Follow the Fleet (1936)

You won't be disappointed!

Simply Perfect

hyped garbage

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Copyright 20 February 1936 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at Radio City Music Hall: 20 February 1936. U.K. release: 24 April 1936. Australian release: 2 June 1936. 110 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Sailor meets up with former dancing partner in a dime-a- dance ballroom. NOTES: Negative cost: $747,000. Initial domestic rental gross: $1,782,000. Initial foreign rental gross: $1,175,000. Net profit after deducting advertising, print and distribution costs: $945,000.According to Maurice Zuberano, the Astaire-Rogers RKO pictures were designed by Charles Ullman and Alan Abbott. Commencing with "Follow the Fleet", Zuberano also worked on the set design. Ginger Rogers designed some of her own costumes, including the ostrich-feathered one she wore in the "Cheek to Cheek" number in "Top Hat". Hermes Pan worked with Astaire on all his RKO films commencing with "Flying Down To Rio". His job was to assist Fred with choreography, stand in for Ginger while the initial steps were worked out, teach Ginger the steps when she finally reported (she was a quick study) and then supervise the camera movement during the dance numbers while they were actually being filmed. Abel was notorious for over-lighting his sets. Zuberano managed to get him to shoot in a lower key for Follow the Fleet's climactic dance. The play opened on Broadway on 8 August 1922 at the Lyceum and ran for 152 performances. Frances Starr played Connie, James Rennie was Bilge Smith. David Belasco produced and directed. Shore Leave was filmed under that title by director John S. Robertson in 1925. Richard Barthelmess starred as Bilge Smith opposite Dorothy Mackaill's Connie Martin. In 1927 the play re-appeared on Broadway as a Vincent Youmans musical "Hit the Deck" starring Charles King, Louise Groody and Brian Donlevy. This musical version first hit the screen in 1930 with Jack Oakie and Polly Walker directed by Luther Reed for RKO. It again surfaced in 1955 as an MGM musical with Tony Martin (who has a small, hard-to-spot role in this version) finally in the lead. RKO's top box office attraction of the 1935-36 season. COMMENT: A feast for Astaire-Rogers fans, both of whom are in especially fine form. The support cast is unusually strong, though Betty Grable fans will not find much cause for joy in their idol's 30-second spot as the center of a singing trio who supply the rhythm for one of Ginger's songs. Although billed last, Lucie Ball has a much larger role, though her glamour is toned down by a costume of hideous garishness. Miss Hilliard makes a rather pallid sub-heroine, but Astrid Allwyn makes the most of her unusually meaty part as the seductive Mrs. Manning. The plot itself is slight but it is dressed up with some amusing wisecracks and serves to showcase some delightful musical numbers. The one I like best of these is the finale against the Monte Carlo set of startling simplicity and attractiveness. The orchestration is superlative and the sound recording terrific.

This film epitomises happiness and touches ones heart. I am so grateful these films were created with such wonderful actors who actually had talent. One of the highlights (for me anyway) of this film is Harriet Hilliards "And where are you" rendition. Just sheer beauty. I do not actually have any words to express how this song touched me and many others I am sure.I recommend this film to everyone and to those who are fed up with these non talentless and dire times we live in. Revel in the wonder and magic of what was and of actors and musicians and directors who actually had endless talent. I thank them for leaving us a big piece of joy to enjoy forever.

The dancer Bake Baker (Fred Astaire) has joined the navy to forget his former partner and love Sherry Martin (Ginger Rogers) that has declined to marry him, but he misses her. Now his ship is anchored in San Francisco and he goes with his pal, the sergeant Bilge Smith (Randolph Scott), to the Paradise nightclub.Meanwhile at Paradise, the intellectual teacher Connie Martin (Harriet Hilliard), who has just come from Bellport, visits her sister Sherry that is working there and she stumbles with Bilge at the entrance. She goes to Sherry's dress room and her sister produces Connie with a new dress and make-up, changing her old-fashioned style to a modern look. Sherry meets Bake in the joint and they rekindle their love, and Bake decides to get a better job for Sherry. Meanwhile Connie is infatuated with Bilge, but he is not ready to commit to marriage.When Bake returns to the vessel, he is ordered to sail and leaves Sherry unemployed without any notice. Meanwhile Connie repairs a salvage to give her to Bilge after their wedding. However, Bilge is dating the divorced and wealthy Mrs. Iris Manning (Astrid Allwyn) and is not ready to settle down. When Sherry has an audition with New York theatrical producer Jim Nolan (Russell Hicks) and is ready to sign a contract with him, Bake arrives in the office and overhears that a girl will sign a contract with Nolan without knowing that she is Sherry. He decides to sabotage her audition with bicarbonate soda. But sooner their misunderstandings resolve and they dance together again.Like most of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films, "Follow the Fleet" is sappy, naive and delightful. The story is a silly romance, but supported by funny gags and wonderful musical numbers.The blonde Harriet Hilliard makes fun with blondes in her debut in a feature. The sabotage of Bake Baker with bicarbonate soda is hilarious. And Bake Baker luring Mrs. Manning and Bilge Smith in her apartment is also very funny. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Nas Águas da Esquadra" ("In the Fleet's Waters")

....but it all ends well! Bake (Fred Astaire) and Bilge (Randolph Scott) belong to the US navy. At the end of the film, they don't........Let me start with something that didn't need to happen - the extra story time given to Connie (Harriet Hilliard). The film could have survived with Bake and Sherry (Ginger Rogers) carrying the story. Hilliard is a bit of a soppy, wet fish. And as for Randolph Scott.....my goodness me. How's this for an intro to a girl you like - "Hey, babe..."....what class! The film goes on for a little too long but the songs and dances are all good value.