Hit the Deck

The golden age of the MGM musical ended neither with a bang nor a whimper, but rather on a pleasant note in this film that occasionally recalls the studio's glory days. But be forewarned: Hit the Deck is no On the Town, and Russ Tamblyn (Danny), Vic Damone (Rico), and Tony Martin (William) are not Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin. Unlike the latter trio who had just one day in the Big Apple, William and company are on 48-hour furlough in San Francisco. Jane Powell, appearing in her last MGM musical, costars as Danny's sister, Susan, who is trying out for the eponymous musical within a musical. Ann Miller (who was also in On the Town) appears as William's long-engaged girlfriend, while Debbie Reynolds is Carol, a dancer in the show. Gene Raymond costars as a womanizing actor with designs on Susan, with Kay Armen as Rico's widowed mother, and Walter Pidgeon as Danny's father, a Rear Admiral (also look for Alan King as a shore patrol officer). Hit the Deck has been swabbed pretty good for this Blu-ray debut, looking and sounding great. Of the songs, “Hallelujah” and “More Than You'll Know” are standouts, while Miller is a knockout in her big dance number, “The Lady from the Bayou,” and Reynolds and Tamblyn share a comical “A Kiss or Two.” A strong optional purchase. (D. Liebenson)