I really did enjoy seeing 1943's Best Foot Forward (BFF) again , after more than 50 years. I note that a couple of other reviewers have commented that they most enjoyed the film, as did I, for the song Buckle Down, Winsocki, as sung by Tommy Dix, and wondered what ever became of "military cadet" Tommy Dix, real life and career-wise. Young Tom would be about 82 years old now. As I recall, Tommy Dix was also in the original Broadway stage production of BFF in 1941. As far as I can find, there is absolutely not one shred or hint of bio or other life/career information re Tommy Dix on the internet, except that he was born in 1924 and appeared in very minor roles in two other movies in the early 1940's. Finito!INDEED, what ever DID happen to our cadet, Tommy Dix? Does anybody out there know? Anyway, I hope he graduated with full honors from life's academy and had a grand and rewarding career, whatever and wherever it may have been, in or out of the movies.

A kid at a military academy named Bud Hooper (Tommy Dix) sends a fan letter to Lucille Ball asking her to be his prom date--despite the fact that he has a girlfriend, Helen Schelsinger (Virginia Weidler). Ball accepts under the pressuring of her agent (William Gaxton). Bud's two roomies (Kenny Bowers, Jack Jordan) are also hot for Ball. Add Nancy Walker and Harry James and his Orchestra and thing go barreling out of control.Not a great musical but enjoyable. The color is bright, the film is full of life and there are some very funny (if dated) lines. Most of the songs are unmemorable (and go on far too long) until the last one--it's a great little number called "Buckle Down Winsocki" and easily stops the show.Acting--well Ball is just incredible--VERY sexy, funny and believable. Dix is just so-so as Bud, Weidler is good as his girlfriend. His two roomies--one is OK (Bowers) but the other (Jordan) over OVER ACTS to a truly annoying degree. It reached the point that every time he was on screen I was cringing away. Walker's character is treated dreadfully--she's the butt of some VERY cruel jokes. Still she manages to be funny regardless. Also this is one of you few chances to see Walker sing and dance (pretty well) and see Lucy sing (although her voice is obviously dubbed). And there's Gloria DeHaven and June Allyson in bit parts!Nothing great but I enjoyed it. If the songs had been better this would have gotten a 10. As it is I'm giving it a 7. Worth catching.

A glorious array of feminine talent in a superior song-and-dance movie posing as a football film. One of Lucille Ball's roles preceding her charming but ditzy "I Love Lucy" era. Here she is a star playing a star. And what better supporting cast can you want than Gloria DeHaven, Nancy Walker and June Allyson (the latter two making their film debuts). And then there is the music including the sensational "Two O'Clock Jump" and my all-time favorite college "fight song" - Buckle Down Winsockie" They don't make them like this any more. Women galore, and glorious, as stars and appealing to men for its football touch. It is dated and has gaps but it is a not-to-be missed treasure.

This movie is so unremarkable it is almost remarkable just for that! Some averages songs, badly staged, some average to bad acting from a bunch of unknown boys - headed by the uncharming Tommy Dix, and an unwitty functional screenplay make this undemanding but unrewarding viewing.On the positive side you can glimpse June Allyson ,Gloria De Haven and Nancy Walker in early screen roles. But only Walker is given anything interesting to do - she's funny as the ugly duckling, but the way the men in the film insult her is quite disturbing. Then there's Lucy - looking gorgeous and playing herself, although her presence and actions at a teen prom are hard to believe. If her lines had been funnier she may have made something of this film but...The highlights are Harry James performances - very fine, and the moment where the jealous school girls almost tear Lucy apart - this moment is so vicious it almost makes this an interesting film!