You're Lucky I got acquainted with this film in exactly the same way as I did with the musical Too Many Girls. I initially heard the soundtrack and then decided to watch the movie.
The strangest thing is that in the film again plays Lucille Ball. And he plays himself - movie star Lucille Ball! The film "The best legs forward" is a film adaptation of the eponymous Broadway musical of 1941.
The plot of the film is as follows: Cadet Bud Hooper sends a letter in which he invites Hollywood movie star Lucille Ball to the prom. Lucille’s career is in a state of crisis due to the failure of her last film.
Therefore, for the sake of advertising and on the instructions of her agent, she agrees to come there. However, a real cadet girl is going to come to the prom, who thinks he is sick (as he wrote her in a letter). It's a scandal. . .
The cast in the film is very familiar to me, but with the roles everyone coped perfectly. Lucille Ball appears in the film as herself only because the film wanted to take a movie star for this role, so that she appeared under her own name.
But Rita Hayworth refused, Lana Turner became pregnant, and Joan Leslie was not interested in the role. The role was given to Lucille Ball. Playing a movie star, in reality, she never reached the status of a movie star, although she starred in a number of successful films in the 40s and early 50s.
The singing of the actress in the film duplicates Gloria Grafton. Nothing would have changed with the other three actresses. She played Lucille, surprisingly well.
William Gaxton looks funny as her dodgy agent. Tommy Deeks fits into the role of a cadet, although his voice is really striking. It is a pity that after this film he starred in the cinema only once, in 1944 - and then ... silence!
Virginia Weidler fervently coped with the role of a jealous cadet girl. Shooting in movies from the age of 4, from a cute girl, at the age of 16 she became a charming girl. It is hard to believe that this is her last film.
Her singing in the film duplicates Lowanne Hogan, by the way, a beautiful voice. By the way, the song performed by this character in the film - 'Ev'ry Time', later became a hit and was covered by many artists.
In my opinion, Nancy Walker made her film debut as a sarcastic girl who came to the prom, but her boyfriend is absolutely not happy to see her. The actress will play in two more films in 1943, and then will appear on the screen from time to time. Sings and dances very well. It's sharpened more often.
That was great, guys!
Who are you talking to?
Oh, that's a sound movie!
Or:
You're lucky you've been through it. And the only man who kissed me was my two-year-old nephew. His teeth were cut and he had to bite something.
Jun Allison brings a little more excitement to this movie. By the way, it's also her film debut. After that, she will star in many films in the 40s and 50s. Gloria DeHaven sings perfectly - the best voice of the film! Her film career will begin rather violently, but in 1945 she will disappear from the screen, and returning in 1948, she will not be able to achieve her former success.
Kenny Bowers and Jack Jordan are funny as cadet friends. For the latter in the film sings Ralph Blaine - one of the authors of songs sounding in the film. I would also note Beverly Tyler, whose beautiful soprano can be heard in the film, for a little more than one minute.
Alas, after this film, she will play in several famous films in the 40s, but the success of the movie star will not reach. Funny, but the studio MGM she impressed with her voice, but her singing, in the end, can only be heard in this forgotten musical, which was recently remembered, and even translated thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts.
The plot of the film may seem silly, but the actors it played interestingly, even Lucille Ball did not disappoint. Musical numbers are very lively and fun. I liked the songs: 'Wish I May', 'Ev'ry Time', 'The Three B's', 'My First Promise', 'Alive and Kickin' and 'You're Lucky' - a very beautiful song performed by understudy Lucille Ball.
In short, I really liked the film. A light and fun musical comedy with beautiful songs and dances and a very cheerful atmosphere that reigned in many musicals of that period. The film is perfect for lifting the mood and will definitely appeal to fans of the genre.
10 out of 10