In the Navy (1941) User Reviews

Buck Gobs

[Spondonman · 7/10 · 20 April 2008]

I saw this first when young so maybe my rose-tinted specs are kicking in, but I still really like this film. Just as Britain's box office no. 1 George Formby was enlisted by the movie industry to help the War effort with a string of "service comedies" so were Abbott & Costello, America's no. 1 cinema attraction at the time. And same as Formby, keeping the same formula but with varying results. Universal were also cashing in on the previous hit Buck Privates – for speed and cheapness most of this film was shot in front of a back projection of stock footage and on a handful of sets. Hold That Ghost had already been finished but had to wait while In The Navy had its day in the Sun first.

Bud and Lou are a pair of ordinary gobs, Dick Powell is an idolised crooner who wants to escape the attention to become an ordinary gob but is hounded by Claire Dodd ace reporter, while Dick Foran had his gob shut for most of the picture. Powell might have considered himself a "Forgotten Man" in 1941 but he still got equal billing with the boys. The farcical but at the time controversial nautical climax (without it being only a dream) was lifted from Jack Ahoy with Jack Hulbert from 1934, but I've no doubt it was lifted for him as well. The songs by Don Raye and Gene de Paul were hit and miss, the best being the lovely Starlight, Starbright (for Powell) well up their usual lustrous Wartime Universal mark, and the peppy Gimme Some Skin and Hula Ba Luau (both for the Andrews Sisters). Patti must have been standing in for Martha Raye – who came back for Keep 'Em Flying one year later. Foran for all of his fine singing voice was slightly in the way here and only got to do a bit of A Sailor's Life For Me. Favourite bits: The Condos Brothers dance routine – I feel my ankles cracking just recalling it; Find the submarine; genuine fun with the Sons of Neptune initiation ceremony; Powell's efforts to thwart the photographer; There's a second chance a few years later to check it out in Little Giant but no matter which way you look at it – 7 x 13 = 28!

Not quite up to Buck Privates, but still with that unique Universal atmosphere pervading and thus one of my favourites from the boys.

In the Navy (1941) **1/2

[JoeKarlosi · 6/10 · 7 July 2005]

Thus continued a standard (and at the time of its release, winning) formula for Abbott & Costello's earliest films which you need to take with a grain or two of salt in order to appreciate them. With IN THE NAVY, Universal wanted to capitalize on the monstrous success of the earlier BUCK PRIVATES, so now we've got another "service comedy" from the team, with some tried and true funny segments that work, scattered along with the now customary dashes of song, dance, and sub-plotting.

In the area of humorous routines, Bud and Lou are a hit with the "Lemon Shell Game," the "Sons of Neptune" initiation prank, Lou trying to get some sleep in a cockeyed hammock, and then Costello later trying to prove to Abbott that "7x13 = 28". We've even got Shemp Howard of the Three Stooges on hand to help out with some of these gags. This is all fine and dandy.

But then again, every once in awhile it's obligatory that the three Andrews Sisters have to pop in with another song and dance number. While I actually didn't mind the ladies in BUCK PRIVATES, I didn't care for any of their songs in this film. Even worse, some time is wasted on a silly romance between lead singer Patty Andrews and chubby little Lou. This doesn't go anywhere and is more of a liability than a help.

Dick Powell gets big billing along with Abbott and Costello, and a good portion of the story deals with his being a successful singer, idolized by hordes of adoring women, who'd like nothing more than to sneak into the navy just to get away from all the fanfare. Unluckily for him, there's a female photographer who's hot on his trail and is determined to spring up with her ever-intrusive camera to snap all the pictures she can of him. This also becomes rather tiring. Yet thankfully, A&C are constantly in their hilarious prime to keep bringing us back to the laughs, which is always the chief reason we keep wanting to watch. **1/2 out of ****

A Good Follow-up to "Buck Privates"

[lawprof · 7/10 · 7 April 2004]

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello work up to a goofy stride in "In the Navy," their second feature film and also the second in which they're in the service. Having left the Army for the Navy, their misadventures continue with Abbott still the money-hunting con artist and Costello his sidekick and, usually, patsy.

An A & C skit is the highlight of every film they made and here Abbott's blatant cheating at Three-Card Monte, played with produce, is very funny.

The score is so-so. Jerome Kern composed the music for "Buck Privates." The composers here weren't in Kern's league.

Supported by the ever fine Andrews Sisters and Dick Powell as a famous crooner running away from fame to seek anonymity by serving his country, "In the Navy" has a stronger national defense message than its G.I. predecessor. We were getting closer to war. "Keep your ship afloat," intones an officer at a recruit graduation ceremony. Sadly, the magnificent but obsolescent battleships shown at the beginning and end of the film and in quick shots within the story are the very vessels that suffered the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The movie is dedicated to the navy personnel at the San Diego and San Pedro bases from which the Pacific Fleet deployed to Pearl Harbor in 1941 at President Roosevelt's express orders.

