Hit the Deck [Blu-ray]

Director: Roy Rowland Roy Rowland

Overview

Hit the Deck is the second film version of the same-named 1927 hit Broadway musical. Though updated for the 1950s, the basic plot remains the same. Sailors Tony Martin, Vic Damone and Russ Tamblyn spend their entire shore leave in pursuit of three beautiful gals. Martin is "that way" about Ann Miller, Damone is stuck on Jane Powell, and Russ Tamblyn only has eyes for Debbie Reynolds. Some fun is extracted from the fact that Tamblyn is the son of by-the-book admiral Walter Pidgeon. Additional comedy relief is provided by Alan King (the same!) and Henry Slate as a pair of dumb-dumb shore patrolmen. The Vincent Youmans-Leo Robin-Clifford Grey-Irving Caesar score includes such standards as "Sometimes I'm Happy," "I Know that You Know," and the showstopping "Hallelujah." The 1930 version of Hit the Deck, starring Jack Oakie, was filmed by RKO; that version was purchased by MGM and hasn't been seen publicly in nearly 70 years.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/22/2014
UPC:	0883316978863
Original Release:	1955
Source:	Warner Brothers Publications
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:56:00
Sales rank:	6,002

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Tony Martin	William
Vic Damone	Rico
Russ Tamblyn	Danny
Jane Powell	Susan
Debbie Reynolds	Carol,Dancer
Walter Pidgeon	Adm. Smith
Gene Raymond	Wendell
Ann Miller	Ginger
J. Carrol Naish	Peroni
Kay Armen	Mrs. Ferrari
Richard Anderson	Lt. Jackson
Jane Darwell	Jenny
Henry Slate	Shore patrol
Alan King	Shore patrol

Technical Credits

Herbert Fields

Sonya Levien

William Ludwig

Roy Rowland	Director
Herbert Fields	Screenwriter
Sonya Levien	Screenwriter
William Ludwig	Screenwriter
Joe Pasternak	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Gobs pursuing gals while on shore leave was a situation that had served musical movies well for many years (see On the Town, Follow the Fleet, Anchors Aweigh, etc.), but by 1955, it was a situation that needed some new twist if it wasn't to seem shopworn. Hit the Deck's screenplay doesn't find that new twist, and that fact -- plus some rather perfunctory dialogue -- keeps the film from being more than mildly entertaining. However, it does boast a starry cast that makes the proceedings enjoyable. The women come off rather better than the men, as neither Vic Damone nor Tony Martin are great shakes dramatically. Russ Tamblyn is somewhat better as an actor, and his dancing is exhilarating and energetic. Debbie Reynolds and Ann Miller are even more energetic, raising the roof with their several dance routines, and Jane Powell is bright and winning. Production values are very good, with a finale that for sheer size is breathtaking (and is wonderfully orchestrated). Vincent Youmans' score is another selling point, containing a number of standards and lesser known gems. Roy Rowland's direction is competent (nothing more), but Hermes Pan's choreography is always lively. By 1955, Hit the Deck's time had passed, but it's a pleasant enough throwback.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler