Dick Foran was one of the most under-rated of the Hollywood players. He was one of the best singers, was a darn good actor, was even a good cowboy, which to me is the apex of movie performing.
He didn't always get roles worthy of his talent. This is an example.
He plays a character that was so often done and over-done, the guy who gets into the military but doesn't want to follow orders. In fact, this one was desperate to join, even had surgery to be able to do so, then he doesn't want to follow the rules? Doesn't really make sense.
As usual, some girl gets the guy to change -- and since the girl this time is Jennifer Holt, well, his transformation is completely understandable.
So, forget the story, such as it is. Instead, concentrate on the music, with the magnificent Harry James being a focal point, along with the Foran character, who has a really beautiful voice.
Listed first in the cast are those wonderful Andrews Sisters. Helen Forrest also sings but doesn't get much credit, and she deserves all she can get.
Shemp Howard has a major role, mostly silly, I'm sorry to say. Donald O'Connor appears briefly, Joe E. Lewis too often, the adorable Mary Wickes not enough, and some truly marvelous other performers sing and dance their hearts out, all for the cause, apparently, of signing up some more cannon fodder.
Frankly, early on I was tempted to stop the movie and go on to something else, but I am really glad I stayed to the end: It just got better and better when the big show was presented, with all the singers and dancers performing. It made up for all the preceding silliness and irrelevant bits. I recommend "Private Buckaroo" to connoisseurs of Hollywood music, because you will see some of the best here.
He didn't always get roles worthy of his talent. This is an example.
He plays a character that was so often done and over-done, the guy who gets into the military but doesn't want to follow orders. In fact, this one was desperate to join, even had surgery to be able to do so, then he doesn't want to follow the rules? Doesn't really make sense.
As usual, some girl gets the guy to change -- and since the girl this time is Jennifer Holt, well, his transformation is completely understandable.
So, forget the story, such as it is. Instead, concentrate on the music, with the magnificent Harry James being a focal point, along with the Foran character, who has a really beautiful voice.
Listed first in the cast are those wonderful Andrews Sisters. Helen Forrest also sings but doesn't get much credit, and she deserves all she can get.
Shemp Howard has a major role, mostly silly, I'm sorry to say. Donald O'Connor appears briefly, Joe E. Lewis too often, the adorable Mary Wickes not enough, and some truly marvelous other performers sing and dance their hearts out, all for the cause, apparently, of signing up some more cannon fodder.
Frankly, early on I was tempted to stop the movie and go on to something else, but I am really glad I stayed to the end: It just got better and better when the big show was presented, with all the singers and dancers performing. It made up for all the preceding silliness and irrelevant bits. I recommend "Private Buckaroo" to connoisseurs of Hollywood music, because you will see some of the best here.