7/10

"Every time you open my mouth you get me in trouble."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 3 December 2004]

"In The Navy" is the second Abbott and Costello service film, with a nod to their first, "Buck Privates" in the opening credits. Genuinely high on patriotism, it brings back The Andrews Sisters and Shemp Howard from the prior picture.

The plot involves crooner Russ Raymond (Dick Powell) dropping out of the celebrity spotlight, only to join the Navy under the name of Tom Halstead. He is relentlessly pursued by newspaper photographer Dorothy Roberts (Claire Dodd), but gee, how many pictures did she need?

As Smoky Adams (Abbott) and Seaman Pomeroy Watson (Costello), the boys are up to their usual antics which include Abbott's sleight of hand lemon routine, a money changing bit and a classic 7 times 13 equals 28, and Costello can prove it three different ways! In a slightly unsavory gag, the boys lay in wait for each other with mouths full of water ready to spray each other, but they keep breaking up and the sequence looks more like a series of outtakes that were left in the film.

The Andrews Sisters are in usual fine form, with Patty much more animated in her lead role than in "Buck Privates". They keep the film moving with songs from beginning to end, with a few well choreographed production numbers thrown in.

The highlight of the film though belongs to Lou Costello, as he impersonates the Captain of the ship to impress the Andrews Sisters, and commandeers the ship in a series of naval routines, defying all the laws of physics along the way.

With two service comedies under their belt, Bud and Lou would wind up in yet another branch of the service very quickly in 1941's "Keep 'Em Flying", and with the war over, one final time in 1947's "Buck Privates Come Home", reprising the original characters from their first Army film.

Andrews Sisters talk and the boys do what they do best.

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 4 March 2008]

In The Navy does at times feel rushed, you sense that it was what is commonly known today as a cash cow !, it was rushed thru to capitalise on the success of Buck Privates the previous outing from the duo. Abbott & Costello are widely regarded and lauded for saving Universal Studios bacon, so with that in mind I feel that it would be churlish of me to downgrade the film for its forced feel, but sadly it is evident regardless.

Yet for me to even suggest that the film is less than entertaining would be doing a big disservice to all involved, all the expected formula's are in here, the gags from the boys hit the mark, with the "find the submarine sequence" particularly mirth inducing, and of course the musical warbling of The Andrews Sisters offers foot tapping relief. The film does exactly what it says on the tin, open it up expecting fun and light relief, and you will get it in spades, a safe 6/10.

Intermittently amusing

[lorenellroy · 2 June 2003]

Plot is not really a crucial element of this type of picture ,and it comes as no suprise to learn it is pretty skimpy.A radio crooner (Dick Powell )is tired of the pressure of fame and enlist incognito in the US navy .A zealous reporter (Claire Dodd )sets out to expose the truth ,even resorting to stowing away on board ship to break the story. It is really the excuse for a variety of set pieces -musical from the Andrews Sisters and comedic ,from Abbot and Costello ,following up their earlier forces comedy "Buck Privates"(acknowledged in a brief gag over the opening credits) These are varied in the amusement value--I loved the scene where Bud demonstrates that 13 multiplied by 7 equals 28 ,and the "bunco game "scene with lemons is a minor classic but much of it is unsubtle clowning.

As a memento of the more innocent age of cinema it is endearing and will still generate a few laughs along the way.

They're in the Navy Now

[lugonian · 7/10 · 18 July 2006]

IN THE NAVY (Universal, 1941), directed by Arthur Lubin, starring the popular comedy team of Abbott and Costello, is a worthy follow-up to their initial success as BUCK PRIVATES (1941), so worthy that its opening credits starts off with a tease as Bud and Lou in sailor suits are seen hoisting the flag on top of the pole reading "Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in BUCK PRIVATES." As the flag waves through the air, Bud looks up and slaps his little partner across the face. Realizing this error, they rope down the flag and replace it with, "Bud Abbott and Lou Costello and Dick Powell IN THE NAVY." An amusing start to Bud and Lou's second peacetime military farce with the "in" joke comprehended by those who have seen BUCK PRIVATES, as well as those familiar with their antics. And now, all hands on deck.

