FOLLOW THE FLEET

Follow the Fleet
RKO, 1936, B/W, 110 minutes
Released February, 1936

All hands on deck! In the fifth of 10 Astaire / Rogers pairings, Fred trades his top hat for a sailor's cap. Randolph Scott gets the girl (pre-Nelson Harriet Hilliard), Ginger gets a tap solo - and viewers get the unending delight of seven sparkling Irving Berlin numbers, including "Let Yourself Go," "We Saw the Sea," "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket" and their sublimely powerful "Let's Face the Music and Dance."

Astaire is a hoofer-turned-swabbie. Rogers is his ex-partner Sherry, now convoying the Navy around a ballroom for 10 cents a dance. But one day the fleet returns to home port and the partnership is renewed - at least for one more show. In small early-career roles, catch a very blonde Lucille Ball and a very young Betty Grable.

Produced by: Pandro S. Berman
Directed by: Mark Sandrich
Screen Play by: Dwight Taylor and Allan Scott
Founded upon the Play "Shore Leave" by Hubert Osborne
As Produced by David Belasco
Musical Director: Max Steiner
Lyrics and Music by: Irving Berlin
Ensembles Staged by: Hermes Pan
Technical Advisor: Harvey S. Haislip, Commander, U.S.N., Retired
Art Director: Van Nest Polglase
Associate: Carroll Clark
Set Dressing by: Darrell Silvera
Gowns by: Bernard Newman
Recorded by: Hugh McDowell, Jr.
Music Recorded by: P. J. Faulkner, Jr.
Sound Cutter: George Marsh
Photographed by: David Abel
Phorographic Effects by: Vernon L. Walker
Edited by: Henry M. Berman

Cast: Fred Astaire [Bake Baker], Ginger Rogers [Sherry Martin], Randolph Scott [Bilge Smith], Harriet Hilliard [Connie Martin], Astrid Allwyn [Iris Manning], Harry Beresford [Capt. Ezra Hickey], Russell Hicks [Jim Nolan], Brooks Benedict [Sullivan, Nolan's Assistant], Ray Mayer [Dopey Williams], Lucille Ball [Kitty Collins], Addison Randall (aka Jack Randall) [Lt. Williams], Maxine Jennings [Hostess], Jane Hamilton [Waitress], Kay Sutton [Telephone Operator], Doris Lloyd [Mrs. Courtney], Huntley Gordon [Touring Officer], Jim Pierce [Bouncer], Herbert Rawlinson [Weber, Ballroom Manager], Gertrude Short [Dance Joint Cashier], George Magrill [Quartermaster], Bud Geary [Coxswain], Eric Wilton [Butler at Party], Betty Grable, Joy Hodges, Jeanne Gray [Trio], Thelma Leeds, Lita Chevret [Girls], Tony Martin, Frank Mills, Frank Jenks, Frank Sully, Edmund Burns, Frank Moran [Sailors], Dorothy Fleisman, Bob Cromer [Contest Dancers]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:01] We Saw the Sea (sung by Fred Astaire and Mens Chorus); [0:05] We Saw the Sea (reprised by Mens Chorus); [0:12] Let Yourself Go (sung by Ginger Rogers joined by Betty Grable, Joy Hodges and Jeanne Gray; danced by guests of the Paradise Ballroom); [0:21] Get Thee Behind Me Satan (sung by Harriet Hilliard); [0:25] Let Yourself Go (instrumental arrangement danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Bob Cromer and Dorothy Fleisman); [0:46] I'd Rather Lead a Band (sung and danced by Fred Astaire, then danced by Fred Astaire and Mens Chorus); [0:54] We Saw the Sea (reprised by Mens Chorus); [0:58] Let Yourself Go (instrumental arrangement danced by Ginger Rogers); [1:07] But Where Are You (sung by Harriet Hilliard); [1:21] I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket (sung and danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers); [1:41] Let's Face the Music and Dance (sung by Fred Astaire, danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers); [1:49] We Saw the Sea (short reprise sung by Fred Astaire and Mens Chorus at end of film)