Besides its silly title, "Thousands Cheer" has some major problems that make it a mediocre film at best.
Released during WWII, it was designed to uplift morale at home (for civilians) and overseas (for the military). The film starts rather well, with the prodigious talents and adorability of Kathryn Grayson on display. It has a lighthearted air and is filled with colorful (Technicolor) scenes, plenty of quality music, and sharp fashions.
But as the story unfolds, it proves to be thin and little more than an excuse to display the talents of various studio stars. In one scene, Ms. Grayson is listening to Jose Iturbi play the piano over the phone. What a way to put a piano solo into the story! Before she hangs up the phone, Iturbi says he is coming to the base to put on a show for the troops there. And in the wink of an eye, the entire storyline is hijacked for a concert of performances by orchestras, dancers, comedians, a trapeze act, etc. The romantic plot is addressed briefly at the end--with a totally ridiculous denouement that involves two couples. And then the film wraps with a rousing anthem designed to invoke a plethora of stirring motivations within the viewer.
As a story, the film is almost a flop. It is better to appraise its value as a concert show. On that basis, the film does sometimes succeed. As I mentioned, Kathryn Grayson's singing is one of the highlights. As star after star steps onstage, there are other good moments, like the song "In a Little Spanish Town", with vocals by Gloria DeHaven, June Allyson and Virginia O'Brien. Personally, I would have enjoyed some strong swing dancing.
The song "I Dug a Ditch" is fun when performed by a comic lead singer, and it is even more fun when operatic Grayson croons its silly lyrics, but when it is performed for a third time later in the show, it feels like the song is driven into the ground.
Released during WWII, it was designed to uplift morale at home (for civilians) and overseas (for the military). The film starts rather well, with the prodigious talents and adorability of Kathryn Grayson on display. It has a lighthearted air and is filled with colorful (Technicolor) scenes, plenty of quality music, and sharp fashions.
But as the story unfolds, it proves to be thin and little more than an excuse to display the talents of various studio stars. In one scene, Ms. Grayson is listening to Jose Iturbi play the piano over the phone. What a way to put a piano solo into the story! Before she hangs up the phone, Iturbi says he is coming to the base to put on a show for the troops there. And in the wink of an eye, the entire storyline is hijacked for a concert of performances by orchestras, dancers, comedians, a trapeze act, etc. The romantic plot is addressed briefly at the end--with a totally ridiculous denouement that involves two couples. And then the film wraps with a rousing anthem designed to invoke a plethora of stirring motivations within the viewer.
As a story, the film is almost a flop. It is better to appraise its value as a concert show. On that basis, the film does sometimes succeed. As I mentioned, Kathryn Grayson's singing is one of the highlights. As star after star steps onstage, there are other good moments, like the song "In a Little Spanish Town", with vocals by Gloria DeHaven, June Allyson and Virginia O'Brien. Personally, I would have enjoyed some strong swing dancing.
The song "I Dug a Ditch" is fun when performed by a comic lead singer, and it is even more fun when operatic Grayson croons its silly lyrics, but when it is performed for a third time later in the show, it feels like the song is driven into the ground.