The plot centers upon Russ Raymond (Dick Powell), a popular radio crooner idolized by twenty million sweethearts of swooning dames.(Frank Sinatra would get the same kind of luck a few years later). After the completion of his latest broadcast during the Fliffso Soap Hour, he disappears without a trace until it is discovered that he enlisted in the San Diego Navy Base under his real name of Tommy Halstead. Dorothy Roberts (Claire Dodd), a gal reporter/ photographer for Facts Magazine, also a fan, accepts her new assignment in tracking him down and getting herself the scoop of the year, even to a point as following the fleet, sneaking on board the Alabama ship bound for Honolulu hiding in a crate and sporting sailor attire, thanks to the help of Tommy's shipmates forever "Smokey" Adams (Abbott), an electrician, and Pomeroy Watson (Costello), a baker, both unaware of the ex-crooner's celebrity profile. Problems arise when Dorothy is discovered, putting Tommy in a position as to either "give up the ship" or to "take orders from her."

On the musical program, songs by Don Ray and Gene DePaul feature: "Star Light, Star Bright" (sung by Dick Powell); "You're Off to Sea to See the World," "Give Me Some Skin, My Friend" (sung by The Andrews Sisters); "A Sailor's Life for Me" Tap dance number (performed by The Condos Brothers); "We're in the Navy," "Hula-Ba-Luau," (Andrews Sisters); "Star Light, Star Bright" (reprise by Powell, Andrews Sisters); and "We're in the Navy" (finale, cast).

IN THE NAVY demonstrates itself as another good outing for Bud and Lou. It brings back the Andrews Sisters and Shemp Howard who have made such an impact with them in BUCK PRIVATES. This time, the Andrews Sisters participate in the story instead of just appearing as singing specialties. They continue to play themselves, having Patty acting as Lou's girlfriend, whom he tries to impress by first paying a tough floor manager to a take a punch from him. Lou misses, and manager gives him back his "change" and secondly by Lou's impersonation as sea captain in Horatio Hornblower attire, with Smokey's assistance. Dick Powell, a popular leading actor of Warner Brothers musicals from the 1930s, is no stranger to military life on screen. He earlier starred as a Navy man in SHIPMATES FOREVER (1935) opposite Ruby Keeler, with Dick Foran, featured here as Chief Petty Officer "Dynamite" Dugan, also in the cast. Both make fine straight men to the Abbott and Costello antics consisting of now classic gags as Abbott's lemon bit, Bud and Lou's money exchange, Costello's struggling attempt to get himself on a hammock, his method of mathematics in proving that 7x13=28, among others too numerous to mention. Although the conclusion is a bit weak (one sequence changed to meet with the approval of the U.S. Navy Department prior to release), it does end with a bang, thanks to boy actors Buddy and Butch (Billy Lenhart and Kenneth Brown) as the captain's mischievous nephews. With these kids around, "Abandon ship!"

For its time frame of 86 minutes, this hardly qualifies IN THE NAVY as "B" movie material, regardless of its label from various sources ranking all Abbott & Costello comedies as profitable programmers. Reportedly a much bigger success than BUCK PRIVATES, IN THE NAVY, is still fun to watch, regardless of some overlong sequences earlier in the story, particularly those involving Dodd's stalking Powell while in seclusion in his hotel room, ending with him spanking her across his knee while her camera is set taking multiple snap shots. Much of these opening scenes along with some Abbott and Costello material and song numbers have been severely trimmed for commercial television during the 1960s-80s whenever aired on its usual 90 minute time slot, notably on New York City's own WPIX, Channel 11, the station that played practically every Abbott and Costello movie each Sunday (sometimes Saturday) mornings/ afternoons (1971/72 to 1990), becoming a weekly tradition for nearly 20 years.

IN THE NAVY, formerly distributed on video cassette and currently on DVD, has played on cable channels as the Comedy Channel (late 1980s), American Movie Classics (2001) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: September 18, 2015). In closing, IN THE NAVY may appear to be knots behind BUCK PRIVATES, but thanks to Abbott and Costello and Dick Powell in the Navy, they sure keep this one afloat. (*** Bells)

Great for A&C fans, terrible for Dick Powell fans

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 24 September 2015]

I have mixed feelings about this film. As an Abbott & Costello outing, it's darned good. As funny as probably any of their films, with one of my favorite bits -- the math problem. It gets sorta silly toward the end, but that's what Abbott & Costello are supposed to be.

So what are my reservations? The use here of Dick Powell. Powell here is relegated to an almost minor supporting actor. Yes, he has a couple of decent songs, but his screen time is pretty brief overall. I would have rewritten the script substantially to eliminate Powell all together, and utilize Dick Foran, who was a good enough singer to handle the songs here. If I had been Powell, I would have been pretty unhappy about this casting.

So for Abbott & Costello0 fans, you'll be quite pleased with this film...and in that regard, so am I. If you're a Dick Powell fan, you're not going to be a happy camper.

Getting better treatment are the Andrews Sisters, who have several good numbers, and Patty is Lou Costello's love interest here. They shine.

In general, this is a fairly standard service comedy. Lots of silly hi-jinks on a ship, including a very funny dream action sequence which nearly sunk the Navy's cooperation in making the film.

