Two Girls and a Sailor


Two Girls and a Sailor is a 1944 American musical film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Van Johnson, June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven. Set on the American homefront during World War II, it's about two singing sisters who create a lavish canteen to entertain members of the military, thanks to financial contributions from a mysterious donor. The picture features a host of celebrity performances, including Jimmy Durante doing his hallmark "Inka Dinka Doo", Gracie Allen, and Lena Horne. Richard Connell and Gladys Lehman were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Plot

Two sisters, Jean and Patsy Deyo, are born into a vaudeville family, and when they grow up, start an act themselves. One night, they invite a bunch of servicemen to their apartment. They are both attracted to a sailor named Johnny. Jean points out to Johnny an unused nearby warehouse they wish they could make into a canteen to entertain the troops.
An anonymous benefactor they call "Somebody" starts fulfilling that goal. First, a Mr. Nizby shows up and hands them the keys to the warehouse, announcing they now own it. As the two sisters explore the dusty building, they discover that Billy Kipp, an old vaudeville performer they knew as kids, has been squatting there ever since his wife left him and took their infant son many years ago. A horde of cleaners tidies up, and the place is made into an inviting canteen, all courtesy of "Somebody". Famous entertainers perform, as do Jean and Patsy.
Johnny starts dating Jean, unaware that Patsy is also in love with him. Meanwhile, Patsy tries to discover who "Somebody" is. Finally, she learns that he is none other than Johnny. Also, Johnny turns out to be in love with Patsy, and Jean with Sergeant Frank Miller, but both did not want to hurt the other. Everything gets straightened out in the end. To top it off, Billy spots a sailor who looks just like a younger version of himself, down to his nose. His son and he are joyfully reunited.

Soundtrack

OvertureDid You Ever Have the Feeling That You Wanted to Go? - Written and performed by Jimmy DuranteWho Will Be with You When I'm Far Away - Performed, words, music by Jimmy DuranteSweet and Lovely - words music by Gus Arnheim, Harry Tobias, Jules Lemare - Performed by June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven A-Tisket, A-Tasket - words music by Al Feldman and Ella Fitzgerald - Performed by June Allyson and Gloria DeHavenCharmaine - by Erno Rapee and Lew Pollack - Performed by Harry James and His Music MakersA Love Like Ours - words by Mann Holiner, music by Alberta Nichols - Performed by June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven, with Harry James and His Music MakersRumba Rumba - words by Sammy Gallop, music by José Pafumy - Performed by Lina Romay with Xavier Cugat and His OrchestraGranada - words music by Agustín Lara - Performed by Carlos Ramírez, with Xavier Cugat and His OrchestraBim, Bam, Bum - Performed by Xavier Cugat and His OrchestraMy Mother Told Me - Sung by Gloria DeHaven; later reprised by Van Johnson, Tom Drake and Frank SullyEstrellita - music by M. M. Ponce - Performed by Harry James and His Music MakersTake It Easy - words music by Al DeBru, Irving Taylor, Vic Mizzy - Performed by Virginia O'Brien, Lee Wilde, Lyn Wilde, and Lina Romay with Xavier Cugat and His OrchestraThrill of a New Romance - Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra. Danced by Ben Blue and Lina RomayConcerto for Index Finger - Performed on piano by Gracie Allen with orchestra, conducted by Albert CoatesIn A Moment of Madness - words by Ralph Freed, music by Jimmy McHugh - Sung by Helen Forrest, accompanied by Harry James and His Music MakersFlash - by Harry JamesThe Young Man with a Horn - words by Ralph Freed, music by Georgie Stoll - Performed by June Allyson and Harry James and His Music MakersAnchors Aweigh - Performed by an unidentified marching band in the dream sequenceYou, Dear - words by Ralph Freed, music by Sammy Fain - Performed by Harry James and His Music MakersBabalú - words music by Margarita Lecuona - Performed by Lina Romay with Xavier Cugat and His OrchestraInka Dinka Doo - words music by Jimmy Durante, Ben Ryan, Harry Donnelly - Performed by Jimmy DuranteRitual Fire Dance - by Manuel de Falla - Performed on pianos by José Iturbi and Amparo IturbiPaper Doll - words music by Johnny S. Black - Performed by Lena Horne
  • Medley - Performed by Allyson, DeHaven with Harry James and His Music Makers
Source: IMDB

Reception

According to MGM records, the film earned $2,852,000 in the US and Canada and $1,724,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $1,726,000.
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: