Main Cast: Eleanor Powell, Red Skelton, Virginia O'Brien, William Post, Jr., Jimmy Cross
Release Year: 1942
Country: US
Run Time: 95 minutes
Plot
This musical -- a concoction of comedy, songs, dancing, and war-time patriotism mixed together with a spy spoof plot -- opens with Tommy Dorsey and his band swinging through "Hawaiian War Chant" while Eleanor Powell taps away. Powell, it turns out, is Tallulah Winters, the band's official tap dancer, and she and the orchestra are taking an ocean liner to Puerto Rico for their next gig. Also on board are some enemy agents, anxious to secretly and safely transport their stolen plans, which include a prototype magnetic mine that can make play a big role in the war. Utilizing a plot device from a novel by Merton K. Kibble (played by Red Skelton), the enemy agents pretend to be working for the U.S. government and enlist Winters to help them with their plans. A series of misunderstandings and confusions ensue, including a baggage mix-up that leaves Kibble unwittingly in possession of the mine. Eventually Winters discovers that she has been duped and works to set all things right. Ship Ahoy takes advantage of the talents of its musical stars -- including Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford -- to offer a nice spread of musical numbers, including "Last Call for Love," "I'll Take Tallulah," "Poor You," and "On Moonlight Bay." ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Review
Forget about plot and chances are you'll enjoy Ship Ahoy, a frothy but incredibly empty little musical. While definitely a lesser entry from the masters at MGM, Ahoy has moderate entertainment value thanks to the magnetism and charm of its stars. Indeed, this is definitely a film where the cast really is the picture, for the story is simply an excuse for musical numbers and comedy bits; it's the kind of screenplay that was put together rather than written (and put together haphazardly, at that). Much of the comedy (or comedic style) has dated, and the score is pleasant and hummable rather than shimmering and thrilling, but the on-screen talent pulls out all the stops to keep things interesting. Chief among the film's assets is delightful Eleanor Powell, in fine voice and absolutely sensational terpsichorean shape. Those legendary gams and her uncountable taps dance up a storm of excitement that is simply riveting. Red Skelton's humor may have lost something down through the years, but he's still good for some laughs; even better are Bert Lahr, turning in a sidesplitting turn, and Virginia O'Brien, deader of pan than ever. A very young Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford demonstrate their vocal prowess to good effect, and Tommy Dorsey and company are first rate. And the "challenge" sequence between Powell's taps and Buddy Rich's drums is not to be believed. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Cedric Gibbons - Art Director, Harry McAfee - Art Director, Bobby Connolly - Choreography, Robert Kalloch - Costume Designer, Edward N. Buzzell - Director, Blanche Sewell - Editor, Tommy Dorsey - Composer (Music Score), Leo Arnaud - Composer (Music Score), George Bassman - Composer (Music Score), Sy Oliver - Composer (Music Score), George Stoll - Composer (Music Score), Axel Stordahl - Composer (Music Score), George Stoll - Musical Direction/Supervision, Robert Planck - Cinematographer, Leonard Smith - Cinematographer, Jack Cummings - Producer, Edwin B. Willis - Set Designer, Matt Brooks - Screen Story, Bert Kalmar - Screen Story, Irving Brecher - Screenwriter, Harry Clark - Screenwriter, Harry Kurnitz - Screenwriter, Henry Russell - Featured Music, Bradford Ropes - Short Story Author
