If you liked Abbott and Costello in BUCK PRIVATES, then boy are you in for a treat. Their next film was less a new film for them but the last film reprised almost exactly--except now they are in the Navy instead of the Army. Once again the boys are in the service and they are supported by the Andrews Sisters--with lots and lots of singing--too much if you ask me. And, the laughs are pretty much the same once again with no major surprises, though some of the routines are pretty cute (such as Costello teaching Abbott math). It's a pretty well-made but very formulaic film. It also wasn't helped by the extensive and silly use of cheap toy models and a romance that comes out of no where for the finale. How much you like the film is strongly dependent on your love for this comedy team. Kids and some adults probably will enjoy it most, while those who hate old movies will probably be bored by the whole thing.
Now I know my opinion is probably NOT that shared by many Abbott and Costello fans. I like their early films but really think they suffer some from all that irrelevant music as well as having subplots involving a third party. In BUCK PRIVATES, Lee Bowman often took center stage--here, it's Dick Powell. While both are fine actors, they sure aren't funny and had no place in the film. I want 100% Abbott and Costello in my films--such as ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN or some of their other post-1941 films.
Now I know my opinion is probably NOT that shared by many Abbott and Costello fans. I like their early films but really think they suffer some from all that irrelevant music as well as having subplots involving a third party. In BUCK PRIVATES, Lee Bowman often took center stage--here, it's Dick Powell. While both are fine actors, they sure aren't funny and had no place in the film. I want 100% Abbott and Costello in my films--such as ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN or some of their other post-1941 films.