Hoosier Holiday (1943)
During World War II three brothers go to enlist in the Air Force, but since they're farmers they're told they're needed at home more than in the service. Determined to join up, they enlist the aid of a pretty young girl whose father is head of the local draft board.
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The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
The five Baker boys are farmers with a knack for music. They perform on a local radio show and dispense advice about how to maximize your crops. While they are doing their part to ensure no one goes hungry during the war, what they really want is to join the Air Force, but Fairchild the draftman won't let them and says it is because they are too important as farmers. They believe the real reason is that Fairchild hated their father. When the draftman's five daughters come to town, the Baker boys take up with them, not only because they're beautiful and musically inclined but because it will anger their father, who they hope will then send them far far away-- to war! (A plot like this would NEVER work today, which is what makes it so delightful. Can you imagine anyone having to beg to join the military?) I would have expected most of the music in this movie to put me off as I hate country, but this was jazz with a twangy twist and it was very good! Some of the instruments used were less typical of a big band and reminded me of some of Spike Jones' choices, but it was great fun to hear, and the lovely Music Maids gave great contrast to the dingier Hoosier Hot Shots.