Ship Ahoy

One of the legendary Broadway stars who did not forge a memorable career in films, Bert Lahr performs at his cinematic best in this flimsy, albeit entertaining, musical comedy. Given considerable screen time and a character that permits his idiosyncratic comic turns to fit comfortably, Lahr exceeds his achievements in other movies. Whether working to only the camera, or with Red Skelton, or with Virginia O'Brien (a good partner for him), Bert Lahr at last shows what he can do. His brand of comedy may not be to everyone's taste (whose is?), but if you like his "shtick," don't miss this one.

As with most of Eleanor Powell's films, this one plays out along the flimsiest of plots. For some reason -- oh it is explained! -- she's selected to transport a magnetic mine to Cuba. Good guys and bad guys compete for the mine and who is who gets confusing. But, as always, Powell's dancing is superb and worth the price of admission. And in this one Lahr plays his cowardly lion, evoking warm memories of that Technicolor film of 1939. A fringe benefit is hearing a young Frank, with that wonderful voice and skinny vulnerability that he abandoned for his wise-guy persona later on. In addition, the great drummer, Buddy Rich, has a wonderful time displaying his virtuosity. Watch particularly for his unique duet with Dorsey's trumpet man, Ziggy Elman. I say "unique" perhaps in ignorance, but I know of no other drum/trumpet sequence like this one on film or records. This film is fun. Even Skelton's goofy persona is relatively restrained. Powell shows again that she is the greatest film dancer ever.

"Ship Ahoy" is one of MGM's minor musical comedies of the early 40s with a simple plot, great dance numbers by Eleanor Powell and comedy antics by Red Skelton supplemented by the music of Tommy Dorsey's orchestra which includes Buddy Rich and a young Frank Sinatra. Fun added by Bert Lahr and Smile-less Virginia O'Brien. This film is fun to watch!

ELEANOR POWELL was in top tap-dancing form when she made SHIP AHOY! with RED SKELTON as her bumbling co-star and BERT LAHR for some added laughs, along with VIRGINIA O'BRIEN.

It's a daffy story about a gal asked to transport a magnetic mine aboard a ship to San Juan, Puerto Rico during World War II when Nazi spies were rampant in films of this sort. Her mission is soon in peril and the rest of the plot has her managing to stave off the bad guys with the help of Skelton and Lahr.

Worthwhile really only for the dancing talents of ELEANOR POWELL, who does a specialty number involving Buddy Rich on the drums that has to be seen to be believed. And watch for the young FRANK SINATRA singing with Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra.

It's a minor MGM musical comedy that deserves at least one watch.

So-so musical comedy with a flimsy espionage plot. Dancer Eleanor Powell is tricked VERY easily by Axis spies into taking some super special magnetic mine on board a ship headed to Puerto Rico. On the voyage she falls for writer Red Skelton, who also happens to be the guy who wrote the story that gave the spies the whole idea to begin with. Yeah, I know. Anyway, no one cares about all that. If you watched this, chances are you did so either to see Skelton do his shtick or to see Powell dance. If you're here for Skelton, you might be disappointed since he's rather subdued this time around. That's actually a plus for me as he isn't one of my favorite comic actors. If, like me, you watched this for Eleanor Powell, you undoubtedly enjoyed her nice tap numbers. Outside of the two stars, the movie has two other things worth mentioning about it. The first is a positive - an early appearance from a skinny Frank Sinatra singing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The second is a negative - the Cowardly Lion himself, Bert Lahr, plays Skelton's comic relief sidekick. Why Skelton, of all people, would need a sidekick trying to upstage him is beyond me. Lahr is a big drain on the movie, annoying to no end and playing a horndog chasing after girls half his age. The guy was literally born in the 19th century and poor Virginia O'Brien, in her early twenties here, is forced to play opposite him. Gross. Anyway, it's not the best movie but it will help to pass the time in a mostly pleasant way. The romance is flat and the comedy is a bit weak but Powell is charming and the musical numbers are good.