The Singing Marine (1937) User Reviews (7)

Bob Brent: U.S.M.C. (Uniformed Singing Marine Crooner)

[lugonian · 7/10 · 30 November 2001]

THE SINGING MARINE (Warner Brothers, 1937), directed by Ray Enright, with two staged numbers choreographed by Busby Berkeley, returns Dick Powell in military uniform, this time, the United States Marines. Unlike his predecessors, FLIRTATION WALK (1934) and SHIPMATES FOREVER (1935), in which Powell played a West Point cadet and an Annapolis Navy man respectively, this military musical comes off more comically and musically in its 108 minutes, with a couple of fist fights added in for good measure.

Powell plays Robert "Bob" Brent, a/k/a "Arkansas," a bashful young Marine from Mountain View, Ark., who is stationed at the San Diego Marine Base for two years. He is invited by his sergeant, Mike Kelly (Allen Jenkins) to attend a wienie roast at Mission Beach with his fellow Marines and their gals. Because Bob is shy with girls, Kelly arranges to have Peggy Randall (Doris Weston), a young cashier of 19 working at the Marine Grill, to become Bob's date. While at Mission Beach, Bob is coaxed to sing a song, which he does. His crooning relaxes the fellas and puts the girls into a romantic mood. Later, the boys arrange to collect enough money to have Bob use his furlough leave to go to New York City and appeared in an upcoming amateur contest, hosted by J. Montgomery Madison (Berton Churchill). Bob agrees to go, and while on the bus, he is seated next to Peggy, who in turn, also plans to go on the amateur radio contest to represent San Diego as Bob is going to represent the Marines. They soon become fast friends and agree to root for one another. While Peggy flops due to nervousness, Bob succeeds with his singing, being immediately signed to a radio contract by agents, Felix Fowler (Addison Richards) and Aeneas K. Phinney (Hugh Herbert), and hiring Peggy as Bob's personal secretary. As Bob rises to fame, success goes to his head, causing him to ignore Peggy, who now loves him, to be with other girls, and forgetting his sworn duty with the Marine Corps.

With music and lyrics by Harry Warren and Al Dubin, the songs and production numbers on the musical program include: "You Can't Run Away From Love Tonight" (sung by Dick Powell); "Stolen Holiday" (sung by Doris Weston); "'Cause My Baby Says It's So" (Powell); "The Lady Who Couldn't Be Kissed" (Powell/Weston, tap dance solo by Lee Dixon); "You Can't Run Away From Love Tonight" (Powell/Weston); "Night and Day" (by Cole Porter/with Larry Adler and his harmonica); "Tiger Rag" (Adler playing harmonica); "Comin' 'Round the Mountain" (sung in both English and Chinese by a Chinese quartet); "'Cause My Baby Says It's So" (reprise by Powell); "I Know Now" (Weston); "Night Over Shanghai" (written by Johnny Mercer/sung by Powell and Weston, with Adler and his harmonica); and finale, "The Song of the Marines," "To the Shores of Tripoli" and "The Song of the Marines."

Aside from the handful of songs, the production number of "Night Over Shanghai," directed by Busby Berkeley, echoes a couple of Berkeley's earlier numbers, such as "Shanghai Lil" from FOOTLIGHT PARADE (1933) with Americans in Chinese setting; and the finale from 42nd STREET (1933) where the girl meets her demise by getting shot and dying in the arms of her man. For the finale, "The Song of the Marines," it's not as lavish and long as "Shanghai Lil" but does present a handful of uniformed Marines marching in formation, doing military drill, singing in front of the symbol of the American eagle in the center stage with Powell singing and standing in front of the giant globe and map of the United States. Very patriotic. Then there is Doris Weston (1917-1960), a newcomer to films, who would have a brief movie career in spite of her cute looks, good singing voice and pleasing personality. It's obvious that Warners was trying to develop her into a new Ruby Keeler-type, Powell's frequent on-screen co-star in seven musicals, even down to her almost similar hairstyle for instance, but it wasn't meant to be. Weston's rendition, however, to "I Know Now" is good, but sadly, both song and its vocalist are forgotten. Hugh Herbert adds to his silliness to the story, along with one scene in which he is dressed in drag playing his own sister.

The supporting cast include Lee Dixon as Corporal Slim Baxter; Jane Darwell as "Ma" Marine; Henry O'Neill, Guinn Williams, Eddie Acuff, Marcia Ralston, and a very young Jane Wyman in a small role as Joan, one of the fans of the Singing Marine.

