Starlift

If you want to see all of the Warner Stars from 1950 - 1955, they're all here. It's fun to see so many famous faces like Doris Day and Gordon MacRae, but there is no real plot to this movie. Troops are sad, stars cheer them up, troops are happy. There are some cute tunes and it's actually a lot of fun to see just how many stars they can cram into this film - but only a few of them stick around for the whole movie. MGM did it so much better in the 40s with movies like TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY and THOUSANDS CHEER. Those films at least had a plot, with stars giving cameos - this seems to be a bad imitation of those films. It's still a worthwhile film, but don't spend an arm and a leg trying to find it, it's not THAT great.

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

This one snuck under my radar after years of adoring Doris Day. Saw it yesterday. Glad I avoided it so long. I love the old "time capsule" type movies. Especially those designed to buoy morale during wartime. My favourite is "the human comedy". But this, oh my God. It's pretty corny. The two enlisted guys are an embarrassment. I wanted to punch them both. The musical numbers are so so. The budget didn't allow much beyond the salaries of the all star cast. All in all, the worst of its kind. Maybe Korea wasn't as important as WWII.

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.

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!