Follow the Fleet (1936)

A Navy sailor tries to rekindle a romance with the woman he loves while on liberty in San Francisco.

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Writers:

Dwight Taylor (screen play), Allan Scott (screen play)

Stars:

Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fred Astaire	...	Bake Baker
Ginger Rogers	...	Sherry Martin
Randolph Scott	...	Bilge Smith
Harriet Nelson	...	Connie Martin (as Harriet Hilliard)
Astrid Allwyn	...	Mrs. Iris Manning
Betty Grable	...	Singer in Trio
Harry Beresford	...	Captain Hickey
Russell Hicks	...	Jim Nolan
Brooks Benedict	...	David Sullivan
Ray Mayer	...	Dopey Williams
Lucille Ball	...	Kitty Collins

Storyline

When the fleet puts in at San Francisco, sailor Bake Baker tries to rekindle the flame with his old dancing partner, Sherry Martin, while Bake's buddy Bilge Smith romances Sherry's sister Connie. But it's not all smooth sailing: Bake has a habit of losing Sherry's jobs for her; and despite Connie's dreams, Bilge is not ready to settle down.

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Plot Keywords:

remake | sailor | dancing | navy | fake crying | 

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Taglines:

Fun Aboard! (1953 re-release)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Follow the Fleet

Box Office

Budget:

$747,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 80 min (re-release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (R C A Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the final dance sequence on the boat it is possible to see Fred Astaire hit in the face by Ginger Rogers' beaded sleeve. The sequence was shot again 23 times in the hope of capturing the magic of that take without the accident, but it wasn't to be, and this original take was used.

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Quotes

Sherry Martin: Honey, why don't you admit it, you're lonesome. Some men aren't half bad.
Connie Martin: I don't know why? I just seem to frighten them away.
Sherry Martin: You look too darn intelligent. You know, it isn't that gentlemen really prefer blondes, it's just that we look dumber.

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Connections

Featured in Pennies from Heaven (1981)

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Soundtracks

We Saw the Sea
(1936) (uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Played during the opening credits
Performed by Fred Astaire and chorus
Also played as dance music

User Reviews

One Of My Favorite Astaire-Rogers Films

This is one of the best Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers films, or at least one of my favorites. Most of the A-R movies feature great dancing but sappy romance stories. This still has the courtship corniness but not as pronounced as the other films.

This movie features not just great dancing but likable characters and a bunch of good songs. The music is the central theme here and what's nice is the addition of a tap solo by Rogers. She not only was a super dancer but a very pretty woman and one with tremendous figure. She dances also with Fred, of course, and they're always a fun pair to watch on the dance floor.

Growing up in the 1950s watching "Ozzie & Harriet" on television, it was a real kick the first time I saw this to see such a young Harriet Hilliard. No surprise than Ozzie fell for this beauty. Although she had that short early '30s hairstyle, I recognized her voice right away. Also in this movie are quick appearances by Betty Grable and Lucille Ball, but I have to admit that I have yet to out Ball. I can't find her, but I know she's in here.

Astaire, except for some obnoxious gum-chewing in the first third of the film, was fun to watch and Randolph Scott - although better in westerns - is likable, too.

This is simply a nice, feel-good film and good one if you want to to enjoy the great talents of Astaire and Rogers.