Private Buckaroo (1942)

 

After their success in the Abbott and Costello movies Buck Privates (1941), In the Navy (1941) and Hold That Ghost (1941), Universal decided to star The Andrew Sisters in their own series of B musicals. Naturally one of these films was a military themed musical comedy in the vein of Buck Privates. Even the title would be similar to that Abbott and Costello classic. The Andrew Sisters would not be the only returning in Private Buckaroo. Shemp Howard (of Three Stooges fame) also returned for this movie. While in Buck Privates, Shemp had a smaller role, in Private Buckaroo Shemp has a much larger role providing much if the comedy in this musical comedy. 

Like Buck Privates, the storyline is basically an excuse for music and comedy. The storyline that is here involves an entertainer named Lon Prentice (Dick Foran), who after getting into the army tells his commanding officer (Richard Davies) that he thinks most military training is useless. His commanding officer orders that he does not have to do any of this training, which causes his fellow recruits to turn against him. He soon learns his lesson. 

Though this movie is strictly a programmer and will never be confused for one of the best Hollywood musicals it is a lot of fun for what it is. The musical numbers are truly excellent. The Andrew Sisters are at the top of their game here and the songs they perform here are all delightfully. However, the other musical performers here are excellent as well. Dick Foran, Joe E. Lewis and especially legendary jazz trumpeter Harry James provide some great music. There is not a weak song number or weak performer in the whole film. The soundtrack simply provides one great song after another. Shemp is at the top of his game as well. Though the humor can be a bit hit and miss (the scenes with the little girl are not especially funny), Shemp gives it his all. His scenes with Mary Wickes are the comedic highlights of the movie and often made me laugh out loud. The storyline may not be much to write home about but great music, an excellent cast and a few really funny moments make this a delight for fans of B musicals. 

Though this was advertised as an Andrew Sisters movie and the sisters receive top credit, the real star of the film was Dick Foran (born June 18, 1910, died August 10, 1979). Dick Foran is best remembered by fans of B Westerns. After the success of Gene Autry's singing cowboy movies, in the mid-1930's Warner Brothers cast Foran as the lead in a series of singing cowboy picture meant to compete with Autry's. When in the 1940's Foran moved to Universal he was often cast in comedies and horror films. Some of the comedies he appeared in were appropriately western themed including the W.C. Feilds and Mae West vehicle My Little Chickadee (1940) and the Abbott and Costello flick Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942). He appeared in two of the Universal monster movies featuring the mummy, The Mummy's Hand (1940) and The Mummy's Tomb (1942). Returning to his B-Western roots, he also starred in two western serials for Universal Winners of the West (1940) and Riders of Death Valley (1941). He would spend the latter part of his career working in television appearing in episodes of such Science Fiction Theatre, Sheriff of Cochise, Father Knows Best, Maverick, Wanted Dead or Alive and the Swamp Fox episodes of Disney's anthology show. 

The movie's director was Edward F. Cline (born November 4, 1891, died May 22, 1961) was one of the best comedy directors of his day. He began his film career at Keystone studios in 1914. He briefly worked as a Keystone Cop before being promoted to an assistant director. By 1916 he had become one of the studio's most prolific directors. He would direct nearly sixty comedies for the studio and has been credited with the formation of the Mack Sennet Bathing Beauties. Silent comedy fans might know him best for his work with Buster Keaton, where he was credited as a co-director (along with Keaton) on some of the great comedian's silent shorts as well as the feature film Three Ages (1923). He continued to direct wonderful comedies well into the sound era. Some of his best work is his work with W.C. Feilds. He directed Feilds in such classic movies as Million Dollar Legs (1932), You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939), My Little Chickadee, The Bank Dick (1940, also featuring Shemp) and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941). He would also work with his old partner Buster Keaton again during the talkie era. He directed Buster in The Villain Still Pursued Her (1940) and the ill-fated TV shows The Buster Keaton Show and Life with Buster Keaton. 

Though Harry James is seen in the army in this film, he was unable to join the military in real life due to a back injury. Also seen here is a teenage Donald O'Connor along with his then screen partner Peggy Ryan. Universal hoped that these two could compete with MGM's Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.

Film Bulletin, 1942

The movie mostly received poor reviews from critics. Bosley Crowther stated, “For consistent ineptness, for frantic dullness, for the sheer impertinent waste of film at a time when Hollywood is supposedly seeking ways of saving raw stock.” A review in The Film Daily stated, "'Private Buckaroo' is just a lot of song strung into a feature length picture with interludes of slapstick here and there. There is no story to speak of and no originality in the presentation of the material. The action takes place in a night club and an army camp. It's all too exaggerated to merit belief. The film's musical content - mostly of the popular sort - should give the production a break with young folks. Older people will find little in 'Private Buckaroo to appeal to them."

   

Motion Picture Daily, 1942

-Michael J. Ruhland

Resources Used

A-Z of Silent Film Comedy by Glenn Mitchell

Chase! A Tribute to the Keystone Cops edited by Lon and Debra Davis. 

https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/87194/private-buckaroo#articles-reviews?articleId=1533967

https://lantern.mediahist.org/

https://cometoverhollywood.com/2020/11/02/musical-monday-private-buckaroo-1942/