As usual, Lou Costello carries the comedy here, with Bud Abbott pretty much just providing the straight lines, although Abbott is very good in the shell game sequence.

One of the better Abbott & Costello efforts.

An Excellent Comedy!

[Zoooma · 8/10 · 28 January 2014]

Almost every comedy nowadays is purely Rated R for a reason, because it's vulgar trash in some way... unfortunately that is what passes as funny to today's audiences. Well, comedy does not need to be that, as shown here in this wonderfully hilarious military comedy from Abbott & Costello. The routines are so funny and should have your sides splitting! Other entertainment comes from The Andrews Sisters. Their music might be lame by today's standards but you gotta commend 'em for always bringing a smile to the face of our young men in uniform. Including a tap dance routine, the movie is a little more musical than I would have liked but still overall an excellent film! --A Kat Pirate Screener

Pleasant comedy

[gridoon · 6/10 · 17 March 2007]

Lou: "I'll fight these men in a field of honor"

Bud: "But they have no honor"

Lou: "That's okay, I ain't got no field!"

One of the earliest Abbott & Costello films, "In the Navy" has a better balance of humor and music than, say, the Marx Brothers outings of the same period. The songs, although dated, are still quite catchy, and there is also a spectacular tap-dancing number by the Condos Brothers (OK, the Hawaiian song is perfectly awful, but at least nobody plays a harp for 10 minutes here). The comedy is visual, verbal, and at times even surreal (Costello draws a line with a piece of chalk on a blackboard - and then hangs his cap on it!). This film is not great cinematic art, but it does offer some great laughs. (**1/2)

Out To Sea.

[AaronCapenBanner · 4/10 · 26 October 2013]

Abbott & Costello star as Smokey Adams & Pomeroy Watson, two naval recruits who are friends with popular crooner Tommy Halstead(played by Dick Powell) who, in a desperate attempt to escape from his over-adoring fans, enlists in the navy. He tries to remain anonymous, but a determined female journalist sneaks aboard disguised as a sailor, but is later uncovered. Guess what happens next? Meanwhile, Smokey & Pomeroy have their own misadventures... Disappointing comedy just isn't that funny, despite using some of their successful routines, this is just a slight and forgettable variation on their far more successful earlier "Buck Privates". The Andrews Sisters also costar here.

Worthy Followup to "Buck Privates"

[weezeralfalfa · 9/10 · 8 December 2016]

To my mind,a musical slapstick comedy, superior in interest to the Abbott and Costello hit of the previous year: "Buck Privates". This one is not about misadventures during basic training. The boys have been in the Navy for 6 years, yet have never been on a ship! Lou has been a shore baker for most of the time.

Besides following the misadventures of A&C, the plot centers around the adversarial relationship between Dick Powell: a Sinatra- like crooner idol, and a phony chambermaid (Dorothy) for the place he is hiding out, trying to exit from his celebrity status. She wants to get snapshots of Powell before and after he enters the Navy, to accompany writ-ups of his current activities. Yes, a pretty dumb plot, but the main interest is in the comedy and music.

As in "Buck Privates", we have the Andrews Sisters occasionally popping up to sing a song, none of the tunes being especially memorable, although the lyrics were good and often appropriate. Dick Powell also gets to sing a couple of songs.

Lou steals some money, and Bud steals it from him, via a fixed shell game and confusing Lou's count of the bills....Lou has a crush on Patti Andrew, and tries to impress her by somehow getting assigned to orchestrate a rowing team practicing in a beached rowboat, with humerus consequences.....Later, aboard a battleship, Lou has a hilarious time trying to sleep in a hammock. Their ship heads for Hawaii, where the boys enjoy a feast, with hula girls and The Andrew Sisters to boot.

Lou apparently accidentally spilled some potent sedative into a drink he served the captain and drank some himself. Both are knocked out cold. Lou has a dream in which he is the captain and The Andrew Sisters are ordered to visit the captain's cabin. After they arrive, he locks the door. He wants to show off his skill as captain, barking various contradictory orders through the loudspeakers. Of course, his ship zig-zags between the several others close by, and is headed straight for a ship when he awakens.

What about Powell and the phony 'maid" Dorothy? Well, maybe you can guess how they turn out at the end. Claire Dodd, who played the "maid", retired from films after the following year, to get remarried and raise a family.

The least successful of the boys' WW2 service movies

[opsbooks · 6/10 · 20 January 2005]

Having recently laughed my way through 'Buck Privates' and 'Keep 'em Flying', I was largely disappointed by this navy tribute. 'Hold that Ghost' was literally put on hold in order to speed up the release of 'In the Navy', and it showed, most noticeably in the less than special effects for the final sequence.

