HIT THE DECK

US, 1955, 112 minutes, Colour.
Jane Powell, Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Debbie Reynolds, Ann Miller, Russ Tamblyn, Gene Raymond, Walter Pidgeon, Kay Armen, Alan King.
Directed by Roy Rowland.

Hit the Deck is an MGM musical of the 1950s, coming out in 1955, using the new Cinemascope cameras, offering spectacle as well a song and dance. But it was the final years of MGM contract actors and the end of the popularity of the musicals.

This one is perhaps on the second rung of musicals, coming at the time of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and the Sigmund Romberg biography, Deep in my Heart. While it uses some of the songs of Vincent Youmans and the Broadway show, it has a very slight plot, three sailors on leave (with echoes of On the Town), their romances, getting involved in a fight, the shore patrol trying to find them and the Admiral stepping in to cover for his son and daughter.

Tony Martin was a popular single at the time, but on screen not in the league of such singers as Howard Keel. Vic Damone was also popular as a singer rather than the actor but had appeared with Jane Powell in Rich, Young and Pretty. Russ Tamblyn was very young, had already made an impression in Seven Brides and was to be remembered always for his performance in West Side Story. Jane Powell had been very popular at MGM, Debbie Reynolds was full of life – and, unlike the others, was to have life in film from many decades, moving to comedy and serious roles. Ann Miller showed once again what a talented tap dancer and screen presence she was.

There are some veterans in the cast including Walter Pidgeon as the Admiral, Jane Darwell as the maid, Gene Raymond as the Broadway star and, veterans in future decades, Richard Anderson as the lieutenant and Alan King as one of the shore patrol. The film introduced Kay Armen, popular as a singer, who made only a few films – which, given her screen presence, is a great pity.

The film was directed by Roy Rowland, not a noted director of musicals, but a director who could make films in many genres.

1. The popularity of MGM musicals of the 1950s? This film late in the day? Its appeal, up to MGM standard?

2. The screenplay based on a Broadway show, Hit the Deck? Incorporating of the songs by Vincent Youmans, Why and Wherefore…? The performances of the songs, the range of singers and their popularity at the time, the dance routines?

3. Use of Cinemascope, the Arctic and the exercises, the kitchen, the party? The jungle? San Francisco and its wealthy homes, the theatre, hotels and departments, flower shops…?

4. The focus on the three sailors, Bill, Rico, Danny? The atmosphere of the Navy, the commanders, the birthday cake? On leave in San Francisco? Bill and his going to see Ginger, the six years engagement, her exasperation? Rico and his going to see his mother? Danny and his going to see his father and his sister? His keeping his identity as son of the Admiral from all his friends? His father wanting him to go to Annapolis?

5. Rico, his mother, her friendliness with Mr Peroni, his shock at the age of her son, his mother’s strength of mind and character, liking Mr Peroni, the incident with the flowers, the happy ending for his mother? Singing Alleluia with the chorus?

6. Danny, at home, his father’s strictness, the navy family tradition, Susan and her wanting to be in the Broadway show, going to the audition, to the hotel? Danny trying to track the address? The encounter with Carol, the rehearsals, her performance, his getting into the dance routines? The three going to the hotel, the confrontation with Wendell Craig, the fight, damage to his eye? Rescuing Susan, her explaining she didn’t want to be rescued, her choices? The audition, her singing, getting a job?

7. The shore patrol, characters, comedy, tracking down the three, even to the theatre performance and getting involved in it? Going to the Admiral’s home, having his name and address? His sending them out again, rounding up all the shore patrol to track them down?

8. Susan and her clash with Rico, finding him intrusive, the song routine, his accompanying her, falling in love with him, he in love with her?

9. Ginger, Ann Miller and her performances, her dancing skills? The hard-boiled character, the comedy with Bill? Turning him in? Going to Rico’s home? Walking out? The issues of whether he proposed to her and not, the others urging him on, finally?

10. Bill, in charge, with the others, with Ginger? The fight?

11. Carol, song and dance, liking Danny, getting the huff with him, the phone call, the routine in the haunted house at the fair?

12. At the Admiral’s house, Jenny the maid, covering for the children? The argument with their father, his acknowledging the difficulty of having an Admiral as a father? The issue with Wendell Craig, his injuries, having a wife, Lt Jackson and the negotiations, withdrawing the charges – and everybody happy ever after?

13. The slight plot – but giving the opportunities for both songs and dances?