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True to the Army
Paramount Pictures
Released: March 21, 1942
Runtime: 77 minutes
This was Allan Jones' first war-musical. He doesn’t get that much of a chance to sing, but has a chance to showcase his acting ability by playing the fiery and energetic Broadway musical producer. Judy Canova steals the show with her comical singing, and, as always, Ann Miller dazzles the audience with her spectacular tap dancing.
Pvt. Stephen Chandler is an ambitious Broadway musical producer in an army camp doing all can to put on a show for morale. In his efforts to get the soldiers to cooperate during rehearsals, he is constantly interrupted by the sound of a bugle or machine gun. Pvt. “Pinky” Fothergill, the chief carrier pigeon trainer and aspiring magician sends a message to his sweetheart, Daisy Hawkins, a singing tight-rope walker at a circus. She sings, “Spangles on My Tights,” and from her bird’s eye view, she witnesses the Drake gang murder the circus owner, Mr. Carter. She confronts them and tries to stop them, but they soon turn onto her and begin her crazy runaway adventure. Not only is she in a matter of life and death with the gangsters, but the police are also at her heels to give a testimony. She escapes to the army camp to hide with Pinky.
When she first gets to the camp, Daisy finds herself tangled up in the auditions for the female singing role in Steven’s show. Thinking she is a man dressed up, Stephen asks her to sing something. She sings “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby,” making sure to sing loud enough so Pinky can hear her. He comes in at the last minute and rushes her to his cabin. Pinky goes over to Stephen and convinces him to help hide Daisy. At the same time, Vicki Marlow, the general’s daughter walks by, and Stephen drags her inside, thinking she is Daisy. He sends her away while she plays along. Pinky comes back with Daisy, and Stephen realizes his mistake. The two then transform Daisy by cutting her hair and putting her in a uniform. Meanwhile, a member of the Drake gang has purchased a phony police badge and plans to visit the army camp.
The next day, Daisy receives a medal for marksmanship during shooting practice. Vicki Marlow is in her father’s quarters is tapping away to the beats of a machine gun (which is pretty amazing). Stephen, who had been instantly drawn to her from the beginning, sees her through the window and insists that she dance in his show. Soon after, all the soldiers must meet for a medical exam due to a measles outbreak. Pinky and Stephen try to distract the doctors from Daisy as much as they can and eventually get away in time. Stephen surprises Vicki in her father’s quarters again and has her listen to a love song he wrote. He goes to the piano and sings, “Need I Speak.” He then kisses her but she tells him to leave. He describes how the song was inspired by her and reprises the last few bars of the song. She falls for him and they embrace.
Next, some of the soldiers decide to take Daisy out to the “Hot House” for a day with the guys. Nervous the whole time, she eventually lets loose when they put her on the dance floor with a girl. They jitterbug away while the soldiers cheer on. Without thinking, she then uses the girl’s compact to powder her nose. Just to her luck, the Drake gang happens to be there and tries to pursue her. The group of soldiers come to her defense and starts a fight. Pinky and Stephen come to take her away. On the night of the show, Vicki sings and dances to “Jitterbug’s Lullaby,” and Pinky does a magic routine with Daisy. However, the Drake gang is there again, this time with a sharpshooter. They try to hit her but the shots are off just enough to blend in with the magic show. For the next number Daisy returns to stage and sings, “Wacky for Khaki” and uses her sharp shooting skills to bump off the gangsters while making it look like part of the performance. The police come to carry them off and the show continues. For the finale, Stephen, Daisy, Vicki, and Pinky come on with a parade of marching soldiers singing “In the Army.” The show is a hit and all is well.
Credits
Director…Albert S. Rogell
Writers…Art Arthur, Val Burton, Edmund L. Hartman, Edward Hope (novel “She Loves Me Not”), Howard Lindsay (play), Bradford Ropes
Producer…Jules Schermer, Sol C. Siegel
Cinematography…Daniel L. Fapp
Film Editing…Alma Macrorie
Sound Department…Harry D. Mills (sound mixer)
Art Director…Hans Dreier, William Flannery
Music Department/Director…Victor Young
Original Music…Joseph J. Lilley, Jimmy McHugh, Harold Spina
Cast
Judy Canova…Daisy Hawkins
Allan Jones…Pvt. Stephen Chandler
Ann Miller…Vicki Marlow
Jerry Colonna…Pvt. “Pinky” Fothergill
Clarence Kolb…Gen. Marlowe
Edward Pawley…Junior
William Wright…Lt. Danvers
William Demarest…Sgt. Butts
Edwin Miller…Ice
Arthur Loft…Ray
Gordon Jjones..Pvt. Dugan
Rod Cameron…Pvt. O’Toole
Eddie Acuff…Sgt. Riggs
Edgar Dearing…Target sergeant
Mary Treen…Mae
Selmer Jackson…Congressman
Soundtrack
• “Love in Bloom”
o Possibly sung by Judy Canova
o Written by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin
• “Spangles on My Tights”
o Sung by Judy Canova
o Music: Harold Spina
o Lyrics: Frank Loesser
• “Jitterbug’s Lullaby”
o Sung/Danced by Ann Miller and Chorus
o Music: Harold Spina
o Lyrics: Frank Loesser
• “Need I speak”
o Sung/accompanied on piano by Allan Jones
o Music: Harold Spina
o Lyrics: Frank Loesser
• “Wacky for Khaki”
o Sung by Judy Canova
o Music: Harold Spina
o Lyrics: Frank Loesser
• “In the Army”
o Sung by male chorus in opening credits, Sung briefly by group of soldiers, Sung by Allan Jones and chorus at end scene
o Music: Harold Spina
o Lyrics: Frank Loesser
• “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby”
o Sung by Judy Canova
o Music: Jimmy McHugh
o Lyrics: Dorothy Fields