Simply A Masterpiece

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Awesome Movie

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

About one hour and thirty minutes into "Follow the Fleet", there's a musical sequence that deserves attention: first Fred Astaire plays "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket" on the piano, then he sings it, then Ginger Rogers sings it, and finally, they dance to it, including some comedic dance moves. It's a virtuoso display of talent that sums up the film. The story is not as important as their virtuosity.The Music by Irving Berlin is one of the film's main assets. It forms the melodic foundation of the film. This is fifth film pairing of Astaire and Rogers and they are wonderful together, to the final dance.Not to be missed by those who like A&R or anyone who enjoys musicals. Fred's vocals, which are underrated I think, shine on some songs that are difficult to sing.

Continuing my affair with the delightful Ginger Rogers, I can't go for long without her. This is great stuff, up there with Top Hat and Shall We Dance - the three best Fred 'n' Ginge films - all directed by Sandrich in the mid 30s. Irving Berlin's tunes are all pedigree again here, including 'Let's Face the Music and Dance', the scene paid tribute in Fellini's Ginger and Fred. The dancing is lively and inventive, and it's good value at 110 minutes.To draw the story out, the subplot follows another couple, Randolph Scott and Harriet Hilliard - the latter even gets a couple of songs. The contrast between Hilliard and Rogers (who play sisters) is fascinating. Rogers' face somehow sparkles and you know she's witty, humane and is high on emotional intelligence by her mannerisms and the way she uses her voice with that cute Southern edge. Hilliard is good but doesn't have that something which is evidently star quality. We don't have to worry about Fred, he is so good at what he does it all looks like a holiday for him - he lets himself go and enjoys it, and the others follow his lead. Sandrich clearly had the knack of getting everyone in the right frame of mind.I'll no doubt be dipping into this regularly, as I do with the other Fred & Ginger films, particularly on those nights when you can't sleep and you want a reason for not hating the world.

. . . Fred Astaire as Seaman "Bake" Baker has convinced me that any recruiting center I may enter will be playing "Anchors Aweigh!" In the Navy, according to FOLLOW THE FLEET, multiple rich chicks seem to fight over any sailor who's halfway decent-looking. In the Navy, you can then leave the girls for months at a time to make "their hearts grow fonder" (and/or give them a chance to refurbish giant ships for your eventual personal use). In the Navy, you have lots of free time between ports to conduct jazz bands and perfect dance routines. In the Navy, it's okay for enlisted guys to punch out officers, as long as it's at a social gathering during off-duty hours (you even can deck them aboard ship while on-duty, if you have a really good reason!). In the Navy, you can study for and pass tests to become a civilian ship captain the minute you're mustered out. In the Navy, they have cooks and galleys, so you don't have to settle for C-rations, or K-rations, or any other kind of alphabet soup. In the Navy, you're never ordered to dig fox holes. In the Navy, there's not as much of that noisy shooting you have to put up with in the Army or in the Marines. As far as I'm concerned, FOLLOW THE FLEET!

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")