In the Navy

Buy This Item In the Navy by Universal Studios  Available from Amazon  $14.98  on 8-11-2008     After the huge success of <I>Buck Privates</I> (cleverly referenced in a spoofing credits sequence), Abbott and Costello traded army green for navy blue to play landlocked gobs sent to sea after six years in the service. The actual story belongs to Dick Powell, who plays a radio crooner who has ditched fame and fawning fans for the sailor's life, while an ambitious female reporter (Claire Dodd) shadows the singer and stows aboard his battleship to expose his secret. Meanwhile Bud Abbott continues to con the ever-gullible Lou Costello, and Costello woos Patty from the Andrews Sisters. Director Arthur Lubin overcomes bargain-basement production values (rear projection footage, toy boat special effects) with the snappy repartee and energetic by-play of his stars. Skit highlights include a typically crooked Bud Abbott shell game, a hysterical series of spit-gags (in which the boys keep cracking up on camera), Costello's mathematical proof that 7 times 13 equals 28, and the climactic toy boat fantasy of naval maneuvers gone mad, courtesy of Captain Costello. The Andrews Sisters sing four songs (including "Gimme Some Skin"), Dick Powell sings two, and the Condos brothers perform a delightful dance specialty act. The boys would once again overcome Lubin's lackluster direction in their next release, <I>Hold That Ghost</I>, which was actually shot before this film. <I>--Sean Axmaker</I> Reader Reviews This film is dedicated to the US Navy personnel at the San Diego and San Pedro naval bases. America depends on the enlisted personnel to guard the shores. Russ Raymond is a popular singer who disappears from public sight. Pomeroy has a letter to deliver, Smoky helps him out. A reporter gets an interview with Tom Halstead. There are the comic skits that made them famous, such as the gambling scheme with lemons under a cup. The Andrews Sisters show their singing that made them popular. After a fight Pomeroy will be transferred to the battleship `Alabama' and sent to Hawaii as punishment. Pomeroy battles his hammock. There is entertainment on deck. Two men show their tap dancing skills. Tom Halstead sings. Crossing the equator results in a special initiation that is one of the funniest skits in this film. Pomeroy explains how 28 doughnuts will provide 13 servings for 7 officers. Later Pomeroy delivers breakfast to the captain. Is there a problem? Can Pomeroy demonstrate the maneuverability of this battleship? Will there be some lucky break in this nightmare? The film ends with singing and dancing in those happy times. Soon things in Hawaii will change and America will never be the same.

In the Navy Available from Amazon Price: $14.98 Updated on 8-11-2008.

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