Dick Powell was a welcome addition to the cast but he really wasn't given much of a chance to show his talents. The songs overall lacked the punch so evident in 'Buck Privates', and later on, in 'Keep 'em Flying'. A fatal error was the so-called romance between Lou and Patty. The lead singer of the Andrews Sisters may have been a great vocalist but she was a woeful actress. Where were you, Martha Raye?

My favourite Bud and Lou gag was the 'Sons of Neptune'. With the boys ad-libbing all the way through, it seemed evident that they and the rest of the cast and crew had a great time getting through the sequence. Director Arthur Lubin, according to author Jim Mulholland, began to laugh uncontrollably during this take. An interesting point from the same source - the censor requested the director not show the actual spitting of water into anyone's face.

7 Times 13 Really Does Equal 28

[strong-122-478885 · 6/10 · 15 June 2013]

Released in 1941 - "In the Navy" was one of the top 5 most popular films of that year. And Abbott & Costello got a lot more screen-time to perform some of their most clever comedy routines, like the hilarious "Lemon Bit", a crooked, sleight-of-hand shell game, and the equally priceless math routine where Abbott proves to Costello that 7 times 13 equals 28.

Just like "Buck Privates", "In The Navy" was also a WW2 service comedy, clearly intended to encourage American men to enlist in the US Armed Forces. And also, like "Buck Privates", this film contains a number of well-staged song & dance numbers, featuring the talents of The Andrews Sisters and crooner, Dick Powell.

Bud and Lou play characters, Smokey Adams and Pomeroy Watson (respectively), a pair of rascally, bottom-of-the-rung, gopher gobs stationed on the US battleship, Alabama.

As one could only expect from Bud & Lou, our navy boys never fail to get themselves into a whole lot of wacky trouble with a whole lot of their fellow shipmates.

I think that it's interesting to note that before "In The Navy" could be released into theaters it was first screened for officers of the actual US Navy.

When offence was found in the sequence where Pomeroy Watson (Costello) impersonates a captain and puts the battleship through a series of madcap maneuvers, it was ordered to be deleted from the picture.

Since this sequence was the film's climax, it couldn't be removed and so Universal Studios solved the officers' complaints by making this sequence Pomeroy's dream. And, with that, everybody was happy.

Bud and Lou set sail on the Pacific. Marine life will never be the same!

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 18 September 2016]

"Everytime you open my mouth, you get me in trouble" Now ain't that the truth! Bud's constant manipulation of Lou's actions (especially when someone in authority is around) has not gone unnoticed by the dizzy and funny fat man. This time around, they've left the confines of army barracks to the confines of a naval ship, even spoofing that switch in the opening credits.

There's a really good serious story here, focusing on radio heartthrob Dick Powell deserting his fans and becoming a gob to have a private life as a seaman and as far away from screaming females as he can be. But reporter Claire Dodd wants to get the scoop, poses as a chambermaid in Powell's hotel room, and fortunately gets caught. It's up to Bud and Lou and the Andrews Sisters to help him retain his desire to serve his country in peace. I found Dodd's character to be completely obnoxious and unlikable, and longed to see her not only fail but be totally humiliated in trying to achieve her goals.

The Andrews Sisters have one of their best numbers, "Give Me Some Skin" ("Like they do it in Harlem") which comes with a rousing dance sequence. They are also more involved in the plot this time, with Patty Andrews pursued by Lou who has been sending her love letters, minus a photo of course. It's ironic that their ship is heading for Hawaii, considering that Pearl Harbor's attack was just around the corner. The fact that Dodd's character somehow ends up on the ship was a bit disturbing, but I allowed for it quite reluctantly, knowing that there would be a memorable payoff. Dodd's actions do finally impact her as she sees exactly why he wanted to desperately escape the obsessive public.

The antics of Bud and Lou are quite funny and the musical numbers add a lot of jazzy jitterbugging into the fun. When the Andrews Sisters land in Hawaii, they add some boogie woogie into the hula. This is just one of many comedies which insists that 7 goes inyi 28 13 times, and has evidence to prove it.

