Best Foot Forward (1943)

62% of users liked it
(227 ratings)

Five original cast members of the hit Broadway musical Best Foot Forward appear in this Technicolor MGM screen adaptation. Set at a small town military prep school, the story gets under way when movie star Lucille Ball (played by movie star Lucille Ball) pays a visit to the campus for publicity… More Five original cast members of the hit Broadway musical Best Foot Forward appear in this Technicolor MGM screen adaptation. Set at a small town military prep school, the story gets under way when movie star Lucille Ball (played by movie star Lucille Ball) pays a visit to the campus for publicity purposes. Several of the students, led by Bud (Tommy Dix), offer to make Lucille the queen of the upcoming prom. But the plot dictates that Bud and his pals are forced to back off from their offer, and to hide Lucille's presence from the faculty. Cast as a hoydenish blind date, Nancy Walker steals the show with her spirited rendition of "Buckle Down, Winsocki"; but of the five carryovers from the original Broadway production, only June Allyson went on to lasting film stardom. Enhancing the film's box-office appeal was MGM's decision to add Harry James and His Music Makers to the cast: James' performance of "The Two O'Clock Jump" is worth the admission price in itself. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Edward Buzzell
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 29, 1943 Wide
On DVD: Jun 19, 2007
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Most of the musical numbers were inconsequential.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Lucy is chic and funny, Nancy Walker is brassy and June Allyson, in her film debut, radiates charisma and youthful exuberance. Some of the musical numbers are corny but most are very enjoyable and well done.
Sarah P

It was an enjoyable movie...it was pretty funny - especially Bud's musical number at the end!