While THE SINGING MARINE has been frequently played on Turner Classic Movies over the last few years, especially during its tribute to Dick Powell on his birthday (November 14), it's surprising that this peacetime military musical didn't get a critique by Leonard Maltin's annual "Movie and Video Guide" until after 2000. In spite of its predictable and somewhat overlong plot, THE SINGING MARINE is entertaining from start to finish. (***)

What Kind of Maroon Would Hire Hugh Herbert As His Manager?

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 28 June 2006]

The Singing Marine is great example of the kind of film Dick Powell was trying hard to get out of doing. It's entertaining and charming in its way, but also has its moments of downright silliness.

Powell knew very well that his career in film would never last if he continued doing parts like these. He wanted to do serious dramatic stuff and finally got his chance seven years later from RKO in Murder My Sweet.

On furlough from the Marines on a lark Powell enters an amateur hour talent contest and wins. One of the losers is Doris Weston and she and Powell are taken with each other. Hugh Herbert signs Powell up to sing on the radio and his career as The Singing Marine is off and running.

Now here's where it gets a bit sticky for me. Hugh Herbert is his usual wackadoodle self in The Singing Marine and why anyone in his right mind would hire him as a business manager is beyond my power of understanding.

Also why Powell would forget about that little contract he signed with the Marine Corps is absolutely off the radar of my grey cells. That idiot Herbert actually thinks he's going to buy Powell out of his enlistment.

Yet these were more innocent times and I think if Dick Powell were alive today he'd appreciate The Singing Marine for the entertainment it is.

He got some good songs to sing from two teams of songwriters, Harry Warren and Al Dubin and Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Cause My Baby Says It's So was the hit from this film and the Song of the Marines enjoyed some popularity. It was never going to take the place of From the Halls of Montezuma in Marine Corps Annals.

Supporting Powell besides Hugh Herbert were Guinn Williams, Allen Jenkins, Lee Dixon, and as Ma Marine, Jane Darwell. That's right we have a character named Ma Marine. Jane is actually good in the role, she's a kind of den mother to the Marines stationed in Shanghai. Her financial problems are the crux of the story for the last 45 minutes.

Despite some of the nonsense, The Singing Marine is good entertainment with Dick Powell in real good voice.

Dick Powell finds fame as the Singing Marine

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 13 June 2015]

Busby Berkeley directed the musical sequences for this 1937 film, The Singing Marine.

Dick Powell stars as Bob Brent, a marine, originally from Arkansas, who happens to have a beautiful tenor voice. Though a little shy, he goes to New York to enter an amateur singing contest. He's encouraged by his fellow Marines, who are cheering him on as they listen to him on the radio. Bob makes friends with a young woman, Peggy (Doris Weston) he meets on the bus who is also going to compete.

Bob sings 'Cause My Baby Says It's So in the contest and is a smash hit, signed to a contract immediately. Though Peggy was too nervous to finish the audition, Bob hires her as his assistant.

When his outfit is ordered to Shanghai, one of his agents (Hugh Herbert) decides to buy Bob out of the Marines. Uh, no go. His friends in the corps turn against him when they see how fat-headed he's become.

This is a fun musical, and Dick Powell's voice was so lyrical and beautiful, I could listen to him all day. He had such an amazing career as well.

If you can ever get your hands on any of the Dick Powell Theatre from television, do so. There were some wonderful episodes. Powell excelled as a singer, an actor, and producer, and was obviously an excellent businessman.

He is also responsible for one of my favorite celebrity comments of all time: When offered the part of Richard Diamond in the TV series that ultimately starred David Janssen, Powell thought about it and finally told the producer, "No, I can't hold my stomach in for 28 weeks."

Also appearing in this film are Allen Jenkins and, in small roles, Jane Wyman and Veta Ann Borg.

Enjoyable movie to see!

[tonyfrontino · 7/10 · 12 January 2007]

The Singing Marine is great example of the 30's musicals. I enjoyed the music and songs. Dick Powell is in great form as the singing marine. One goof is the radio call letters was KRWB, but is in New York. It should start with W. The songs is enjoyable to listen to and keeps in your head. I rate the movie a 7 out of 10. The plot of the movie is silly in today's themes but it does add a change of basis. We could use more of this type of movies today. I like the songs of the 30's and 40's. You could understands the songs. Again, great songs and a enjoyable movie. It should be shown on TV more often. We need more of this type of songs again.

