This movie is a pure joy to watch. Filmed during the onset of the American involvement during World War II, an American sailor named "Casey Kirby" (William Holden) is accidentally mistaken for a ladies' man and bets are taken aboard his ship as to whether he can get a certain woman named "The Countess" (Dorothy Lamour) to kiss him in public. The problem is that the Countess is famous throughout the fleet for her ability to resist the charms of men and Casey doesn't really know much about dating. Anyway, what makes this film so special is the innocence of Casey pitted against the suspicious nature of the Countess. Likewise, the music of Jimmy Dorsey and his band was tailor-made for this film. That said, I especially enjoyed the singing of Bob Eberly and the beautiful Helen O'Connell. Additionally, Betty Hutton (as "Bessie Dale") and Eddie Bracken (as "Barney Waters") were very amusing as well. The only things I didn't like about this film were the skits involving "Lorraine & Rognan" and "Cissy" (Cass Dailey). But even so, the good parts of this movie certainly outweighed the bad. In short, if a person is looking for a good, clean comedy then this film is definitely worth viewing.

THE FLEET'S IN deserves to be mentioned with the greatest movie musicals ever. While it cannot compete in glamour with the MGM super-productions or in elegance with the flawless Astaire-Rogers movies at RKO, this spirited musical is nearly as good as the very best of those films with a wonderful cast, good comedy, and incredibly timeless songs. Dorothy Lamour stars as a beautiful nightclub singer who has a reputation as an ice princess whom no sailor can crack but that doesn't stop lovestruck William Holden from trying. Dorothy is gorgeous, the very young Bill is endearing and wacky ingénue Betty Hutton adorable and priceless in her feature film debut as Dot's best friend. And the songs!! "I Remember You"!! "Tangerine"!! THE FLEET'S IN is one of the most delightful films from it's era and worth repeated viewings.

I can never understand why this Musical isn't as highly rated as others. It really is a musical comedy due to the characters. Excellent character actors/actresses and it has great songs....just about every one of the songs is memorable. William Holden is so good, you really think he is Casey Kirby. Dorothy Lamour is funny and has some good songs to sing. Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken are as funny as ever. If you've seen the Miracle of Morgan's Creek and enjoyed it, you will love this movie too. See the song list for this movie...great songs like "I Remember You" and "Tangerine" Songs written by Johnny Mercer and with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. Maybe because there is more of a story it is not highly regarded. I love the story...Why do the critics call this a slight inconsequential musical!!!!! Says who?!!!!! I hope you are able to find it somewhere; it really is worth watching.

This is a slight, inconsequential little Paramount musical that somehow manages to be whimsical & appealing. Directed by Victor Schertzinger (his last movie), it boasts a good cast of rising stars at Paramount: Dorothy Lamour as the Countess of Swingland, a glamorous nightclub hostess who entertains sailors on leave; Betty Hutton as Lamour's impetuous roommate Bessie; William Holden as Casey the shy sailor who intends to win a bet so he can kiss the Countess; Eddie Bracken as the eccentric shipmate of Holden; and a very young and upcoming Barbara Britton.While Lamour and Holden are the leading stars in this slightly erratic war-time entertainment, it is actually Betty Hutton's star-making show. She made her feature debut here. She literally steals almost every scene she's in, with her wacky comic acts. And her rapport with Bracken was a delight in its self.Some scenes drag pretentiously, especially the routine comic acts performed on stage to entertain the soldiers. Still, the songs and numbers are quite enjoyable in their own whimsical sort of way, especially Hutton's delivery of "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry." Nice Fun and worth a catch, if you like this sort of musicals.