El amor lo vence todo

Of course the plot is dreary and there's not enough singing and dancing. For me, there never is. As a movie, it rather sucks, but as a DVD it is just fine. Just go to the numbers with Doris, Gordon and the people you like to watch perform. The surprising highlight of the film is Janice Rule. She and Gene Nelson dance together in two numbers. This is the only time she got to dance in a movie. I knew she danced on Broadway in "The Happiest Girl In The World", but I didn't see it and THIS I can see. I'm glad that this is on DVD. I can watch Janice Rule dance anytime I want. She was wonderful.Patrice Wymore dances to and "sings" Gershwin's "Liza". Sounded like Bonnie Lou Willams. She seemed to be the voice double of every lovely non-singing lady at Warner Bros. when she wasn't recording with Gordon Jenkins. Virginia Mayo's number was quite good and I wish they would put "She's Working Her Way Through College" and "She's Back On Broadway" in a set with some other pictures that she did at that studio. Also, how about all three versions of "The Desert Song" and the three of "Showboat" ? I would buy all of these tomorrow. Hey, if you do, please include Ava's tracks.

As a movie this barely rates a 4 but for movie fans of the 1940s period, it's almost a must-see and rates a 9 as a variety show! I was drawn to watch this by the presence of Richard (Captain Midnight) Webb who plays the Colonel in charge of the event. What surprised me was the stunning performance of Doris Day. Outside of 'Calamity Jane', I've never seen her put over a song better than she does here. Randolph Scott is memorable as well, even if he doesn't see much screen time. It's been a while since I saw the movie but I was almost sure Humphrey Bogart put in an appearance. With so many familiar faces, it's hard to keep track. If it ever turns up on a TV station near you, be sure to catch the Doris Day sequence, if nothing else!

A slew of big-name entertainers seek to entertain film audiences, by entertaining troops headed for the Korean War, from California's Travis Air Force Base. Up-and-comers Janice Rule (as Nell Wayne) and Ron Hagerthy (as Rick Williams) provide an interconnecting romantic storyline, but it's really a Warner Brothers variety show. "Starlift" is light and pleasant, with your enjoyment dependent upon your interest in the performers and material on screen.

Doris Day was, at the time, the nation's newest box office sensation; and, she generously contributes the Gershwins' "''S Wonderful", plus the lovely medley "You Oughta Be in Pictures"/"You Do Something to Me". Day was always great with a duet, and the breezy "You're Gonna Lose Your Gal" is perfect, with Gordon MacRae. By the way, that Monaco/Young duet sounds nothing like Lennon/McCartney's "You're Gonna Lose That Girl"; rather, it sounds very much like Elvis Presley's "How Would You Like To Be".

Gene Nelson is the other undeniable another highlight. His dancing, on "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (with Ms. Rule) is spectacular And, Mr. Nelson's "It's Magic" (which had already been a big hit for Day) is probably the best production in the film. Together, Day and Nelson could make the most ordinary vehicles shine brighter.

****** Starlift (12/14/51) Roy Del Ruth ~ Janice Rule, Doris Day, Gene Nelson

I recommend this film despite the low rating. Though it is saddled with a simple story and it has a disjointed narrative, it features a plethora of stars and some memorable moments.

The story revolves around a base where military personnel wait for deployment in the Korean conflict. Some Warner Brothers stars (e.g. Doris Day, Ruth Roman, and Gordon MacRae) who play versions of themselves entertain the troops there. The story eventually settles into a plot about an Air Force crewman who is a hometown acquaintance of star Nell Wayne (Janice Rule). But just as that story becomes interesting, it shifts to another, unrelated musical performance.

But some of those vocal performances are very enjoyable, especially those by Day and MacRae. Jane Wyman also sings. Look for the dancing of Janice Rule. And Virginia Gibson, who performs as a saloon girl in a musical number featuring Gary Cooper and Phil Harris that is very entertaining.

Addendum 10/20/23: Among the many beauties in the film, watch for Patrice Wymore., a knockout who taps and sings with an all-girl band. Patrice was married to Errol Flynn until his death.

During WWII, Warner Brothers made several films which were a combination of a showcase for the various talent at the studio as well as a chance to bolster the war effort. These films had very little in the way of plot and featured lots of cameos as well as singing and dancing. They were entertaining but rather shallow entertainment. Here with "Starlift", Warner has resurrected the old formula and updated it for the Korean War.

The film begins with two soldiers insinuating themselves into the lives of a couple famous Warner stars--Doris Day and Ruth Roman. The pushy soldier does this by pretending that his buddy is friends with Nell Wayne* and the two ladies offer to bring them back to their hotel to see Nell. There, the guys meet James Cagney and Nell--but Nell is confused--who are these guys? Well, by now, Ruth and Doris really like the two guys and although they DON'T know Nell, they agree to accompany them back to the base to meet the rest of the fellows. There, the stars agree to put on a USO-type show for the men. What follows are mostly song and dance routines as well as a disappointing plot involving Nell and one of the soldiers. I say disappointing because it went from kind of cute at first to strange and confusing--and unsatisfying. And, considering that the film is really just a showcase for their talent, this might explain the weakness of the plot.

By the way, among the man soldiers in the film you will probably notice Jack Larson. Jack played Jimmy Olsen in "The Adventures of Superman".

*I have no idea why Janice Rule is called 'Nell Wayne' in this film. Perhaps the studio was considering using this moniker for her but soon dropped it. However, apart from Miss Rule, the rest of the stars go by their own familiar names. I was a bit confused by this--especially since the film acted like 'Nell Wayne' was an established star and I'd never heard of her before this!