Over Long and Over Baked.

[jbacks3 · 3/10 · 11 October 2010]

By 1937 Dick Powell was acutely aware of his dwindling prospects as a crooner. Unfortunately, The Singing Marine is a textbook example of just the type of film he was aching to distance himself from--- something that wouldn't happen until his move to Paramount in 1942. This over long musical comedy co-stars newcomer Doris Weston (imagine Sonja Henie without the skates or accent); she's cute but the 19-year old fails to make a memorable impression. Her career spanned less than 3 years and 6 features, 2 shorts and a serial between Warner's and the financially wobbly "New" Universal Pictures. Sadly, she'd die of cancer in her early 40's.

The Singing Marine was one of Warner's 'A' pictures for 1937. It features the backbone of the studio's stock character troupe: Allen Jenkins, Addison Richards, goofy Hugh Herbert, Guinn Williams... but look for harmonica maestro Larry Adler doing his thing (Chinese Larry? I think HUAC might've even used that one against you too) in the Shanghai finale and keep your eyes peeled for Ward Bond in one of his don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-me-keeping-the-groceries-coming-in walk-on's he did throughout the 1930's.

I find myself looking at any pre-WW2 film with military elements as a Japanese spy. To this day I'm convinced one of the reasons we were attacked is Lou Costello in "Buck Privates." The Singing Marine certainly did us no favors with the mentality that a USMC enlistment could be bought off, or perhaps it was the corps' apparent fondness for wienie roasts. See this for Adler's haunting harmonica rift... but be prepared to walk away wondering why 20-minutes weren't left on the cutting room floor.

Powell Is A Marine That Sings

[Ranger1633 · 4/10 · 9 February 2024]

The Third & Last Installment of Warner's Pro-Military Propaganda Musicals Starring Dick Powell. It's The Marines Turn to Get Their Powell Musical Following the Army's Flirtation Walk (1934) and Navy's Shipmates Forever (1935). Directed by Ray Enright Taking The Place of Frank Borzage who directed the Previous Two But Left Warner for MGM Prior to Filming of The Singing Marine. Like The Previous Two Films The Screenplay is Written by Delmer Daves.

The Story Centers Around Bob Brent (Dick Powell), A Timid Marine from Arkansas Who Possesses A Gifted Voice. Bob is Invited by his Sargent, Mike Kelly (Allen Jenkins) to Attend a Wienie Roast at The Beach with Some of The Other Marines and Their Gals. Bob, Whom is Tired of Going to Wienie Roast Instead He Will Intent If He Can Also Have A Date. Sargent Kelly Helps The Shy Bob by Arranging him a Date with A 19-Year Old Cashier Peggy Randall (Doris Weston) Whom Bob Fancies. At The Wienie Roast, The Bashful Bob is Urged by the Boys to Sing A Song. Much To A Delight of The Fellow Boys, Bob's Smooth Vocals Helps Put Their Gals into the Desired Romantic Mood. Bob However Due to Being Busy Singing for the Other Fellas Sakes, Fails to Have Any Success with Peggy is Distraught and Knows He Will Not Have Another Chance with Her, For Peggy is Going to NYC enter a Amateur Hour Contest While Bob Will Just Go Back to Arkansas. Spearheaded By Sargent Kelly the Boys Take Up A Collection of $2 Per Guy to Help Sent Bob to NYC to Enter the Amateur Hour Contest to Represent The Marines. Bob Who is Thankful and Surprised by the Gesture Gets on the Bus For The Cross Country Travel from San Diego to New York City. Along for the Trip is Peggy, Whom Makes A Pact with Bob to Have A Lookout For One Another. Bob and Peggy Arrive for The Contest, Peggy is Chosen to go First. Peggy Overcome by Stage Fright Fails to Impress. Bob, However is Confident while Singing and Wins the Entire Contest in a Apparent Landslide. Bob is Immediately called upon by Agents, Felix Fowler (Addison Richards) and Aeneas K. Phinney (Hugh Herbert) Whom After Being Allowed to Bring Along Peggy as his Secretary Signs A Radio Contract With. Bob's Newfound Fame Gets to His Head, as he Neglects his responsibility to the Marines, and his budding relationship with Peggy. Bob Has To Find Out What Really Matters in his Life.

Dick Powell is Solid in this Film. While Not Having the Command of the Screen Such as Fellow Musical Leading Men of the Time (Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby) He is Still A Relatively Talented Actor Who Does the Best with the Material Given to Him.