Abbott & Costello become sailors In the Navy

[tavm · 7/10 · 7 April 2023]

Having just left Laurel & Hardy attempting to sail a boat in Towed in a Hole, I just now rewatched Abbott & Costello as sailors in In the Navy. Also on board is former Warner Bros. Musical star Dick Powell as a popular radio crooner who's anxious to ditch his female fans and Claire Dodd as a newspaper photographer trying to take his picture. Returning with Bud & Lou in this, their third starring film but their second released after Buck Privates (which is mistakenly IDed in the beginning flag-pulling sequence), are Shemp Howard as their foil and The Andrews Sisters who this time, besides doing their singing numbers, also have dialogue with most of the above cast with lead singer Patty, especially, reciting lines, usually with Costello since he's smitten with her in this one. Plenty of funny routines abound and the songs are pretty entertaining. The climax involving Lou and Patty and her siblings possibly involved in a disastrous ship maneuver is not as hilarious as one wants it to be but it's amusing in its own right. Watching this again after 40 years, I looked for eventual set court jester Bobby Barber after looking at the cast list on this site but I didn't recognize him. Consulting the book "Abbott & Costello in Hollywood", I was pleased to see Lou's then two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Carole in the brief baby carriage scene in which she takes her father's message as well as Bud's stunt double Joe LaCava in the "Lemon Bit" routine. I've been highly enjoying revisiting these A & C flicks for review on this site especially in comparison to many Laurel & Hardy films with similar subjects or routines I comment on. So that's a recommendation of In the Navy. Next, I'll review L & H's Them Thar Hills.

Bud and Lou at sea...

[simeon_flake · 7/10 · 11 September 2014]

Somewhere, hidden within what seems like a ton of singing and dancing numbers and the requisite romantic subplot, there's actually a very fine Abbott and Costello comedy to be found.

Not that I have anything personal against the Andrews Sisters--but the time devoted to their singing numbers is time I would rather see Bud & Lou work their magic. But--when given the opportunity--Bud & Lou do a stellar job with such classic routines as the Lemon Bit & 7x13=28.

And fans of the Three Stooges may get a kick out of seeing Shemp Howard in this film--although he rarely gets an opportunity to flex his comedic muscles--reportedly Shemp did a lot of funny stuff in his A & C appearances that got left on the cutting room floor. Still, I enjoyed when during the Lemon Bit, Shemp ask Bud if he's mad then advises him to suck on a lemon.

Another highlight--and maybe the funniest scene in the entire film-- is Lou's dream sequence where he masquerades as the Captain of the ship.

Overall, if you can bare all the singing and dancing, then "In the Navy" rates as a fine Bud & Lou comedy that could have been great if a lot of the fat was trimmed--but then again, I could say the same for a lot of Bud & Lou's early features.

A&C's best service comedy

[jimtinder · 8/10 · 12 January 2001]

The duo's second service comedy of 1941 is also one of their best films. The humor abounds, especially in the sequence where Costello tries to impress the Andrews Sisters by captaining the ship. The comic highlights of the film are the "Lemon Bit" (watch as the boys try to keep a straight face) and Costello's efforts to get into a hammock.

The romantic subplot isn't bad, either, as the always excellent Dick Powell croons his way into Claire Dodd's heart. One may find themself wrapped up in this plotline, unlike most romantic subplots in A&C's films.

Funny material, the Andrews Sisters, a decent plot and an appearance by the one and only Shemp Howard make "In The Navy" an A&C treat. 8 out of 10.

pretty much "Buck Privates, Part 2"

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 22 February 2006]

If you liked Abbott and Costello in BUCK PRIVATES, then boy are you in for a treat. Their next film was less a new film for them but the last film reprised almost exactly--except now they are in the Navy instead of the Army. Once again the boys are in the service and they are supported by the Andrews Sisters--with lots and lots of singing--too much if you ask me. And, the laughs are pretty much the same once again with no major surprises, though some of the routines are pretty cute (such as Costello teaching Abbott math). It's a pretty well-made but very formulaic film. It also wasn't helped by the extensive and silly use of cheap toy models and a romance that comes out of no where for the finale. How much you like the film is strongly dependent on your love for this comedy team. Kids and some adults probably will enjoy it most, while those who hate old movies will probably be bored by the whole thing.

Now I know my opinion is probably NOT that shared by many Abbott and Costello fans. I like their early films but really think they suffer some from all that irrelevant music as well as having subplots involving a third party. In BUCK PRIVATES, Lee Bowman often took center stage--here, it's Dick Powell. While both are fine actors, they sure aren't funny and had no place in the film. I want 100% Abbott and Costello in my films--such as ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN or some of their other post-1941 films.

Abbott and Costello lift Navy morale film

[SimonJack · 8/10 · 16 January 2015]

This is the second morale film that Universal put out in 1941 as the U.S. was building up its Armed Forces in anticipation of involvement in the war. World War II had officially begun Sept. 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland. But, Nazi Germany had taken over other countries before then. And, Japan had begun an invasion of China four years earlier. Germany invaded France on May 10, 1940, and Great Britain had declared war on Germany. That was the state of the world a year before "In the Navy" reached theaters in the U.S. It was anyone's guess when America might be drawn into the war. Few people could imagine how that would happen just six months later when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

As in "Buck Privates," Bud Abbott and Lou Costello don uniforms of a service to give the folks at home a look at service in the modern Navy, but with their comedy and hijinks added. The movie is built around a plot of an idolized crooner who is tired of the adulation from fawning women. So, he disappears to join the Navy incognito. Dick Powell plays that role nicely as Thomas Halstead. His love interest turns out to be a Paparazzi-type woman reporter/photographer who's trying to get the scoop on where the heartthrob singer has gone. Claire Dodd plays that role well as Dorothy Roberts. Along with Powell's couple of songs, the Andrews Sisters round out the entertainment in this comedy-musical romance. They don't have any hit tunes in this film, but the Andrews Sisters make any film more worthwhile viewing. They have one very different number – a Hawaiian luau song that is set to a swing beat.

