"All Hands On Deck" concerns the misadventures of an L.S.T.-class craft, commanded by a choleric, kindly eccentric (energetically played by Dennis O'Keefe — this was his last Hollywood film), and manned by such improbables as a multi-millionaire Chickasaw Indian (amusingly portrayed by that adroit comedian, Buddy Hackett). Pat Boone fits easily into the role of the executive lieutenant. Boone has a pleasantly light touch on this type of entertainment and manages to interpolate four agreeable, if not outstanding, songs. The love story between Boone and Barbara Eden's delightfully natural, comedy heroine provides some laugh-provoking interludes free of the usual screen sentimentality's. The support cast is first-rate, with every member perfectly chosen from Warren Berlinger's green ensign to Pat McCaffrie's lively ship's cook. Veteran director Norman Taurog takes the action at a brisk pace towards the irresistible lunacy of its admiral's inspection. Other production credits are top-drawer, with sparkling color cinematography by Leo Tover, attractive sets and smooth music scoring. In its irreverence towards the U.S. Navy, this frank and funny farce reminds us of British films satirizing the R.N., but this Hollywood production has it all over its British counterparts in one largish item: The makers of All Hands On Deck had obviously unlimited use of a genuine Navy dock-yard and ships! True, it's a predictable farce, somewhat over-boisterously played and none too subtly directed. True also that Buddy Hackett's comedy style seems to be closely modeled on Lou Costello's.
Review of All Hands on Deck
