Something for the Boys (1944)
Directed by Lewis Seiler and released by 20th Century-Fox on November 1, 1944, Something for the Boys is a Technicolor musical comedy adapted from the 1943 Broadway show by Herbert and Dorothy Fields, with music originally by Cole Porter. The film stars Carmen Miranda, Michael O’Shea, Vivian Blaine, and Phil Silvers, and features Perry Como in his screen debut. It runs approximately 87 minutes and blends wartime themes with romantic entanglements and showbiz antics.
Plot Summary
Three cousins—Chiquita Hart (Carmen Miranda), a radio-receiving machinist; Blossom Hart (Vivian Blaine), a revue singer; and Harry Hart (Phil Silvers), a fast-talking con man—inherit a dilapidated Southern plantation called Magnolia Manor. The property is riddled with termites and tax problems, but nearby Army sergeant Rocky Fulton (Michael O’Shea) proposes converting it into a hotel for military wives.
To raise funds, the trio stages a musical revue, leading to romantic complications, military mix-ups, and comic misunderstandings. Chiquita’s eccentric behavior and Blossom’s budding romance with Rocky drive much of the action, while Harry’s schemes add chaos. Perry Como plays Sergeant Laddie Green, contributing several musical numbers.
Cast
- Carmen Miranda as Chiquita Hart
- Michael O’Shea as Sgt. Ronald “Rocky” Fulton
- Vivian Blaine as Blossom Hart
- Phil Silvers as Harry Hart
- Sheila Ryan as Melanie Walker
- Perry Como as Sgt. Laddie Green
- Glenn Langan as Lt. Ashley Crothers
Production Notes and Trivia
- The screenplay was written by Robert Ellis, Helen Logan, and Frank Gabrielson, adapting the Fields’ stage musical
- Music was composed by Leigh Harline and Cyril J. Mockridge, replacing Cole Porter’s original score from the Broadway version
- Carmen Miranda’s role was tailored to her persona, including her trademark Portuguese-accented English and flamboyant costumes
- Perry Como’s appearance marked his transition from radio to film, launching a successful screen career
- The film was part of a wave of wartime musicals that offered escapism and morale-boosting entertainment
- Though the plot references military life and wartime conditions, it avoids direct commentary on World War II, focusing instead on lighthearted romance and comedy
- The film earned approximately $1.25 million at the box office and was well received for its energy and star power
