Reveille with Beverly (1943)

For Swing fans there are six good reasons to watch this movie and they are the half dozen platters spun by DJ Beverly Ross (Ann Miller) which include The Mills Brothers, Count Basie, Bob Crosby, Duke Ellington, Freddy Slack/Ella Mae Morse and Frank Sinatra. The plot is very secondary to the talent on display albeit the gimmick - Miller loads a platter onto the turntable, sets it spinning, lowers the stylus and we 'dissolve' to that actual artist performing the respective number in full. There is also another act, The Radio Rogues, a trio of impressionists active from 1935 who featured in several Columbia shorts who offer ho hum carbons of Clark Gable, Amos n' Andy, Lum and Abner, Ben Bernie, Kate Smith et al. Essentially it's a nostalgia trip for Senior citizens but none the worse for it.

Taking on a man's job as radio DJ, future camp movie musical star Annie Miller moves from supporting roles to leading lady and Columbia's big song and dance girl in this war collection of specialties by some of the hottest acts of the time. Ann Miller would go on to greater things years later at MGM and of course on Broadway, but her charm and innocence made for a fine second string lead at Columbia studios where, while no threat to Rita Hayworth or Jean Arthur, was definitely one of their top attractions.This is 75% music and 25% plot, but what is inside the shell is quite superb. Even Frank Sinatra pops up to sing Night and Day, and there's also Bob Crosby, the Mills Brothers and a novelty song called Cow Cow boogie witch has a music video out there somewhere involving cows lip syncing to the song heard here. It's a shame though that what was obviously a sound, or essentially an early music video, wasn't utilized in this movie because of the original songs, it is the most well remembered.Look sharp for Irene Ryan as Miller's co-worker who gets in a few funny Libes. Franklin Pangborn sneers hysterically at cracks for being a decade out of step with the times and the Radio Rogues, sometimes annoying, are amusing with their selections of imitations. Of course, this wouldn't be a successful World War II musical without the obligatory patriotic finale, and this is where Annie breaks out in tap shoes which she would later utilize with great abandon and in Technicolor, and sometimes backwards as well wearing high heels at MGM.

Just took another trip down memory lane by watching the 1943 movie, "Reveille With Beverly". A few of the details had been forgotten over the 64 years since the original viewing but the music was remembered! The reprise of the records which were so popular at that time and which kept wearing out turntable needles was a joy to the ears. The Mills Bros. (with John Sr instead of the original John Jr) were a soothing sound. Count Basie was a must with his 'One O'Clock Jump'. Bob Crosby with bassist Bob Haggart and drummer Ray Bauduc gave us "Big Noise From Winnetka". Then Duke Ellington and his great organization gave us his theme song, 'Take the A Train'. Frank Sinatra gave us a production staged rendition of ' Night and Day'. That is to say, it featured many violinists and pianists of gowned femininity. But the arrangement was the record which was so popular on a 78. Ella Mae Morse with the backing of Freddie Slack and his orchestra gave us the 'Cow Cow Boogie' in her own inimitable way. Finally the Radio Rogues were brought in to give us a smorgasbord of various popular radio performers of the time and of the past. There were the usual imitations of 'Lum and Abner'; 'Amos and Andy'; Kate Smith; Ben Bernie; Red Skelton; etc. Ann Miller finished up with a production number which was strapped by budget. If you like swing and remember WWII, this is a delight.

Looking luscious at the age the ripe old age of 20, Ann Miller stars in this 1940s equivalent of today's music videos on MTV or VH1. The flimsy plot is just an excuse to string together musical performances of recording artists of that era.The musical performance by Frank Sinatra of Cole Porter's "Night And Day" is a noteworthy highlight. His stage is set with six lady pianists at grand pianos and six lady violinists.Although flimsy, the plot has some merit. Comic relief is provided by veteran character actors, Tim Ryan and Irene Ryan, along with perpetually persnickety Franklin Pangborn. You'll also recognize other character actors in this film.The film wraps up with a splendid tap dancing production number by Miller, to a patriotic World War II-era song.It's 78 minutes of nostalgia and worth watching just to see Miller at her loveliest. The print recently broadcast by Turner Classic Movies was in very good condition.