This Is the Army
Seen it?1943 | 121 min | Comedy, Music, War
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It won an Oscar, though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- One for anyone interested in what war does to people and fans of a well-timed joke. It puts you in the middle of the fighting, and doesn't let you forget the cost. Fans of Kelly's Heroes or The Great Dictator should feel right at home.
- The mood
- Light and funny, intense.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 2 hr 1 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1943: an older pace and style.
- Not the pick if you want something heavy or meaningful.
In WW I dancer Jerry Jones stages an all-soldier show on Broadway, called Yip Yip Yaphank. Wounded in the War, he becomes a producer. In WW II his son Johnny Jones, who was before his fathers assistant, gets the order to stage a knew all-soldier show, called THIS IS THE ARMY. But in his pesonal life he has problems, because he refuses to marry his fiancée until the war is over.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best Original Musical Score. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$10 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 23K people sought it out in the past year
Behind the scenes
A few things you might not know about the making of This Is the Army.
George Brent was also offered the role of Major (then Colonel) Davidson, which was played in the film by Stanley Ridges, but Brent refused to work without being paid.
ProductionFrances Langford sings the song "What Does He Look Like?", but it was originally offered to Dinah Shore, who turned it down because she felt the lyrics made it more appropriate for a man to sing it.
Production"My British Buddy", also sung by Irving Berlin, was cut from the film, but was released on DVD.
Musical numbersIt was originally added to the British production of the stage musical.
Musical numbers
More like this
Kelly's Heroes
Saturday SpecialAnother war comedy, and a Saturday Special.
The Great Dictator
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed war comedy.
Catch-22 Saturday SpecialAnother war story, and a Saturday Special.
Hot Shots! Part Deux Sunday Safe BetAnother comedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Airheads
Weeknight WatchAnother comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Michael Curtiz
- George MurphyJerry Jones
- Joan LeslieEileen Dibble
- George TobiasMaxie Twardofsky
- Alan HaleSergeant McGee
- Charles ButterworthEddie Dibble
- Dolores CostelloMrs. Davidson
- Una MerkelRose Dibble
- Stanley RidgesJohn Davidson
- Rosemary DeCampEthel Jones
- Ruth DonnellyMrs. O'Brien