I have mixed feelings about this film. As an Abbott & Costello outing, it's darned good. As funny as probably any of their films, with one of my favorite bits -- the math problem. It gets sorta silly toward the end, but that's what Abbott & Costello are supposed to be.
So what are my reservations? The use here of Dick Powell. Powell here is relegated to an almost minor supporting actor. Yes, he has a couple of decent songs, but his screen time is pretty brief overall. I would have rewritten the script substantially to eliminate Powell all together, and utilize Dick Foran, who was a good enough singer to handle the songs here. If I had been Powell, I would have been pretty unhappy about this casting.
So for Abbott & Costello0 fans, you'll be quite pleased with this film...and in that regard, so am I. If you're a Dick Powell fan, you're not going to be a happy camper.
Getting better treatment are the Andrews Sisters, who have several good numbers, and Patty is Lou Costello's love interest here. They shine.
In general, this is a fairly standard service comedy. Lots of silly hi-jinks on a ship, including a very funny dream action sequence which nearly sunk the Navy's cooperation in making the film.
As usual, Lou Costello carries the comedy here, with Bud Abbott pretty much just providing the straight lines, although Abbott is very good in the shell game sequence.
One of the better Abbott & Costello efforts.
So what are my reservations? The use here of Dick Powell. Powell here is relegated to an almost minor supporting actor. Yes, he has a couple of decent songs, but his screen time is pretty brief overall. I would have rewritten the script substantially to eliminate Powell all together, and utilize Dick Foran, who was a good enough singer to handle the songs here. If I had been Powell, I would have been pretty unhappy about this casting.
So for Abbott & Costello0 fans, you'll be quite pleased with this film...and in that regard, so am I. If you're a Dick Powell fan, you're not going to be a happy camper.
Getting better treatment are the Andrews Sisters, who have several good numbers, and Patty is Lou Costello's love interest here. They shine.
In general, this is a fairly standard service comedy. Lots of silly hi-jinks on a ship, including a very funny dream action sequence which nearly sunk the Navy's cooperation in making the film.
As usual, Lou Costello carries the comedy here, with Bud Abbott pretty much just providing the straight lines, although Abbott is very good in the shell game sequence.
One of the better Abbott & Costello efforts.