Next to Bob Hope, The Andrews Sisters probably did more than any other entertainers to lift the spirits, help keep hope alive, and entertain troops and people on the home fronts of the Allies during World War II. Their top tunes from the late 1930s and 1940s remain the favorite recordings of those songs well into the 21st century. Some of their debuts and renditions stand alone as the classics of those tunes, such as "Bei mir bist du shoen." And, who else, but the Andrews Sisters could sing "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"? Some of their other big hits were: "Don't sit under the apple tree," "Rum and Coca-Cola," "Beer barrel polka," "Pistol packin' mama," "Accentuate the positive," "Shoo, shoo baby," "Don't fence me in," "I'll be with you in apple blossom time," and "Straighten up and fly right."
Besides their live performances, recordings and USO trips to entertain the troops, the sisters were in several movies during WW II
These were mostly comedy musicals, and they were the only feature films they would be in. "Always a Bridesmaid" is the only one that didn't fare well. It's gross box office was under $330,000. The sisters co-starred in this Universal film with Patric Knowledge and Grace McDonald. While Knowles was a leading man for Universal, he was the best they could come up with for this film. McDonald was om fewer than two dozen films. The only other recognized cast of the day are Bill Gilbert and Charles Butterworth, who played supporting roles in comedies. But her, Butterworth's Col. Winchester is flat as a pancake, with zero humor. And, Gilbert's Nick Neopolitan is way overboard loud and disruptive is just about as much humor as the other.
Overall, this is a lousy screenplay. In just over one hour, Universal tried to cram an undercover investigation of a crime scam, a romance, a musical - with numbers scattered throughout, some kind of lonely hearts radio program and club. The result is a mess with choppy, dull pieces interspersed with some mayhem teen dance numbers and an Andrews Sisters number here and there. And, unfortunately, their songs are all forgettable - not a hit tune among them. And their singings of these numbers isn't up to par for what fans of the sisters have heard and remember.
The sisters were in some very good morale-boosting films during the war years, but not in lead roles. While none of their films were blockbusters, most of the rest made profits with good box office draw "Buck Privates" of 1941 starred Abbott and Costello, and finished 50th for the year with a box office of $4.0 million. Other good film wee "In the Navy" of 1941 and "Private Buckaroo" of 1942, with Harry James and his Orchestra.
Here are the best lines in this film - about the only good ones.
Tony Warren (Knowle), "What'd he do?" Linda Perkins (McDonald), "Well, he... he tried to hold my hand."
Ephraim - County Clerk, "It's a cinch no man'd get married to keep out of jail."
Ephraim - County Clerk, "Aw, son, getting' married is just like learnin' how to swim - hold your nose and blinkin."
Nicholas, "But I don't want to be reimbursed. I want to be paid."
Patty Andrews, "Where were you?" Nicholas, "I was taking a nap. After I faint, I always get sleepy."
