After years of reading about this movie, I finally got to see Best Foot Forward last week though the DVD I borrowed from the library was defective since the picture started-and-stopped during the beginning credits and also the first number so I waited to order another copy from Netflix which I just watched. Lucille Ball played herself as a very popular movie star though she probably wasn't as popular in real life at the time as she was so depicted in the movie. And, of course, her characterization is much different from the one that really made her such a success a decade later when she and hubby Desi Arnaz starred on TV in "I Love Lucy". Still, she brings the funny in her wisecracks and in being humiliated quite a few times so in that way, she wasn't too different from her usual characterization. Anyway, this was a wonderfully contrived musical comedy about a cadet from Winsocki writing to Ms. Ball about going to the prom with him since his real girlfriend wasn't initially going to show up. The girlfriend is played by Virginia Weidler-a former child actor whose last film this turned out to be. There's also some good female singers in the cast like Gloria DeHaven and June Allyson. Oh, and comedienne Nancy Walker does self-depreciation in making fun of her looks to a fine art as well as provide some brassy charm when doing her Big Band numbers especially during the "Alive and Kickin'" song she clowns in with musician Harry James who also provide some additional great numbers. The songs by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane are tunefully enjoyable. So on that note, I highly recommend Best Foot Forward. P.S. The reason I watched this just now was because since I've been reviewing the Our Gang comedies the past several months, I decided to also review films outside of the series which had individual members appearing like Darwood "Waldo" Kaye as a young student named "Killer"! Also, Sara Haden, who had played Miss Pipps in the series short Come Back, Miss Pipps, appears here as Miss Talbert.

I liked the movie - especially the reprise of Buckle Down Winsocki - Tommy Dix wonderful baritone for his age.What ever happened to TOMMY DIX???? from 1955 until now I do not know:BUT......in one blurb I read on the web - in mentioned that he was interested in physics. As he would now be 80??? maybe he got into the sciences??? Some of the others from the play seem to have gone to University??I cant say - between 1944-54 (ten years) - but he is still mentioned as a Broadway Star....1955: Found him through research on the web from the February 2003 Newsletter by "Birmingham Historical Society" Alabama about their historical Clarke Theatre dedication. 1955 opening production of BEST FOOT FORWARD.Tommy Dix photo sing his song on page 2w/the cast;info page 3; (.PDF file) Denotes that Hugh Martin, Jr, a AL native and composer (see best foot forward crew) helped stage this production - I guess he got Dix to come down for the Play??1944 - August 25, 1944 - noted as at the Copley's Oval Room - CAMBRIDGE, MASS noted as the Winsocki Kid,-Tommy Dix. To be interviewed on a radio show says the school newspaper 'THE TECH' Page 2 yup!!! MIT archives...... vol 064 S0112 P002 text '1944'1944 Andy Hardy's 'Blonde Trouble' movie Tommy Dix as 'Mark' --- 1943 'Best Foot Forward' Movie Tommy Dix as 'Elwood'. 1941 Sunday October 8, one week after show opens?? With vocalist Tom Dix, the Benny Goodman Orchestra recorded "Buckle Down Winsocki" on the Columbia label. 'Best Foot Forward' Broadway show at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, NY Opening: Oct 1,1941-Jul 4, 1942-Total Performances: 326 11/26/1940 - The Corn is Green -Broadway show - Tommy Dix as Ensemble. Opening: Nov 26,1940 Closing: Jan 17, 1942 Total Performances: 47711/11/1940 - 'Career of Tommy Dix' Time magazine archives. Here noted as aged 15 in Manhattan - just starting out. Mom sick, widowed two years earlier...gets picked up at the MET and sings baritone.... etc.4/1/1930 Under a Texas Moon movie premier Tommy Dix as 'Tom' age 6?Maybe His Dad was an actor - ????Anyone else know anything else about Mr. Tommy Dix.???

Enjoyed viewing this old timer from 1943 and seeing Lucille Ball acting as herself and getting plenty of laughs. In this film, Lucille's career is sort of fading and her agent thinks it is a good idea for her to get some press coverage by becoming a date for a Senior Prom at Winsocki Military Academy. The lucky guy is Bud Hooper, who at the same time has a girl friend who wants to go with him to the prom also. June Allyson, (Ethel) does some fancy dance steps and sings a few tunes, which sort of launched her career in films. There is some great entertainment from Harry James and his orchestra, he plays a great version of "Flight of the Bumble Bee" and also does a funny dance routine with Nancy Walker, who really was the great comic in the film and got most of the laughs. This is definitely a look back in the past, with plenty of 1943 entertainment. Enjoy

I usually don't like movies wherein stars "play themselves" but cable TV plays this movie so often I've seen it like a million times and each time I catch something different. The story is somewhat contrived and, true-to-form, movie star (as opposed to TV star) Lucille has a hard time getting rid of her somewhat brassy edge. She herself has commented that this trait held her back in films. Toward the end, however, she does soften up, especially in the hilarious Marx Brothersesque scene in the dormitory when everybody has to hide in closets to keep from getting busted by the general. I can envision this picture playing during the war as the second feature. It's one of those movies that, in the days when you could stay at the movies all day, you wouldn't mind coming in in the middle of it and then staying later to catch just the beginning. Harry James is a surprisingly good dancer and his scene with little Nancy Walker is good. All-in-all a good movie to watch on a rainy day or when you're home sick with the flu.