Good start, but then it gets ruined

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

With so much talent, while definitely worth watching, 'Four Jills in a Jeep' could have been great. Instead, to me, it was more decent but uneven, and while most of the cast fare well and there are many entertaining bits a couple are not used well.It is easy to see why some may dislike 'Four Jills in a Jeep'. The story isn't much of one and is more an excuse to string along the acts together. The dialogue is forgettable at best and often stilted and on the wrong side of silly. While singing beautifully (of course), Dick Haymes is somewhat dull with his performance betraying acting inexperience and Kay Francis is rather wasted.However, Carole Landis epitomises class and glamour and Martha Raye brings a lot of manic energy to her performance here. Practically forgotten Mitzi Mayfair is a vivaciously cute presence and does a great job in the dance department.Supporting them more than ably are a dynamite Carmen Miranda (living up to her nickname "The Brazilian Bombshell"), a heartfelt Alice Faye (her rendition of "You'll Never Know" is more than likely to induce tears in the eyes and even rolling down the cheeks), an amusing Phil Silvers (in a hilarious scene involving an audience heckler) and charming Betty Grable even if she has been much better elsewhere. Jimmy Dorsey provides invaluable support too, and the Jitterbug sequence is a delight.Production values are very nicely done, black and white is crisp and the photography is pleasing enough. Some songs are more memorable than others but most are a very pleasant listen, though "You'll Never Know" comes closest to being a classic, and cleverly and dynamically choreographed.On the whole, uneven but entertaining. 7/10 Bethany Cox

"Four Jills and a Jeep" is a film about four entertainers who leave the comfort of the United States and head overseas to do their part for the war effort. The stars are Kay Francis, Martha Raye, Carole Landis and Mitzi Mayfair (who was famous for her stage work).When I watched "Four Jills and a Jeep", a assumed that this film was pure fiction. While I know some actresses DID go to the front lines during WWII, I assume Twentieth Century-Fox chose the four featured actresses purely according to who was available. However, after watching one of the special features on the DVD for this film, I watched "The Real Four Jills" and learned much about the background for the film. It turns out that the story was based on a book by Kay Francis about her and the other three women in the film and their experiences traveling together to entertain the US troops in North Africa and England! So, the story is ESSENTIALLY true. What I mean by that is that the four stars were correct but the film was made here in the States AND liberties were taken with their story. So, while the film is pretty good, it's even better knowing the background for their story. Overall, it's enjoyable and worth your time. Plus, while I usually don't like cameos, I really liked seeing and hearing Alice Faye (in a tiny scene) sing her signature song, "You'll Never Know"--a tune that always gets me. And, that jitterbug sequence....WOW! By the way, I was just curious and read through the five stars' biographies on IMDb for Kay Francis, Carole Landis, Mitzi Mayfair, Martha Raye and Dick Haymes and found that between them, they had 24 marriages! And, while I already knew this, Landis killed herself at age 29. Yikes...such is the Hollywood life.

This film obviously was directed mainly at homesick GIs. The Hollywood stars on this fabricated USO tour are mostly among the secondary ranks. However, cameos of Fox's 3 reigning female musical-comedy divas during the war are also included. Betty Grable, Alice Faye and Carmen Miranda sing their signature love songs over the radio to complement the live entertainment. Phil Silvers as the official male escort for the 'girls' is definitely a plus. He was consistently under-appreciated by Fox as a comedian, being mainly used to liven up some of their second rate films. Martha Raye serves well as his female counterpart. Actually, she began her Hollywood career as more of a singer than a comedian, and she does a bit of both in this one. Mitzi Mayfaire, mostly a Broadway dancer, supplies nearly all the dancing for the group. She was cute, flirtaceous and vivacious: definitely a plus. Too bad she didn't get more film roles. Carol Landis mainly filled the desire for a classy-looking blonde. Her USO tours were the highlight of her short life. Although she had a variety of marriages and other romantic relationships in her short life, apparently she was unable to find any lasting romantic or professional relationship. Kay Francis essentially served as the 'girls' chaparone. Dick Haymes was boring in his usual slow forgettable romantic ballads. Otherwise, the film chronicles some of the hardships that USO stars likely encountered. It doesn't include the severe health problems that Carol Landis suffered as a result. This film is included in one of the DVD compendiums of Alice Faye films, much to the displeasure of most reviewers.

Except for the musical numbers, this picture was a waste of time and talent by all concerned. The humor is strictly cornball and the plot is non-existent, the acting stilted and self-conscious. The sole bright spot is Martha Raye, who shows off her particular brand of manic comedy as well as a pretty fair singing voice. The usually dependable Phil Silvers is also on hand in a thankless role which does him no credit.Four entertainers volunteer to go overseas to entertain the troops, and are placed in artificial plot circumstances and unfunny situations. Was this really the best the studio could do? Was there no plausible storyline to put performers in while waiting for a song spot? As stated, the musical numbers are the only reason to watch this almost unwatchable movie. Special thanks go to Betty Grable and Alice Faye for their singing cameos, and to the Jimmy Dorsey band for livening up the proceedings.