Three Sailors and a Girl

An American submarine docks for shore leave in New York City. The sailors decide to invest their money in a Broadway musical, instead of spending it on women. The presence of Jack Larson and Merv Griffin among the sailors somehow makes this seem more plausible. The "Three Sailors…" of the title are singer Gordon MacRae (as "Choirboy" Jones), dancer Gene Nelson (as "Twitch"), and rotund comedian Jack E. Leonard (as "Porky"). They meet promising musical comedy star Jane Powell (as Penny Weston), "…and a Girl" completes the title. She wears some sexy costumes, to show off her hourglass figure. Also watch for the service station dance solo from Mr. Nelson.

**** Three Sailors and a Girl (11/23/53) Roy Del Ruth ~ Jane Powell, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Jack E. Leonard

'Choirboy' Jones (Gordon MacRae), Twitch, and Porky are sailors on a US submarine. They are docking in Brooklyn for extensive repairs. The Captain gives the boys 30-day leave. Jones tells the crew that they're going to waste all their pay. Instead, he convinces them to collect their pay, fifty guys with $1k each, and invest it. The trio first head to the stock market. Producer Joe Woods (Sam Levene) and singer Penny Weston (Jane Powell) are there to pitch a Broadway show. They are thrown out of the building. The trio follows the lady with the legs.

I don't love opera or the crooning. Otherwise, I'm fine with the songs. Nothing stands out. There is a basic problem with Choirboy. He has to be smart enough for the guys to trust him with their money. Yet, he's dumb enough to invest in a Broadway show. The solution should be that he's a finance nerd who falls head over heels for Penny. That's the sweet spot to hit. I can do without the black-face joke, but it's the 50's. The story is a mess and I don't care much about it. Gordon MacRae is still not star material as far as I'm concerned. I do love Jane Powell. All in all, this is a borderline musical.

Jane Powell and Gordon MacRae, supported by Gene Nelson and Jack E. Leonard, are the stars that carry this musical comedy. Powell displays real beauty (accented by some sharp fashions) while singing and dancing up a storm. MacRae's voice may be the best part of this film.

Jack E. Leonard appears in his first film. A stand-up comic better known for his appearances on television variety shows like "The Mike Douglas Show" or "The Merv Griffin Show", Leonard displays great energy and a surprising lightness on his feet.

The film is about the evolution of a stage musical that is backed by some sailors (and later, some marines). It starts off as a dog, but eventually becomes a hit. The film takes a similar path; it is only in the final act that "Three Sailors" feels like a solid piece of entertainment.

Look for Merv Griffin himself as a sailor. Burt Lancaster contributes a comic cameo.

As musical comedies go, this film is a lightweight, but it has moments that are entertaining.

MGM made a ton of musicals over the years and the studio was the best for the genre. Some of them were terrific...some, well, were far from it. I would put "Three Sailors and a Girl" in the latter category.

The USS Texas has arrived in New York for shore leave (a VERY long one apparently). Before leaving the ship, three buddies come up with an interesting idea...that ALL of the sailors aboard pool their money. Then, the three pals set out to find a good investment for their shipmates. They come upon a jerk named Joe Woods, who sells them on the notion of investing their money in his latest musical show. They decide to do this because his leading lady, Penny (Jane Powell), has a gorgeous voice (at least according to the film). However, the play ends up being a flop...mostly due to a ham of an actor who is in the lead. Fortunately, he quits...and so does the producer! Now, without them, one of the sailors (Gordon MacRae) decides to play the lead AND producer! What next?

I had a hard time with this movie compared to some viewers because I found Powell's voice painful to listen to...as it was VERY high pitched and operatic. Like Jeanette MacDonald, you either love that style of leading lady or you don't. Apart from her singing, the movie was decent and enjoyable...but that WAS a big part of the film.

The title should tip you off that inventiveness and originality will be in severely rationed supply here.