Patriotic Musicals

 

This Betty Grable photo, with her famous, insured legs, was the biggest pin up during WW2 surpassing the seductive portrait done by Rita Hayworth in 1941. This 1943 photo, by Frank Polowny, was created when Betty was clowning around for the photographer and became a beacon for millions of GI’s. During WW2, musicals became huge box office because it made people forget the horrors of this war. Hollywood cashed in( of course!) with tons of musicals taking place in front of GI’s, on glittering ships with sparkly guns, and flags everywhere. Here are 3 films that invoked the patriotic fervour…

1. STRIKE UP THE BAND-1940

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were a perfect pairing when they were in t(sir late teens/early 20s and became lifelong friends. It’s the 2nd of the “Let’s put on a show” musicals that were huge hits with the American audience, the soldiers overseas and, well, worldwide. Mickey Rooney must have had severe ADHD because he always looks like he is ready to bounce off the walls and his conducting is something less than to be desired. The simple plot is that Mickey wants to put on a show, this time in Chicago in front of the famous band leader Paul Whitman. Things never go smoothly but all is well in the end and these kids never sounded so good.

2. SHIP AHOY-1942

The great Eleanor Powell is, sadly, not very well known today but she was big for a few short years in the early 40s dancing her way to the very top. She can tap dance like no one else and has a very unique style with a strength that just leaves me gobsmacked. In this film, she believes she is helping the allies when she  is hired as a performer on board a cruise ship. Red Skelton plays a writer, with writer’s block, who is also on the cruise ship and comedic mayhem ensues. Soon Powell realizes she was duped by Nazi agents and finds a way to help the true allies by taping in Morse code. It’s a fun film highlighted by Eleanor's dancing. This gal danced as if she was on a battleship with huge guns in the background and, famously, with Fred Astaire in “Begin the Beguine”. Fred was extremely impressed with Eleanor but he felt she danced like a man and I can see that. She does not have that ladylike grace, at least to me. 

3. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY-1942

Of course, I’m going to include this film that stars James Cagney as George M. Cohan, the theatrical giant at the turn of the century into WW1. Cagney played him perfectly including his dancing style and won an Oscar for this energetic role. You get the chance to hear many of his songs that were written with a patriotic flair. This scene hits perfectly with the  feelings of the times. The States just entered WW2 6 months before and this film was to  promote patriotism, give the soldiers something to live for, and have more people enlist. This is a good film even though the patriotic fervour hits you over the head.

I have to add this

This is from Strike Up The Band, a unique interlude, which was created by George Pal. Maybe he took a hit of acid before coming up with this…lol