Doris Weston is in Her Film Debut. While She is An Attractive Girl Who Also had a Really Good Voice, She Fails to impress and what would happen to be her big chance in Films. She Was Discovered by Warner in A Nightclub. At The Time, Doris was also on NBC Radio (Coincidentally After Winning A Ammeter Hour Contest). You Can Tell Warner Had Planned for Her to have a Build-up Like Ruby Keeler's. Her Hair and Style was Fashioned much like that of Ruby's and the Choose Doris to Take Ruby's Spot in the Third of These Military Musical Due to her having a "Better Voice" than Ruby. One of the Key Differences is That Dick and Doris Lack the Chemistry that Dick Shared with Ruby. Her Sophomore Attempt into Film would be in Lloyd Bacons' Submarine D-1. She Was Originally to be in the Film Alongside Future President Ronald Reagan as Her Love Interest but Reagan's Part would be Completely Cut Out of the Movie and Weston's Was Significantly Reduced. Weston Would Part from Warner's Following The Films Conclusion. She Would Appear in Film for A Handful of Years Finding Some Work Most Notably as Warren Hull's girlfriend in the 1939 Columbia serial "Mandrake the Magician". Doris Would Retire from Acting in 1942 and Get Married. Sadly, Doris Would Pass Away From Cancer in 1960 at the Young Age of 42.

Among the Other Players in the Film include Hugh Herbert as a Zany and Financially Unresponsible Agent Who Adds Some Craziness into the Film (Also Has A Bizarre Scene Where He Cross Dresses as His Characters Sister.)

Lee Dixon as a Marine, Slim Dixon. Who Gets A Bizarre Tap Dance Number Directed by Bugsy Berkeley which contains very out of date jump cuts.

Jane Darwell is Pleasant as Always despite not being given much to do. Allen Jenkins is really solid in the role of Sargent Kelly.

Other Players Include Addison Richards, Marcia Ralston, Guinn Williams, Larry Adler, Harry Woods, Eddy Chandler, Henry O'Neill, Eddie Acuff, Berton Churchill, Ward Bond, Veda Ann Borg, and A Very Young Jane Wyman.

The Music in the Film is Solid As Much of it is Written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin. The Standout of their tracks is the interesting "The Lady That Couldn't Be Kissed" and a Notable Version of Johnny Mercer's "Night Over Shanghai".

Larry Adler Gets A Couple Harmonica Solo in Their For Good Measure including a very fun rendition of Cole Porter's "Night and Day" which of course was immortalized by Fred Astaire in both the Broadway and Film Version of "The Gay Divorce". Perhaps Most Bizarre we have have a Unknown Chinese Quartet Preform the Traditional "She'll Be Coming 'Round The Mountain" in Both English & Chinese, Not Once, Not Twice, But Three Times.

Busby Berkeley Directs Two Dance Numbers in the Film But You Would Never Know If Not Told, As the Numbers are more run of the mill and lack that distinct Berkeley Magic.

The Story is overall very sappy and lacks much emotional pay-off. Missed Opportunities to develop characters. The Actions of the Characters are for little reason other than to drag the Story along. You Really Lack to see the reason or the chemistry between the main two characters. Also Doesn't Benefit from Outstanding Numbers like the Astaire Films of the Day and Age. Luckily for us the Film Musicals Would Get Far More Advanced and Charming in their plotlines over the next 20 years as the 40's and 50's would be a Golden Age of Musicals. This Film has sustained a consistent amount of Re-runs on TCM, So Not all is bad for this film. It has it's place.

A Fun Musical

[Maleejandra · 8/10 · 22 July 2006]

The Singing Marine is really a way to exploit Dick Powell's wonderful tenor voice, and it does well at doing so. Powell's singing could win over any woman which is perhaps the reason no other well-known stars are in the cast.

The film is about a marine from Arkansas whose shy demeanor melts away when he sings. He wins over a fellow singer (Doris Weston) and is convinced by his friends to enter an amateur contest in New York. When he goes, he become a sensation and is signed as "The Singing Marine." In a very short time he makes tens of thousands of dollars but has to manage his singing career alongside his career in the military.

Busby Berkeley directed the musical sequences in this film, but aside from a couple of beautiful girls, one probably wouldn't guess that he was involved. The numbers are more general in their presentation, but they are still fun. Powell's simple "Cause My Baby Says Its So" doesn't get much staging, but the other songs include elaborate tap routines and set changes.