Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS, July 8, 2008
BEAUTIFUL TRANSFER! Nice war time musical. Carmen shows her comedy side in this film and of course her over the top outfits! I won't go into the story line. If you're a Miranda fan, you'll enjoy this FOX TECHNICOLOR MUSICAL. Michael O'SHEA looks a little too old and his uniform is a few sizes too small...to bad they didn't cast PERRY COMO in this leading role. Also O'SHEA is not the best singer either...most all other cast members do a great job...EXCEPT...PHIL SILVERS who is loud and ANNOYING!
Carmen has two colorful production numbers, the first, typical Miranda, the second and last is Carmen in a totally different appearance THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST, a different 'short'costume than usual showing more leg...the lighting in this number is somewhat over the top...however, looks great in this pristine transfer. Only problem I had is in the EXTRA FEATURES: The "STILL GALLERY" feature in my copy doesn't allow my access to it...used two different DVD players and both had the same problem. The Film, Scenes, Trailer, and the SUPERB DOCUMENTARY are no problem. The documentary is in four parts...great interviews, vintage still photos and live performances, both candids and her FOX production numbers make this one of the best Documentaries out there...the Documentary is worth the price of this DVD ALONE! I give it 5 STARS...the 'still' problem may be in MY COPY ONLY...(don't let this deter you from puchasing this film). A MUST HAVE for the CARMEN MIRANDA FAN! THANK YOU FOX!!!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
it could have been better--but it could have been worse, May 25, 2009
(3.5 stars)
Something For The Boys could have been better; but then again it could have been far worse. The musical numbers are actually very well done except for one incredibly dated and embarrassing exception with Phil Silvers doing a short number in partial blackface. Ouch! On the brighter side again, the plot moves along nicely and this is essentially a light-hearted musical that you can enjoy. The choreography impressed me in those song and dance numbers; and I liked the cinematography as well.
When the action starts we quickly meet three cousins who have inherited a dilapidated and termite infested old Southern plantation called Magnolia Manor. The three cousins are street salesman Harry Hart (Phil Silvers), factory worker Chiquita Hart (Carmen Miranda) and entertainer Blossom Hart (Vivian Blaine). The three of them drop everything to go to Kentucky where they meet the lawyer who takes them to the "estate" and tells them they're on their own. They have no money to fix the place up; and so things look pretty bleak.
However, almost at the same time, Sergeant Laddie Green (Perry Como) and Sergeant Rocky Fulton (Michael O'Shea) drive up in their jeep and inform the three cousins that they want to buy the house, fix it up and use it as a boarding house for the wives of the military personnel training nearby. Needless to say, the cousins are thrilled; and they accept the offer. Part of the deal involves the wives of the military men putting on a show to raise money so that the Harts and the military can have enough money to make the old place shine again. Naturally, the house gets the royal treatment and sooner than you can blink they transform it into a fine home with beautiful grounds.
But, of course, other complications arise. Rocky and Blossom fall for each other pretty quickly; and that can be tough when his fiancée Melanie Walker (Sheila Ryan) shows up. Rocky no longer loves Melanie; she's just as pushy, rude and demanding as ever. Blossom is so upset she won't give Rocky a chance to explain. In addition, we get the unnecessary plot complication that because of the factory she worked in for so long, Chiquita has carborundum in her teeth that make her a human radio transmitter. (This has got to be the WACKIEST complication I've ever seen.)
The plot can go many different places from here and I don't want to spoil it for you. Will they be able to use Chiquita's teeth to their advantage as a radio signal transmitter? What about Melanie--will she be able to split up Blossom and Rocky for good? And what about the war maneuvers that the military personnel perform on the grounds of the plantation--to what extent do they interfere with life in the house? Will Harry be able to keep it all "hush hush" about the gambling action he has going on without the military knowing? Watch and find out! You'll also enjoy the documentary about Carmen Miranda entitled "The Girl From Rio."
Overall, Something For The Boys is a better than average musical with some great moments--but it also has some other moments I'd rather forget. Perry Como sings wonderfully but please don't ask him to act--he can't; and his "performance" in this picture proves it. However, the rest of what we get is mostly pretty good; and I do recommend this movie for fans of the actors in it. People who like light-hearted classic musicals will enjoy this film as well.
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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy no other version than this!, June 24, 2008
This film has been released so many times and always in poor quality. Not this time - this is a truly magnificent transfer. The vison and sound are the best!!!!! A bonus feature is to isolate the soundtrack - oh boy do you get a sound like no other - it is truly magnificent!!!!!!! I write this on behalf of Perry Como fans - buy this now - you will not be disappointed - thank you so much 20th Century Fox!!!!!!
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