This Is The Army
1943
Irving Berlin's musical tribute, THIS IS THE ARMY, honors the patriotic efforts of American soldiers during World Wars I and II. Berlin appears as himself, as does with singer Kate Smith, who delivers a rousing rendition of "God Bless America" for which she received the Congressional Gold Medal. Read more
| Starring | George Murphy, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Alan Hale |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Curtiz |
| Genres | Drama |
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This Is The Army
Irving Berlin's musical tribute, THIS IS THE ARMY, honors the patriotic efforts of American soldiers during World Wars I and II. Berlin appears as himself, as does with singer Kate Smith, who delivers a rousing rendition of "God Bless America" for which she received the Congressional Gold Medal.
| Starring | George Murphy, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Alan Hale, Charles Butterworth |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Curtiz |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 1 min |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: not available Production year: 1943 |
| Format | DVD |
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Most helpful member's review
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[Highly rated reviewer]
Old Glory
In production in 1942 for release in '43, this is one huge piece of recruitment propaganda, a very flimsy plot supporting a series of variety acts and musical numbers performed largely, if the credits can be believed, by members of the armed forces themselves, including Ronald Reagan and Joe Louis. It features some of Irving Berlin's worst songs, all of them with a military or patriotic theme. George Murphy was a pleasant light leading man and a good dancer, but he was no Crosby or Astaire, and, besides, he is sidelined completely by the endless tub-thumping jingoism which sits very uneasily today. Full of God Bless Americas, apron clad Moms wringing their hands while baking apple pie, G I Joes saying goodbye to their girls while telling them that this is war, stars and stripes - and, just when you think it couldn't get any more vomit-inducing - there's the blackface number! It's quite interesting watching the scene between Reagan and Murphy and reflecting that within forty years, they'd both be senators - at least - and seeing Irving Berlin himself appear at the end to sing, but you have to work at it. How this played at the time, I've no idea, but it's pretty hard to watch now. Michael Curtiz was a great director, but he's wasted here - he must have been persuaded that it would be good for the war effort: any bonds today?
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Most recent members' review
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[Highly rated reviewer]
Its work is done
This is not a bad film, it's just that it was produced for a very specific purpose for its time, and that time has now long past. While this is clearly a propaganda piece, it does managed to avoid being too jingoistic. The audience who saw it on its release would undoubtedly have had a strong emotional response to the film, since most of them would have had family or friends in the armed forces. Without that connection, there's little to draw you in here other than a rare appearance by Irving Berlin himself.
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- LaurenceScotford from Hove, England
- Posted 09 May 2009 17:01
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This Is The Army
Irving Berlin's musical tribute, THIS IS THE ARMY, honors the patriotic efforts of American soldiers during World Wars I and II. Berlin appears as himself, as does with singer Kate Smith, who delivers a rousing rendition of "God Bless America" for which she received the Congressional Gold Medal....
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