Although this is a Bing Crosby film, the star of the film is Betty Hutton, as she's in the lion's share of the scenes--mostly because she plays twin sisters and she gets a lot of screen time. As one sister, Susan, she is very goofy and VERY unsubtle (much like her typical screen persona) and as the other, Rosemary, she is much more subtle and believable. Frankly, I felt her character of Susan was just TOO MUCH--and came off poorly. But, I was more impressed by her in the other role.
The film begins with Bing playing a man who is, pretty much, Bing Crosby--though he's named Johnny Cabot. Despite his age (41), he manages to enlist in the Navy--partly out of a desire to serve and partly to get away from his insane female fans. As for Susan and Rosemary, they are also performers and decide to enlist in the Waves (the female branch of the Navy). Susan is thrilled when she hears about Johnny being in the service, she endeavors to do ANYTHING to meet him and become his girlfriend. However, Johnny is NOT insane, so he naturally is not interested in the ditsy and obnoxious Susan but her sister. But, Johnny's 'pal' (Sonny Tufts) is determined to get Rosemary for himself--even if it mean double-crossing Johnny and helping Susan in her insane quest to trap Johnny for herself. The plan is so insane, that Susan poses as her sister and behaves abominably in order to drive a wedge between him and Rosemary! Like most Bing Crosby films, he naturally sings a few numbers--and his character is assigned to sing and dance to recruit ladies to the service. Hutton also sings a few numbers well but I was surprised to hear Tufts singing--particularly because of his very soft and high voice for a guy his size. It wasn't bad--just unexpected. Overall, the film has some cute moments and decent songs and is worth seeing. However, be forewarned--like in Crosby's "Holiday Inn" (1942), he does a horribly offensive black-face number--something that played okay back in the day but which will shock nearly everyone today!
The film begins with Bing playing a man who is, pretty much, Bing Crosby--though he's named Johnny Cabot. Despite his age (41), he manages to enlist in the Navy--partly out of a desire to serve and partly to get away from his insane female fans. As for Susan and Rosemary, they are also performers and decide to enlist in the Waves (the female branch of the Navy). Susan is thrilled when she hears about Johnny being in the service, she endeavors to do ANYTHING to meet him and become his girlfriend. However, Johnny is NOT insane, so he naturally is not interested in the ditsy and obnoxious Susan but her sister. But, Johnny's 'pal' (Sonny Tufts) is determined to get Rosemary for himself--even if it mean double-crossing Johnny and helping Susan in her insane quest to trap Johnny for herself. The plan is so insane, that Susan poses as her sister and behaves abominably in order to drive a wedge between him and Rosemary! Like most Bing Crosby films, he naturally sings a few numbers--and his character is assigned to sing and dance to recruit ladies to the service. Hutton also sings a few numbers well but I was surprised to hear Tufts singing--particularly because of his very soft and high voice for a guy his size. It wasn't bad--just unexpected. Overall, the film has some cute moments and decent songs and is worth seeing. However, be forewarned--like in Crosby's "Holiday Inn" (1942), he does a horribly offensive black-face number--something that played okay back in the day but which will shock nearly everyone today!