Follow the Fleet (1936).

Follow the Fleet(1936). Musical/comedy. A film with a nautical theme and stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott, Harriet Hilliard, and Astrid Allwyn, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. Lucille Ball and Betty Grable also perform, in supporting roles. Director:Mark Sandrich with script by Allan Scott and Dwight Taylor based on the 1922 play Shore Leave by Hubert Osborne.The fifth (of ten) dancing partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.



FOLLOW THE FLEET (RKO Radio, 1936), directed by Mark Sandrich, marks the fifth pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and one of their top musicals with a wonderful score by Irving Berlin, also the composer of TOP HAT (1935). Reworking the formula from their earlier performance, ROBERTA (1935), Astaire and Rogers not only share screen time with another couple closer to their own age, but are characters already know each from the start. Unlike ROBERTA, Astaire and Rogers have equal status with the other couple played by Randolph Scott (of ROBERTA) and Harriet Hilliard (making her screen debut). Another change to the series is Astaire switching his elegant top hat, white tie and tails for a sailor's uniform.

The story begins with Bake Baker and Bilge Smith who are shipmates in the U.S. Navy who are looking forward to going on shore leave. Bake reunites with Sherry Martin, his former dancing partner now working at the Paradise Club. Sherry's sister, Connie, a schoolteacher, comes to visit her sister at the club, and gets a head to toe makeover. Soon after, Connie goes looking for Bilge, who had earlier ignored her on their first meeting. Now with with her new look, Bilge become interested in her. Once Connie mentions something about "wanting a husband at the helm," Bilge gets cold feet. while saying good by, he meets Iris Manning, a society girl who later takes him back to his ship, causing him to be late from leave. Connie, who has salvaged her late father's ship for Bilge soon finds out that he has moved on. Sherry has troubles of her own with Bake.

Of the musical numbers my favorite are, "Let's Face the Music and Dance". It's a production number in a Monte Carlo setting with their signature costumes, Rogers in elaborate dress with bell-type sleeves. Harriet Hilliard has two solos. "Where Are You?" is a beautiful love song.

Look closely for a young Tony Martin as one of the sailors, and Lucille Ball as a blond Kitty Collins.

Soundtracks:

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"We Saw the Sea"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Fred Astaire and chorus

"Let Yourself Go"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Ginger Rogers and chorus





"Get Thee Behind Me, Satan"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Harriet Hilliard

"Let Yourself Go"
(uncredited)
Instrumental Reprise
Dance performed by Ginger Rogers

"I'd Rather Lead a Band"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Song performed by Fred Astaire
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, chorus

"But Where Are You?"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Harriet Hilliard

"I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Song and dance performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

"Let's Face the Music and Dance"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Song performed by Fred Astaire
Dance performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers