edwagreen Delightful musical comedy with William Holden, as a shy sailor, beginning his illustrious career in films. After dazzling two women, sailors on the ship wager that he can conquer and defrost the Countess, well played by Dorothy Lamour, especially in a court room scene where she pulls out all the stops as a vamp.Bette Hutton and Eddie Bracken are along for the ride. They provide real comic antics while accidentally constantly derailing the budding romance between the Holden and Lamour characters.Benny Goodman is on hand with his band and the songs are delightfully staged- Tangerine, I Remember You and others. There is even a delightful comedy ballet in between.That court room scene and the brawl on the dance floor during a Conga dance are memorable.

Neil Doyle DOROTHY LAMOUR never looked more alluring and WILLIAM HOLDEN never looked as impossibly youthful as he does in THE FLEET'S IN. His acting as a shy sailor shows a natural talent right from the start.It's a "cute" minor musical from the studio that nurtured the talent of BETTY HUTTON, who plays Lamour's roommate. Lamour is a frozen ice queen called "The Countess," known for being "hard to get." When Holden plants a kiss on a pretty society gal that's seen by his Navy buddies and another on a movie star for publicity purposes, his team decides he's a regular sea wolf and place bets on how soon he gets to kiss "The Countess." The slim plot gets interrupted--sometimes for too lengthy a time, by musical comedy acts. GIL LAMB and CASS DALEY are a bit too strident for my taste but BOB EBERLEY and HELEN O'CONNELL can do no wrong when they sing some catchy songs with Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra. EDDIE BRACKEN provides the chief comic relief and does it well.A dancing duo by the name of LORRAINE and ROGNAN do a wildly funny dance act in a nightclub scene. The Johnny Mercer songs include "I Remember You," "Tangerine" and "The Fleet's In." Good escapist fun that lifted the morale of the service men during WWII.

itsmits It took almost 65 years from my first viewing of this musical to the recent viewing when I managed to acquire a DVD of "The Fleet's In". Can't think of another musical in which such disparate performances of classics appear in the same movie. "Tangerine" was identified with Helen O'Connell for her entire career. "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing In A Hurry" was never associated with anyone but the irrepressible Betty Hutton. Although Dorothy Lamour was not as closely identified with the classic "I Remember You", it was the third standard that emerged from this low budget musical. The marvelously funny Lorraine and Rognan were to appear in only one more performance recorded on film ('Salute For Three' in 1943)Gil Lamb may not have been a believable threat to Eddie Bracken but his many and varied comic abilities were superlative such as his 'harmonica' routine. Enough of his work was included to make the 'trip home' delightful. (You CAN go home again for old movies) If the opportunity ever arises, leap at the chance to see this WWII movie.

Bucs1960 "Hey there, mister, you better watch your sister, 'cause the fleet's in". That song sticks in your mind long after you have seen this little early 40's movie. It may not be to all tastes and was a vehicle for actors that would go on to bigger and better things....William Holden, Betty Huttton, Dorothy Lamour,etc. But it is fun. Some of the supporting players, although popular in their day, don't play as well now...Cass Daley and the irritating Gil Lamb. The music of Jimmy Dorsey and the singing of Bob Eberley and Helen O'Connell make it worth watching if for no other reason. Eddie Bracken is great,as usual and a lot of familiar faces show up...Dave Willock, Robert Warwick and Rod Cameron (before his cowboy roles). If you are a fan of "B" musicals that make you smile and go away humming, then this is for you.