"In the Navy" doesn't have Bud and Lou in boot camp, but already serving in the Navy. The antics here are aboard ship and when hosting civilians. Bud is Smokey Adams and Lou is Pomeroy Watson. As in most of their films, the comics have some routines that they might have done in vaudeville. The Marx Brothers also did things like that in their movies. In most cases, it provides the best comedy of the films – for those who use this technique. The laughs here come from Lou getting the best of Bud for once. Bud again film-flams Lou in a money sketch. But in another one, Lou and Shemp Howard (as Dizzy) catch Bud in a version of a shell game. Then Lou has a long sketch in which he teaches Bud the basics of math. He can multiply, divide and add to show that 13 times 7 is 28. We also have a very funny sequence of ship maneuvering – naturally, with Lou in charge. But it turns out to be just a dream by Lou – otherwise the Navy wouldn't give its blessing for the film.

So, after six years in the Navy, Lou and Bud will see sea duty, being assigned with Tommy to the Battleship Alabama. I suppose Universal wanted to use a fictitious name so as not to embarrass any sailors on a real ship of the time. And, with the Alabama in this film going to Hawaii, this fictitious ship would likely have been at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked it six months later. Perhaps providence had a hand in guiding the naming of the ship in this film.

As it turned out, the Navy did later have a battleship named the U.S.S. Alabama. On Feb. 16, the next year, the Alabama was launched at the Norfolk (VA) Naval Shipyard. It first saw duty in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea area, assigned to the British Home Fleet. Then, in August 1943, the Alabama sailed to the South Pacific. It saw combat in many of the war battles of the Pacific after that and earned nine battle stars It was decommissioned after the war. Since 1964, the Alabama has been in Battleship Memorial Park as a museum on the coast at Mobile, Alabama.

Universal made one other movie with Abbott and Costello ("Hold That Ghost") after release of "Buck Privates" in February 1941. But the first film had received a great reception by the public, and the growing world tensions had many expecting the U.S. involvement in the war at any moment. So, the studio rushed the comedy duo and others into production of "In the Navy" and held back release of the "Ghost" until after this one. After "Ghost" they would do one more service film -- about the Army Air Corps.

I think it's very interesting to see the scenes in this film of Hawaii. Some more recent books and films about World War II and the U.S. involvement try to give more drama to the Japanese attack of Dec 7, 1941, by saying that most Americans had never even heard of Pearl Harbor. That may be, but anyone who saw this movie, would probably have known about it. And, with the growing public interest in the armed services and the news commentaries about American defense and preparedness, it's likely that many more of the public at least knew that Pearl Harbor was the U.S. Navy base in Hawaii.

One other interesting thing about this film is the frequent use of the slang term "gob" for enlisted sailors. One doesn't hear that term much today. I think it was used most often by the British, and apparently by Ameicans around that time.

Besides its entertainment value, "In the Navy" is another WWII era film with some historical interest and value.

Lacking plot but has some amusing moments

[bob the moo · 30 September 2009]

Popular crooner Russ Raymond pulls a disappearing act at the height of his popularity, everyone wants the story as to where he has gone. One journalist finds him serving in the Navy under an assumed name but has to get proof for her sceptical boss. While she keeps trying to get into the base and get proof, two of the sailors have their own problems – specifically Seaman Pomeroy Watson who has romantic aspirations with one of the Andrews Sisters.

I shan't bother describing the plot more than I have above because I have already put more effort into it than the film itself does. I have seen many Abbott & Costello films and this is probably one of the ones with the thinnest plots – normally they have "straight" scenes to carry the plot but these are minimal here and the Abbott & Costello bits don't have much of a connection to the "main" narrative. This makes for an odd feeling film because it doesn't offer much to be engaged with or provide much of a structure to things. This also leaves the usual "romantic" plot with Costello hanging out there on its own – something that it cannot cope with and that doesn't work much. This lack of structure prevents the film getting a flow and instead lets it stand or fall on whatever it happens to be doing at that time.

