If technicolor and over sized fruit are your thing, then 1943's The Gang's All Here is for you. Part of Twentieth Century Fox's Latin phase with Busby Berkeley at the helm, The Gang's All Here is a showcase of over the top musical numbers, colorful wardrobes thanks to Yvonne Wood, and plenty of drama. Our players are Alice Faye and James Ellison with the always entertaining Charlotte Greenwood and Carmen Miranda. This film follows your typical love story with entertaining dance numbers pieced in between. While entertaining, this film starts to become a contest to see how many crazy outfits Carmen Miranda can wear in one film. But let's take a closer look...
Andy (Ellison) is a solider and has a long time honey, Vivian(Sheila Ryan). Before shipping out, Andy meets Edie (Faye) while she is working her gig at the night club. We see the first of many shows starring Carmen Miranda as she parades around with bananas and Brazilian men. Andy follows Edie around and won't leave her alone after she tells him she isn't interested. After a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, she gives in and changes her mind.
"I have two girlfriends now!"
"You don't say!"
After a few hours of romance, Edie falls hard. Andy forgets to tell his girlfriend about his new love and ships off to war. Edie is devastated, but the show must go on.
Is that a hat or a scarf?
Andy is coming home after winning some medals, and his rich father wants to throw a war bond fundraiser when he finds out. He hires the club to come stay at his partner Potter's estate while they iron out the fundraiser details. Potter (played by Edward Everett Horton whom I always enjoy) only drinks lemonade and is a bit of a square. He objects to this swinging party but is talked into it. Potter's daughter also happens to be Andy's girlfriend Vivan. Following along?
I'm wearing more color! No, I am!
Vivian rocking the two belt look.
The show finally gets underway and Edie finds out that her man is also Vivian's man. She is upset but doesn't tell sweet Vivian. Dorita (Carmen Miranda) does her best to keep this a secret. Vivian is excited because she gets to be in the show after mother blackmails her hubby into allowing it.
Andy returns home and the evening gets started. Busby Berkeley does his magic and puts on quite a show.
Before the end, Edie learns her fate. A definite bonus is that of Benny Goodman and his orchestra playing themselves. Berkeley was on loan from MGM to make this film, and the first for him using the three strip technicolor process. He does not hold back. The colors in this film are fantastic, whether it be the many gowns, sets by Thomas Little, who did one of my favorite film sets, Leave Her To Heaven.
