Follow The Fleet (1936)

Two sailors on shore leave in San Francisco get involved with two women with different intentions and results. One (Fred Astaire) wants to reunite with the dance partner (Ginger Rogers) who turned his offer of marriage down, the other (Randolph Scott) catches the eye of a school teacher (Harriet Hilliard, later known as Harriet Nelson) but he doesn't want to be tied down. Based on the 1922 play SHORE LEAVE by Hubert Osborne and directed by Mark Sandrich (who did five of the Astaire & Rogers musicals). Though its plot is derivative, this is one of the most thoroughly enjoyable of the Astaire & Rogers vehicles. The big bonus is the melodic and clever Irving Berlin score which includes such gems as Let Yourself Go, I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket and one of their signature numbers, Let's Face The Music And Dance. The rather dull romantic plot with Scott and Hilliard makes us appreciate the sass and verve of the Astaire & Rogers pairing all the more. Hilliard, unfortunately, is saddled with one of those annoying clinging vine roles chasing after a man who's not only not interested but treats her like crap. With Lucille Ball, Betty Grable and Astrid Allwyn.