Follow the Boys (1944 film)

Follow the Boys
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. Edward Sutherland
Written byLou Breslow
Gertrude Purcell
Produced byCharles K. Feldman
StarringGeorge Raft
Vera Zorina
CinematographyDavid Abel
Edited byFred R. Feitshans Jr.
Music byFred E. Ahlert
Billy Austin
Dick Charles
Kermit Goell
Leigh Harline
Inez James
Louis Jordan
Larry Markes
Jimmy McHugh
Phil Moore
Buddy Pepper
Hughie Prince
Frank Skinner
Roy Turk
Oliver Wallace
Production
company
Chas. K. Feldman Group Productions
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
  • April 25, 1944 (1944-04-25) (New York City)
  • May 5, 1944 (1944-05-05) (United States)
Running time
122 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2 million[1]

Follow the Boys also known as Three Cheers for the Boys is a 1944 musical film made by Universal Pictures during World War II as an all-star cast morale booster to entertain the troops abroad and the civilians at home. The film was directed by A. Edward "Eddie" Sutherland and produced by Charles K. Feldman. The movie stars George Raft and Vera Zorina and features Grace McDonald, Charles Grapewin, Regis Toomey and George Macready. At one point in the film, Orson Welles saws Marlene Dietrich in half during a magic show. W.C. Fields, in his first movie since 1941, performs a classic pool-playing presentation he first developed in vaudeville four decades earlier in 1903.[2]

Making appearances are Walter Abel, Carmen Amaya, The Andrews Sisters, Evelyn Ankers, Louise Beavers, Noah Beery Jr., Turhan Bey, Steve Brodie, Nigel Bruce, Lon Chaney Jr., the Delta Rhythm Boys, Andy Devine, Marlene Dietrich, W. C. Fields, Susanna Foster, Thomas Gomez, Louis Jordan and His Orchestra, Ted Lewis and His Band, Jeanette MacDonald, Maria Montez,[3] Clarence Muse, Donald O'Connor, Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom, Arthur Rubinstein, Peggy Ryan, Randolph Scott, Dinah Shore, Freddie Slack and His Orchestra, Gale Sondergaard, Sophie Tucker, and Orson Welles, among many others.

  1. ^ Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 109
  2. ^ "THE GREAT MAN IS BACK". New York Times. Apr 2, 1944. ProQuest 106794234.
  3. ^ Follow the Boys at Maria Montez Fan Page