Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

MartinHafer Casey Kirby (William Holden) is a nice guy sailor who is very, very slow with women. However, after a female starlet grabs him and kisses him as part of a publicity stunt, the other sailors think he's some sort of stud. Later, the sailors all have a bet that he'll be able to get a kiss from a pretty singer called 'the Countess' (Dorothy Lamour). However, Casey doesn't care about the bet and behaves like a gentleman when he goes out on a date with the Countess. However, when her friend Bessie (Betty Hutton) finds out about the bet, she tells the Countess who becomes furious with Casey--even though Casey's done nothing wrong nor did he have any evil intentions. What's to become of Casey and the Countess? Will he kiss her and will they fall in love after all?While the plot to this film is agreeable fluff, the film is hindered by being too packed full of songs. Every time the plot starts gaining momentum, there are several songs to derail the movie. Now the songs might have worked if it wasn't for the fact that they were all inserted in as production numbers and were naturally integrated into the film-- but they weren't. It also didn't help that Lamour's character went from being a nice lady to an angry jerk like the drop of a hat! On top of that the film is hindered by having Betty Hutton--a very brash and obnoxious actress whose appeal I have never understood!! Subtle, she ain't! And, practically every time she delivered a line, she screamed it!! It also didn't help that her character was also so broadly written that I practically hated every scene in which she appeared! Had they killed Hutton and eliminated a few songs, the movie would have been a cute little romantic comedy. But, as it is, it's not one of Holden's finer moments. In fact, I'd probably skip this one.By the way, the only actor in this film who actually came off well was Holden. He was agreeable and pleasant--unlike practically everyone else.

Uriah43 This movie is a pure joy to watch. Filmed during the onset of the American involvement during World War II, an American sailor named "Casey Kirby" (William Holden) is accidentally mistaken for a ladies' man and bets are taken aboard his ship as to whether he can get a certain woman named "The Countess" (Dorothy Lamour) to kiss him in public. The problem is that the Countess is famous throughout the fleet for her ability to resist the charms of men and Casey doesn't really know much about dating. Anyway, what makes this film so special is the innocence of Casey pitted against the suspicious nature of the Countess. Likewise, the music of Jimmy Dorsey and his band was tailor-made for this film. That said, I especially enjoyed the singing of Bob Eberly and the beautiful Helen O'Connell. Additionally, Betty Hutton (as "Bessie Dale") and Eddie Bracken (as "Barney Waters") were very amusing as well. The only things I didn't like about this film were the skits involving "Lorraine & Rognan" and "Cissy" (Cass Dailey). But even so, the good parts of this movie certainly outweighed the bad. In short, if a person is looking for a good, clean comedy then this film is definitely worth viewing.

equine80 The Fleet's In is a wonderful musical comedy that viewers will find irresitable. The star studded cast keeps you laughing throughout the entire movie and with Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra backing the singers how can anyone help but singing along to the catchy songs? Over all I'd say that the Fleet's In will endear it's self to anyone who watches it.

ecollier Overall, not much of a movie - the plot is predictable, dialogue is drippy, comedy is corny. The basic premise of the movie is that a sailor (William Holden) has been "tricked" into a bet by his shipmate (Mr. Eddie Bracken - outstanding, as usual). The object or conquest - try to get a "beautiful" but very unapproachable night club singer (Dorothy Lamour) to kiss him while he's in town on a weekend leave. To be perfectly honest, by the time the movie is 90% complete, one doesn't care if he wins the bet or not!! The cast includes so many unknown "featured" acts that, I'm sure, were funny at the time. The only problem is, their particular style of performing doesn't withstand the test of time. And the humor falls flat with a resounding THUD! THE main reason for watching this movie can be summed up with two words - Betty Hutton!!! This was her very first picture for Paramount and, despite being featured only as a "supporting" player, literally walks away with the film. Her boundless energy and all-out frenetic performing style is refreshing and magical!! Her voice is smooth, her comedic wit is sharp, and her genuine love of entertaining is infectious!! (Oh so apparent as she sings "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing In A Hurry" -WOW!!) In other words, unless you are a "dyed in the wool" Hutton devotee or enjoy watching the comedic sparring of "Betty vs. Bracken" - bypass this movie. A better evening could be spent watching the Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis remake entitled "Sailors Beware" (with a cameo by Betty Hutton).