Main Cast: Jane Powell, Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Walter Pidgeon, Vic Damone
Release Year: 1955
Country: US
Run Time: 112 minutes
Plot
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. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
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. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Paul Groesse - Art Director, Hermes Pan - Choreography, Helen Rose - Costume Designer, George Rhein - First Assistant Director, Roy Rowland - Director, John McSweeney, Jr. - Editor, George Stoll - Musical Direction/Supervision, Howard Johnson - Songwriter, Irving Caesar - Songwriter, Sidney Clare - Songwriter, Clifford Grey - Songwriter, Leo Robin - Songwriter, Anne Caldwell - Songwriter, William Rose - Songwriter, William J. Tuttle - Makeup, Cedric Gibbons - Production Designer, George Folsey - Cinematographer, Joe Pasternak - Producer, Fred MacLean - Set Designer, Edwin B. Willis - Set Designer, Herbert Fields - Screenwriter, Sonya Levien - Screenwriter, William Ludwig - Screenwriter, Vincent Youmans - Featured Music, Hubert Osborne - Short Story Author
