil Stratton was brought out to Hollywood at the same time but appeared in Girl Crazy (1943) instead, although some say he had a small role in this film. A 1963 off-Broadway revival starred Liza Minnelli.

Goofs:

Continuity: June Allyson is credited onscreen as Minerva and Gloria DeHaven as Ethel. However, Allyson is called Ethel and DeHaven is called Minerva and 'Min' in the film.

Movie Connections:

Featured in That's Entertainment! III (1994)

Soundtrack:

What Do You Think I Am?

Delightful farce, full of laughs!

Based upon the 1941 Broadway musical, I found this to be a fun,charming, and well written screenplay that entertains from beginning to end. Although not her best film, Lucille Ball is more than adequate playing herself in this early teen romp. June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven, Virginia Weidler, Beverly Tyler, and Sara Haden are great as the quirky,loud-mouthed, obnoxious teenagers hell-bent on ruining Lucy's night at the prom. But, this film is completely and utterly stolen by Nancy Walker as the way-over-the-top "Blind Date" girl. She is hilarious, and talented in this, her 1943 film debut. Her comedic genius is in full view in this film for which she should have received an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress, but did not. Tommy Dix does a fine job as the star cadet the screenplay revolves around, and Harry James' music is more-than-worth watching the movie. When combined together, the above make this film a worthwhile watch; your belly will hurt from the hearty laughs you will emit!