CALL ME MISTER

US, 1951, 95 minutes, Colour.
Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Danny Thomas, Dale Robertson, Richard Boone.
Directed by Lloyd Bacon.

Call Me Mister has the popular team of Betty Grable and Dan Dailey (Mother Wore Tights, My Blue Heaven). They get to sing and dance. Danny Thomas also appears and has the opportunity to crack jokes and sing. The supporting cast includes Dale Robertson and a quick early appearance of Jeffrey Hunter.

The setting is the end of the war, American GIs in Japan, the entertainment units. The film is based on a popular military revue for morale purposes. The film was directed by Lloyd Bacon, veteran director of many musicals and thrillers. The dances are staged, characteristically but mildly, by Busby Berkley.

1.Popular post-war musical comedy?

2.The teaming of Betty Grable and Dan Dailey, Danny Thomas early in his career? Songs, choreography by Busby Berkley?

3.The Japanese settings, the atmosphere of the end of the war? American occupation?

4.The old theme of putting on a show, Kay and her working in entertainment, interviewing officers, auditioning the soldiers, casting, rehearsals, the show? For morale purposes?

5.Japan, the occupying forces, American homesickness?

6.Kay and Shep, their marriage, separation, Shep's reputation, trying to sell his dancing shoes, attitudes of authorities? AWOL, going to the rehearsals, the song and dance routines, the happy ending and their being reunited?

7.Stanley as cook, his song and dance routines, his cracking jokes? Billie and her friendship with Kay, the attraction towards Stanley?

8.The commanding officer, his attraction towards Kay, attentions towards her?

9.A pleasant but conventional piece of Americana?