In the Navy

source: In the Navy

Moviecut—In the Navy

In the Navy

Abbott & Costello star as Smokey Adams & Pomeroy Watson, two naval recruits who are friends with popular crooner Tommy Halstead(played by Dick Powell) who, in a desperate attempt to escape from his over-adoring fans, enlists in the navy. He tries to remain anonymous, but a determined female journalist sneaks aboard disguised as a sailor, but is later uncovered. Guess what happens next? Meanwhile, Smokey & Pomeroy have their own misadventures... Disappointing comedy just isn't that funny, despite using some of their successful routines, this is just a slight and forgettable variation on their far more successful earlier "Buck Privates". The Andrews Sisters also costar here.

The duo's second service comedy of 1941 is also one of their best films. The humor abounds, especially in the sequence where Costello tries to impress the Andrews Sisters by captaining the ship. The comic highlights of the film are the "Lemon Bit" (watch as the boys try to keep a straight face) and Costello's efforts to get into a hammock. The romantic subplot isn't bad, either, as the always excellent Dick Powell croons his way into Claire Dodd's heart. One may find themself wrapped up in this plotline, unlike most romantic subplots in A&C's films. Funny material, the Andrews Sisters, a decent plot and an appearance by the one and only Shemp Howard make "In The Navy" an A&C treat. 8 out of 10.

Plot is not really a crucial element of this type of picture ,and it comes as no suprise to learn it is pretty skimpy.A radio crooner (Dick Powell )is tired of the pressure of fame and enlist incognito in the US navy .A zealous reporter (Claire Dodd )sets out to expose the truth ,even resorting to stowing away on board ship to break the story. It is really the excuse for a variety of set pieces -musical from the Andrews Sisters and comedic ,from Abbot and Costello ,following up their earlier forces comedy "Buck Privates"(acknowledged in a brief gag over the opening credits) These are varied in the amusement value--I loved the scene where Bud demonstrates that 13 multiplied by 7 equals 28 ,and the "bunco game "scene with lemons is a minor classic but much of it is unsubtle clowning. As a memento of the more innocent age of cinema it is endearing and will still generate a few laughs along the way.

Lou: "I'll fight these men in a field of honor" Bud: "But they have no honor" Lou: "That's okay, I ain't got no field!" One of the earliest Abbott & Costello films, "In the Navy" has a better balance of humor and music than, say, the Marx Brothers outings of the same period. The songs, although dated, are still quite catchy, and there is also a spectacular tap-dancing number by the Condos Brothers (OK, the Hawaiian song is perfectly awful, but at least nobody plays a harp for 10 minutes here). The comedy is visual, verbal, and at times even surreal (Costello draws a line with a piece of chalk on a blackboard - and then hangs his cap on it!). This film is not great cinematic art, but it does offer some great laughs. (**1/2)

Maybe Who's On First is Abbott and Costello's best known routine, but the one that is my favorite has Lou successfully proving to Abbott and everyone else that Thirteen times seven does equal twenty eight. That is the centerpiece of this film and I never fail to split a gut when I see it. In the book the films of Dick Powell it says that Powell grabbed this role with relish because it reflected him in real life. At that time Powell was desperately trying to get out of crooning roles and do straight drama. And that's just what Russ Raymond, Powell's character, is trying to do here. He enlists in the Navy under the name of Tommy Halsted with reporter Claire Dodd hot on his trail and the accompanying story. That's the thin plot of this film, but with Abbott and Costello at the top of their game, plot, shmot, who cares. Good laughs for all.

Almost every comedy nowadays is purely Rated R for a reason, because it's vulgar trash in some way... unfortunately that is what passes as funny to today's audiences. Well, comedy does not need to be that, as shown here in this wonderfully hilarious military comedy from Abbott & Costello. The routines are so funny and should have your sides splitting! Other entertainment comes from The Andrews Sisters. Their music might be lame by today's standards but you gotta commend 'em for always bringing a smile to the face of our young men in uniform. Including a tap dance routine, the movie is a little more musical than I would have liked but still overall an excellent film! --A Kat Pirate Screener

In The Navy does at times feel rushed, you sense that it was what is commonly known today as a cash cow !, it was rushed thru to capitalise on the success of Buck Privates the previous outing from the duo. Abbott & Costello are widely regarded and lauded for saving Universal Studios bacon, so with that in mind I feel that it would be churlish of me to downgrade the film for its forced feel, but sadly it is evident regardless. Yet for me to even suggest that the film is less than entertaining would be doing a big disservice to all involved, all the expected formula's are in here, the gags from the boys hit the mark, with the "find the submarine sequence" particularly mirth inducing, and of course the musical warbling of The Andrews Sisters offers foot tapping relief. The film does exactly what it says on the tin, open it up expecting fun and light relief, and you will get it in spades, a safe 6/10.