Fortunately there are several good comedy routines with A&C which provide chuckles – none of them are classic by any means but they are still funny. The musical numbers are OK, although "give me some skin" is a weirdly memorable routine from three very white singers! Abbott & Costello work well with one another and their material. You can sort of see that they are not working with their best material but they don't let it show that much in their comic turns. Powell is dull as he has been in other similar roles while Dodd has a bit of spirit but isn't used well by the material. The Andrews Sisters may well have been big draws of the day and talented singers but they are not great actresses and indeed Patty has no chemistry or presence to speak of – really hurting the romantic thread.

Overall then this is only a so-so A&C film. The lack of structure or plot hurts it and, while it is quite amusing it is never funny enough or strong enough to cover the other gaps. Fans will get something from it of course but it is not a great film despite some amusing scenes.

"You not only wrecked my whole life but you spoiled my whole day."

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 27 September 2015]

Dick Powell plays a popular crooner who disappears and joins the Navy, where he meets bumbling sailors Abbott & Costello. They help him avoid being caught by a tricky reporter (Claire Dodd) trying to get a scoop. We saw Abbott & Costello try their hand at the Army in Buck Privates and now we see how they fare with the Navy. A few of the duo's funny routines this time are the shell game, the lemon bit, and "7 x 13 = 28." Lou's especially lovable in this one ("Anything but a barber!"). Dick Powell does fine with an unchallenging role. Claire Dodd and Dick Foran offer fun support. Some of my favorite parts of the movie involve the Andrews Sisters, who not only perform songs as they did in Buck Privates but get to do some acting, too. Patty Andrews is the object of Lou's affection in this one and the two have some cute scenes together. The funny climax featuring Lou impersonating the ship's captain was changed to a dream sequence because the Navy objected, thinking it made them look bad that a moron could take control of a battleship. It's a lighthearted, fun movie with plenty of laughs and enjoyable songs ("Gimme Some Skin, My Friend" is a highlight). Not A&C's best but lots of fun.

Another great comedy in Abbott & Costello's Service Comedy Trilogy in the most memorable year of their career.

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 7/10 · 18 July 2022]

In The Navy (1941) : Brief Review -

Another great comedy in Abbott & Costello's Service Comedy Trilogy in the most memorable year of their career. In The Navy was Abbott and Costell's second service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940, after "Buck Privates" (1941). The film manages to pull off another great comedy in the trilogy that ended with "Keep 'Em Flying" (1941). Army, Navy and Airforce, they did comedies on all three departments of defence services before the United States entered World War II. In The Navy is as funny as any Abbott and Costello film, and has some of the greatest comic scenes of all time, but lacks good writing. Now that's not a big issue, and it is not even an issue for those who love to watch good comedies without good stories. For me, this film has three big highlight comedy scenes that are just outstanding. One is the submarine game. Oh god, how did Lou Abbott even do the tricking with those bowls? The second one, of course, is the mathematics around number 28. So, 7 into 4 is 28 you say. Well, Costello will prove you wrong with his insane calculations. For him, it's 7 into 13 that makes 28. I believe that the water scene is the third best comedy scene. The film is about Pomeroy and Smiley's adventures in the Navy as they help a famous American singer, Russ, in hiding his identity and saving him from a female journalist who wants to use his picture to make the front page hot. Abbott and Costello are both terrific forms of the high-on-water entertainer. The film suffers due to weak writing, especially during the love story part. Russ and Dorothy's equation seemed off track throughout the film, and the climax was bizarre. And excluding that, Arthur Lubin has another winner in hand with a perfect riding vehicle for Abbott and Costello fans, and yes, don't forget The Andrews Sisters.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

In the Navy review

[JoeytheBrit · 6/10 · 23 April 2020]

An early Abbott & Costello comedy which means that Abbott isn't quite the sour-faced bully he would later become and Costello isn't quite as dumb. There are some decent routines amongst the more obvious low-brow humour, but way too much warbling from the likes of Dick Powell and the Andrews Sisters.

Lou Costello breaking character makes this a must watch.

[chand-suhas · 6/10 · 24 December 2023]

Famous singer Russ Raymond has enlisted into the navy under his real name Tommy Halstead. A reporter is after to click his picture and break the news first. It is upto Smokey Adams and Pomeroy Watson to hide Tommy from the reporter and thwart any attempt from her to expose him while Pomeroy and Smokey have their routine along with Pomeroy falling for one of the Andrews sisters. On board the battleship, the comedic mayhem ensues.

The duo do their best and repeat their famous acts to keep this 1hr 25mins film as funny as possible. The repetitiveness of the routine doesn't let the fun get impacted entirely as the duo are still in form. The other plot involving the singer is half baked as well and doesn't leave any impact. The Andrews sisters get to sing and that is largely passable. Much of the heavy lifting is done by Lou Costello and he doesn't disappoint. Overall it's a decent one time watch, not too funny as one can expect.