Shipmates Forever (1935)

Believe you me, 6/10 is a generous mark for this disappointing malarkey from Warner Brothers, which finds director Frank Borzage at Annapolis Naval Academy. I liked Borzage very much, but he was always inclined to go overboard on sentiment unless restrained by a bullying producer. In this one, Frank was given the green light by a producer who allowed him to wallow in sentiment so long as he kept the movie's overall costs to a minimum. Needless to say, Frank took full advantage of the producer's offer. "Shipmates Forever" absolutely wallows in sentiment. True, Borzage's craftsmanship cannot be faulted. Indeed, on one or two occasions, it is even a little inventive. But alas, on far, far too many occasions, "Shipmates Forever" is just plain boring. Admittedly, we must also point an accusing finger at Delmer Daves who allegedly wrote this cliché- ridden rubbish. And alas, there are two more big disappointments, I feel I should draw to your attention before you rush out and buy the DVD. I know all you Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler fans (in which I include myself) will buy the DVD anyway, but be warned that expert photographer Sol Polito presumably hated Ruby Keeler and has made her look absolutely awful. In fact, I would give this movie my number one award for the Most Unatractively Photographed Heroine ever (although admittedly it doesn't look half as vicious on DVD as it does on a big movie screen). At twelve reels, the movie runs far too long. Even the songs by the topflight team, Harry Warren and Al Dubin, are, to say the least second rate, uninspired, forgettable...

'Shipmates Forever' shares the same flaws and strengths of 'Flirtation Walk' with the same lead actors and director, but due to having better pacing and choreography 'Flirtation Walk' is the better film if only just.Like 'Flirtation Walk', the weak link is the story, which is wafer-thin and goes well overboard on the simplicity. One says that musical-comedies shouldn't be seen for the story, but as 'Shipmates Forever' is heavier on story rather than on the musical material and production numbers it is harder to ignore it. Again, like 'Flirtation Walk', Frank Borzage tends to make heavy weather of it, meaning that the pace does drag outside of the songs and the energy is not as light-on-its-feet as it should have been. The patriotic tone is sometimes laid on too thick too.The songs are very pleasant, with the highlights between "Don't Give Up the Ship" and particularly "I'd Rather Listen to Your Eyes", but there are more timeless and more memorable songs. The film is very scant on production numbers and what little there is is literally crying out for the involvement of Busby Berkeley who would have directed them with much more energy and imagination.However, 'Shipmates Forever' while not lavish still looks handsome and colourful as well as skilfully photographed. The script is smart and amusing, if a little too frothy in places.Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell are immensely likable and their chemistry is incredibly charming and a large part of the film's appeal. The rest of the performances are also good, with a fine supporting turn from John Arledge and a nicely quirky one from Ross Alexander.On the whole, a lesser Keeler-Powell film but still very much watchable. 6/10 Bethany Cox

In New York, popular crooner and radio star Dick Powell (as Richard "Dick" Melville) meets tap-dancer Ruby Keeler (as June Blackburn) at a Navy celebration. As you would expect, they are mutually attracted. Helping the relationship considerably is the fact that both Mr. Powell and Ms. Keeler have soured on their US Navy connections. Powell wants to continue his singing career and resists Navy admiral father Lewis Stone (as Richard Melville), who wants his boy to continue a long family tradition. Having lost both a father and brother to Navy service, Keeler agrees Powell should keep his distance...In order to prove he can make the grade, Powell predictably applies to the Navel Academy at Annapolis. Though he intended otherwise, Powell eventually joins the Navy as a midshipman. Keeler makes a few appearances, coming to terms with her family tragedies through Powell's experience...Director Frank Borzage and the Warner Bros. team are equipped with plenty of location and stock footage, but too much of it is padding; this film's appeal would be greater with some trimming. Helping the formulaic Delmer Daves story is a colorfully introduced trio of "Shipmates Forever" - Ross Alexander (as Lafayette "Sparks" Brown) from Arkansas, Eddie Acuff (as Lincoln "Cowboy") from Texas and John Arledge (as Johnny "Coxswain" Lawrence) from Arizona. Robert Light (as Ted Sterling) is also on board. Best supporting actor is Mr. Arledge, who gets the best-written role and sails away with the film.****** Shipmates Forever (10/12/35) Frank Borzage ~ Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, John Arledge, Ross Alexander

The Warner Brothers gang is back again, and this time they're out to sea. Richard Melville III (Dick Powell) comes from a long time of Navy men. His father (Lewis Stone) is commander of the fleet and expects that his son will follow in his footsteps. Dick doesn't want to; in fact, he has become quite successful as a crooner on the radio. And besides, his girl (Ruby Keeler) doesn't want her husband to turn out dead like her Navy brother and father. Now before you start having flashes of The Jazz Singer, read on. Dick decides to give his father's way a try, but he is stubborn enough to isolate himself during his training. It is too bad too, because his father knows how he could benefit from the company of guys like Sparks (Ross Alexander), Cowboy (Eddie Acuff), and Coxswain (John Arledge).A really great film, Shipmates Forever is undeniably similar to Flirtation Walk not only for the cast or the story but the director Frank Borzage too. However, the similarities are no hindrance and this second chance has actually improved upon the original. It features a great many more comic moments which liven it tremendously. Alexander is always good for a laugh, and it is too bad he took his own life only a few years later. Perhaps the funniest and most shocking moment is during a "I'd Rather Listen To Your Eyes." Powell's crooning draws all of the women, and a series of Busby Berkeley-esquire close-ups on their eyes illustrates the melody. That is, until a pair of men's eyes pop up! Other songs include the Warren and Dubin standards "Don't Give Up The Ship" and "I'd Love To Take Orders From You." It is a wonder why this one has never been released.