All it took was a boy, a letter, and a movie star.
No, this isn't the story of the lucky Marine who scored a date with actress Mila Kunis for the Marine Corps Ball, but of a young fan who scored a date for his prom with Lucille Ball. The Marines probably haven't been passing around a copy of 1943's Best Foot Forward, but their latest approach to dating has all the earmarks of the classic musical.
Adapted from a successful Broadway production, Best Foot Forward is the story of an actress (Lucille Ball) whose star is fading fast. Her publicity agent (William Gaxton) convinces her to escort a lovesick military cadet (Tommy Dix) to his prom, hoping to boost her image in Hollywood. The problem is, the boy's not pining for Lucy anymore, but for his hometown sweetheart Helen Schlessenger (Virginia Weidler). Hilarity ensues as Ball tries to dodge amorous boys and jealous girls - all to the tune of Harry James and His Music Makers.
Directed by Edward Buzzell, Best Foot Forward is a fun glimpse into Lucille Ball's early career at MGM and a showcase for talented up-and-comers like June Allyson and Nancy Walker.
Lucille Ball as Herself...Sort Of
Lucille Ball had already been a fixture in Hollywood for years, starring mostly in low-budget films for RKO Studios, earning her the title of "Queen of the B's." Just prior to filming Best Foot Forward, her star rose a little higher when she signed a contract with MGM, and a hairstylist suggested the auburn beauty try a different hue: red. With a signature look blazing in all its Technicolor glory, Lucille Ball was ready to play...Lucille Ball - the main character in Best Foot Forward.
The fictional Lucille is a down-on-her-luck film star who's known less by her face and more by her bathing-beauty figure. Ball's dry wit plays perfectly against wily press agent William Gaxton and a cast of smart-talking teens.
Hollywood's "Sweater Girl" Lana Turner was originally slated for the role until she became pregnant. After Ball's recent success in DuBarry was a Lady, MGM retooled the character to suit her.
She later claimed Best Foot Forward was the first film to really showcase her style of humor and gave director Buzzell the credit.
"He understood my comedy and let me go all out and be my uninhibited self," Ball said.
Best Foot Forward Debuts Walker, Allyson, Dix and Donen
If some of the jokes have gone stale since 1943, Nancy Walker is a breath of fresh air with her sharp humor and spot-on delivery. Walker, who originated the role of Nancy on stage, made her feature-film debut in Best Foot Forward. She practically steals the movie on her hilarious quest to snag a boyfriend. (She would later become Ida Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show.")
June Allyson could safely claim she was the first to play "Ethel" alongside Lucille Ball. Only she didn't play the famous Ethel Mertz, but the 26 year-old actress was a teen caught up in the prom fever at Winsocki.
Tommy Dix, in his sole credited film appearance, is convincing as Bud Hooper, the young cadet who tries to juggle Lucille Ball and Helen Schlessenger. He tries to stay sane as the whole campus goes crazy for Lucy.
Virginia Weidler is the famous Helen who throws a wrench into everyone's plans by showing up unexpectedly. Her portrayal of an insecure teen who tries to be as womanly as the glamorous movie star is just the right balance of sweetness with a touch of acid. One moment she's crooning a sad love song, the next she's hurling insults at Ball.
Stanley Donen is known for his work behind the screen as the director of such classic musicals as Singin' in the Rain and On the Town. It takes a sharp eye to spot Donen in his onscreen debut as a cadet.
"High School Musical" at Winsocki
Best Foot Forward boasts an upbeat blend of music and lyrics written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and explosive performances of Harry James and His Musicmakers. At first, it's hard to imagine any group of teenagers wanting to dance to "Flight of the Bumblebee" at their prom...even if it's deftly performed by the legendary bandleader.
Turns out, even kids from the '40s don't want to, leading to a lively musical number called "The Three B's." Allyson, Walker, and the gang kick the classics aside and demand the barrelhouse, the boogie-woogie, and the blues.
One of the most memorable numbers in Best Foot Forward involves a determined Nancy Walker trying to drag Harry James onto the dance floor. Their expertly-choreographed awkwardness makes for a hilarious routine to "Alive and Kickin."
Lucille Ball also sings a solo number called "Lucky You" (dubbed by Gloria Grafton) to the admiring Tommy Dix near the end of the film, showing a tenderness her character didn't have in Hollywood but found at Winsocki.
Best Foot Forward isn't ranked among the best Hollywood musicals of the '40s, but it lives up to its original reviews calling the movie "bubbling, rollicking and charming, sharp and refreshing, with sparkling dialogue and the fresh spirit of youth."
Even the premise is still fresh after 70 years. Just ask Mila Kunis! Now if only they could get Harry James to deejay...
Sources:
- Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball, published by Putnam, ISBN 0-399-14205-3
- Lucy at the Movies by Cindy De La Hoz, published by Running Press, ISBN 0-7624-2706-X
Amanda Flinner - Amanda is a freelance writer who earned her Bachelor's degree in Writing from Geneva College in 2006. Although a variety of interests ...
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