Redundant and unnecessary.

Overrated

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Dick Powell plays a popular crooner who disappears and joins the Navy, where he meets bumbling sailors Abbott & Costello. They help him avoid being caught by a tricky reporter (Claire Dodd) trying to get a scoop. We saw Abbott & Costello try their hand at the Army in Buck Privates and now we see how they fare with the Navy. A few of the duo's funny routines this time are the shell game, the lemon bit, and "7 x 13 = 28." Lou's especially lovable in this one ("Anything but a barber!"). Dick Powell does fine with an unchallenging role. Claire Dodd and Dick Foran offer fun support. Some of my favorite parts of the movie involve the Andrews Sisters, who not only perform songs as they did in Buck Privates but get to do some acting, too. Patty Andrews is the object of Lou's affection in this one and the two have some cute scenes together. The funny climax featuring Lou impersonating the ship's captain was changed to a dream sequence because the Navy objected, thinking it made them look bad that a moron could take control of a battleship. It's a lighthearted, fun movie with plenty of laughs and enjoyable songs ("Gimme Some Skin, My Friend" is a highlight). Not A&C's best but lots of fun.

Somewhere, hidden within what seems like a ton of singing and dancing numbers and the requisite romantic subplot, there's actually a very fine Abbott and Costello comedy to be found. Not that I have anything personal against the Andrews Sisters--but the time devoted to their singing numbers is time I would rather see Bud & Lou work their magic. But--when given the opportunity--Bud & Lou do a stellar job with such classic routines as the Lemon Bit & 7x13=28. And fans of the Three Stooges may get a kick out of seeing Shemp Howard in this film--although he rarely gets an opportunity to flex his comedic muscles--reportedly Shemp did a lot of funny stuff in his A & C appearances that got left on the cutting room floor. Still, I enjoyed when during the Lemon Bit, Shemp ask Bud if he's mad then advises him to suck on a lemon.Another highlight--and maybe the funniest scene in the entire film-- is Lou's dream sequence where he masquerades as the Captain of the ship.Overall, if you can bare all the singing and dancing, then "In the Navy" rates as a fine Bud & Lou comedy that could have been great if a lot of the fat was trimmed--but then again, I could say the same for a lot of Bud & Lou's early features.

Almost every comedy nowadays is purely Rated R for a reason, because it's vulgar trash in some way... unfortunately that is what passes as funny to today's audiences. Well, comedy does not need to be that, as shown here in this wonderfully hilarious military comedy from Abbott & Costello. The routines are so funny and should have your sides splitting! Other entertainment comes from The Andrews Sisters. Their music might be lame by today's standards but you gotta commend 'em for always bringing a smile to the face of our young men in uniform. Including a tap dance routine, the movie is a little more musical than I would have liked but still overall an excellent film! --A Kat Pirate Screener

Popular crooner Russ Raymond pulls a disappearing act at the height of his popularity, everyone wants the story as to where he has gone. One journalist finds him serving in the Navy under an assumed name but has to get proof for her sceptical boss. While she keeps trying to get into the base and get proof, two of the sailors have their own problems – specifically Seaman Pomeroy Watson who has romantic aspirations with one of the Andrews Sisters.I shan't bother describing the plot more than I have above because I have already put more effort into it than the film itself does. I have seen many Abbott & Costello films and this is probably one of the ones with the thinnest plots – normally they have "straight" scenes to carry the plot but these are minimal here and the Abbott & Costello bits don't have much of a connection to the "main" narrative. This makes for an odd feeling film because it doesn't offer much to be engaged with or provide much of a structure to things. This also leaves the usual "romantic" plot with Costello hanging out there on its own – something that it cannot cope with and that doesn't work much. This lack of structure prevents the film getting a flow and instead lets it stand or fall on whatever it happens to be doing at that time.Fortunately there are several good comedy routines with A&C which provide chuckles – none of them are classic by any means but they are still funny. The musical numbers are OK, although "give me some skin" is a weirdly memorable routine from three very white singers! Abbott & Costello work well with one another and their material. You can sort of see that they are not working with their best material but they don't let it show that much in their comic turns. Powell is dull as he has been in other similar roles while Dodd has a bit of spirit but isn't used well by the material. The Andrews Sisters may well have been big draws of the day and talented singers but they are not great actresses and indeed Patty has no chemistry or presence to speak of – really hurting the romantic thread.Overall then this is only a so-so A&C film. The lack of structure or plot hurts it and, while it is quite amusing it is never funny enough or strong enough to cover the other gaps. Fans will get something from it of course but it is not a great film despite some amusing scenes.