Follow the Boys (1944)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

A. Edward Sutherland

Writers:

Lou Breslow (original screenplay) and
Gertrude Purcell (original screenplay)

Release Date:

4 December 1944 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | War

Tagline:

Hollywood's Biggest Stars Come Together For A Great Cause!

Plot:

During World War II, all the studios put out "all-star" vehicles which featured virtually every star...

Plot Keywords:

Actor | Hollywood | Japan | Magician | Enemy

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

George Raft	...	Tony West
Vera Zorina	...	Gloria Vance
Jeanette MacDonald	...	Herself - Guest Star
Orson Wells' Mercury Wonder Show	...	Themselves - Guest Stars
Marlene Dietrich	...	Herself - Guest Star
Dinah Shore	...	Herself - Guest Star
Donald O'Connor	...	Himself - Guest Star
Peggy Ryan	...	Herself - Guest Star
W.C. Fields	...	Himself - Guest Star
The Andrews Sisters	...	Themselves - Guest Stars
Artur Rubinstein	...	Himself - Guest Star
Carmen Amaya and Her Company	...	Themselves - Guest Stars
Sophie Tucker	...	Herself - Guest Star
Delta Rhythm Boys	...	Themselves
Leonard Gautier's Bricklayers	...	Themselves

Also Known As:

Three Cheers for the Boys (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

122 min | USA:110 min (edited version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #9986) | Sweden:Btl | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Naval Training Center, San Diego, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Decca Records star Bing Crosby, who did not appear in this film, combined with "The Andrews Sisters" on two "Billboard"-charting songs featured in the score: "Vic'try Polka" (music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sammy Cahn), sung in the picture at the conclusion of a greatest-hits medley by The Andrews Sisters, a number-five "Billboard" tune in 1943; and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't (Ma' Baby)" (music and lyrics by Louis Jordan and Billy Austin), performed in the movie by Mr. Jordan singing with his orchestra, a number-two "Billboard" ditty for Bing and the trio in 1944. On their own, the Andrews Sisters waxed for Decca and then repeated in this film a jivey song of farewell, "Shoo-Shoo" Baby" (music and lyrics by Phil Moore). Between late December 1943 and mid-April 1944, the sister's 78 ranked as high as third spot among the "Billboard"-charting singles. Placing along side was the Ella Mae Morse cut of "Shoo-Shoo Baby" on Capitol. In another musical from Universal, South of Dixie (1944), Ella gave out with her rendition.

Quotes:

W.C. Fields: You can count on me. You can always find me at Little Joe's Cream Puff Emporium.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song (2001)

Soundtrack:

Mad About Him, Sad Without Him, How Can I Be Glad Without Him Blues

Entertainment and WW2

This is a very good movie to see for the entertainers who are really the stars here. Plus you get a real good feel for the organization that went into getting all of the stars to the troops. This is a good look at history from the standpoint of getting to see the stars of the 1940s. Good music too. 7/10