Two Words, One Answer.
before Julie
 Before Sunset $2.99 Best Foot Forward is an excellent MGM movie with laughs, action and musical numbers that pack a punch! There's Harry James & His Orchestra; Lucille Ball, Nancy Walker in her film debut, June Allyson and more. The plot moves along at a very good pace and with the musical numbers you won't be bored. The cinematography is excellent and I was particularly impressed with the choreography; the scenes in which they have the senior prom are superlative. The other casting worked well, too. When the action starts, we quickly meet young Bud Hooper (Tommy Dix) who's in a bit of trouble, to say the least. He has written a fan letter to Lucille Ball; and unbeknownst to him and the others at Winsocki Military Academy, Lucille Ball's luck in films has turned so sour that she is actually headed to Bud's senior prom to be his date--and get some publicity to win back her Hollywood fame and fortune. Trouble is, however, that Bud's girlfriend Helen Schlesinger (Virginia Weidler) is coming to be with Bud because he told her he had the flu--so that she would stay away! Lots of problems start to happen real fast when Helen arrives unexpectedly at Bud's school and she sees that Bud is perfectly fine--and going with Lucille Ball as his date to the senior prom. If that isn't enough to get some action going, there's also the issue that Bud needs Lucille to go by his girlfriend's name Helen; before Bud knew Lucille was really coming he told his school that Helen would in fact be his date for the prom. Lucille isn't happy about this but with a little bit of prodding, partly from her agent Jack O'Riley (William Gaxton), she decides to play along and hopes that she'll get some good publicity at the prom with Bud and his two other roommates Hunk (Jack Jordan) and "Dutch" Miller (Kenny Bowers). We also meet Nancy (Nancy Walker) who plays a young girl on a blind date to help her father's potential business deal, but when Nancy sees her date "Greenie" (Bob Stebbins) she's not exactly happy, either. The musical numbers are excellent. We get Harry James & His Orchestra playing swing music and more of the day an there's even a brief version of "Flight of the Bumble Bee." Look also for Nancy, Ethel (June Allyson) and Minerva (Gloria DeHaven) to sing a grand tune called "The Three Bs." Of course, the plot can go anywhere from here. When Helen shows up at the prom and sees Bud dancing with Lucille, she starts a "souvenir collecting" riot that results in Lucille's dress being torn off to leave Lucille standing there in her slip! Will Helen ever be able to forgive Bud? What about the school officials including Major Reeber (Henry O'Neill) and Captain Bradd (Donald MacBride)--how will they discipline Bud or otherwise handle this situation? And will Nancy find love? No plot spoilers here, folks--watch and find out! The DVD has an extra entitled The Knight Is Young; this is quite good. In addition, there's a cartoon entitled One Ham's Family. Best Foot Forward is quite funny and the musical numbers along with the plot are excellent. I highly recommend this film for people who enjoy classic movie musicals; and fans of the great Lucille Ball will not be disappointed.  The Night Before Kindergarten $3.99 I bought this book for my grandson - he was apprehensive about "going to the big school". So I sent the book to him as a little gift. My daughter read it to him several times.She said it was wonderful and helped to calm his fears.  Before Sunrise $2.99 I love this film and found it on a whim from a friends suggestion its a great intellectual film. Peace TMU |
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