Four Jills in a Jeep

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Four Jills in a Jeep is the (mostly) true story of a four-girl USO team, entertaining American troops overseas. Kay Francis, Martha Raye, Carole Landis and Mitzi Mayfair play "themselves," recreating their recent whirlwind tour of Europe and North Africa. This wisp of a plot takes a back seat to the musical numbers performed by the four stars, by Dick Haymes in his screen debut as a singing GI, and by guest stars Alice Faye, Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda. Phil Silvers, George Jessel, and Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra also pop up to do their usual. Very much a time capsule of the War years, Four Jills in a Jeep was later adapted into a best-selling book, ostensibly written by costar Carole Landis. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Subtitle: Eng/Fre/Spa
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Features:
  • cc
  • Isolated score track
  • Deleted scenes
  • The Real Four Jills featurette
  • Restoration comparison
  • Advertising gallery
  • Still gallery

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Kay Francis - Herself
       Carole Landis - Herself
       Martha Raye - Herself
       Mitzi Mayfair - Herself
       John Harvey - Ted Warren
       Phil Silvers - Ted Warren
       Dick Haymes - Lt. Dick Ryan
       Alice Faye - Herself
       Betty Grable - Herself
       Carmen Miranda - Herself
       George Jessel - Himself
       Lester Matthews - Capt. Lloyd
       Glenn Langan - Capt. Stewart
       Paul Harvey - General
       Miles Mander - Col. Hartley
       Winifred Harris - Lady Carlton Smith
       Mary Servoss - Nurse Captain
       B.S. Pully - Soldier
       Alec Harford - Priest

• Director:

  William Seiter

• Producer:

  Irving Starr

• Screen Story:

  Carole Landis

• Screenwriter:

  Helen Logan

• Screen Story:

  Fred Niblo, Jr.

• Screenwriter:

  Snag Werris, Robert Ellis

• Screen Story:

  Froma Sand

• Cinematographer:

  J. Peverell Marley

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Charles Henderson, Emil Newman

• Editor:

  Ray F. Curtiss

• Art Director:

  James Basevi, Albert Hogsett

• Set Designer:

  Thomas K. Little, Al Orenbach

• Costume Designer:

  Yvonne Wood

• Special Effects:

  Fred Sersen

• Choreography:

  Don Loper

REVIEW:

• Four Jills in a Jeep probably shouldn't be as entertaining as it is. After all, there's nothing to the story really, which is hardly anything more than a framework that allows the members of the cast a chance to do their various things. The songs are pleasing, of course, but most are pulled from hither and yon rather than being a score written especially for this particular film. And although there are some bona fide big stars among the "guests," the leads are either past their screen prime (Kay Francis) or never really top drawer screen stars (Martha Raye, et al). Yet Jills is a heap of fun, in spite of itself. The plot is nonsense, but the routines are quite engaging, whether they're Phil Silvers doing his usual Phil Silvers routine or Alice Faye doing quite right once again by "You'll Never Know" or the always enjoyable Carmen Miranda "I Yi Yi Yi"-ing her way across the screen. And even if they're not in a league with guest star Betty Grable, Francis, Raye, Carole Landis, and Mitzi Mayfair as a group generate a lot of good will. Check your critical ego at the door, and these Four Jills in a Jeep can show you a good time, Charlie. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi