Thursday, June 30, 2022

Two Girls and a Sailor

MGM, 1944
Starring June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven, Van Johnson, and Jimmy Durante
Directed by Richard Thorpe
Music and Lyrics by various

We move north from backwoods Georgia to New York City for our next wartime film. MGM's contributions to the war effort weren't as wacky, but they were just as much fun. June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven made their debuts the year before, mainly appearing in small roles. This would be Allyson's first shot at a major role in a musical. Van Johnson was also one of MGM's up-and-coming actors at this point and was rapidly becoming one of their top hearthrobs, and Tom Drake was fresh off of Meet Me In St. Louis. How do they and Durante manage to fit into a story about two vaudeville singers who start a canteen and fall for the Navy man of the title? Let's begin at the beginning, with family friend Billy Kipp (Durante) taking care of Patsy (Allyson) and Jean (DeHaven) backstage when they were little, and find out...

The Story: When the girls grow up, they start a nightclub act of their own. After they invite a group of sailors to their apartment, they both fall for a handsome sailor named Johnny (Johnson). They wish they could start a canteen as a nightclub for the troops, but they have no money. They're shocked when a gentleman named Mr. Nizby (Donald Meek) hands them the keys to a warehouse they had their eye on and even sends over people to help remodel it. They also find Billy Kipp there; he'd been living there ever since his wife and son left him. 

The canteen is a smashing success, allowing them to hire the best talent and even perform themselves. Jean starts dating Johnny, but Patsy still loves him, too. She throws herself into trying to find out who their mysterious "Somebody" is...and is shocked when she finds out that he's much closer to home than she could have ever guessed.

The Song and Dance: With a story that flimsy, "song and dance" are the operative words here. In addition to one of Durante's signature songs, we get some choice numbers from a top-flight array of MGM talent. Durante actually puts in one of his best performances as the meddling but well-meaning older vaudevillian, and Johnson is charming enough to make you understand how both girls could fall for him. Some nice costumes, too, including the fashion show of 1944 centerfolds for Patsy's "trousseau" in the dream sequence. 

Favorite Number: Durante has some of his best numbers from any of his MGM movies here. He opens with the top hat and cane "Did You Ever Have the Feeling That You Wanted to Go?" and "Who Will Be With Me When I'm Far Away?" in the vaudeville show. The girls's first number is "Sweet and Lovely," spoofing courtship rituals with Allyson in a tuxedo and DeHaven in a blonde wig. They get the ballad "A Love Like Ours" later in the nightclub as they sing about their close relationship. While DeHaven initially gets "My Mother Told Me," it's even better later sung by Johnson, Drake, and Frank Sully as the sailor buddies clean up their room. 

Comedian Ben Blue joins singer Lina Romay for a most lopsided dance to "Thrill of a New Romance" after the canteen opens. Romay and the Wilde Twins joins deadpan O'Brian in admonishing the audience to "Take It Easy." Gracie Allen makes a rare solo appearance playing the piano with one digit in a goofy "Concerto for Index Finger." June Allyson really gets into telling the audience how Harry James is "The Young Man With a Horn." James and Music Makers orchestra also get to perform the swirling "You, Dear" in the sequence where Patsy dreams Johnny changes his mind and wants to marry her. Durante returns near the end for a rousing and hilarious performance of his signature song "Inka Dinka Doo." Lena Horne glides into a sultry version of the hit "Paper Doll." 

Trivia: Gracie Allen's last movie. 

What I Don't Like: Yes, the plot really is that fluffy, and not outrageously so like Something for the Boys. It's basically a silly-sweet romantic comedy holding the numbers together, especially in the second half. This is not the place for someone looking for a meatier story; I have no idea why it was nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Drake is barely there as window dressing, and other than his one number with the guys, is so dull you wonder how Jean ended up with him. This one is all about the numbers. Wish I knew why the girls, both of whom were fine singers, were dubbed for a few numbers. Maybe their voices didn't blend as well as MGM hoped? Also, it's way too long at over two hours. Some of the duller second half probably could have been trimmed. 

The Big Finale: Charming wartime fluff is enjoyable for fans of the stars involved, big band music, or the musicals of the 40's and 50's. 

Home Media: DVD only from the Warner Archives. 

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