Private Buckaroo
About Private Buckaroo
Singer Lon Prentice wants to enlist, but a flat foot keeps him out until the foot is treated. Once he is Private Prentice, he tells his commander that most of the training is useless and beneath him. The officer then excuses him from anything he does not want to do, and the rest of the camp turns on him. Harry James and the Andrews Sisters turn up as themselves for the camp numbers.
Cast & crew
More about Private Buckaroo
Edward F. Cline directed. Edmond Kelso and Edward James wrote the screenplay from a story by Paul Girard. Ken Goldsmith produced it for Universal. Elwood Bredell photographed it and Milton Carruth edited it. It opened in Los Angeles on May 28, 1942, and went out nationally on June 12.
Themes
Background
Universal released it in the first year of American fighting in World War II, as one of several service musicals built around the Andrews Sisters.
Making
Universal built the picture around the Andrews Sisters and Harry James, who appear as themselves rather than as recruits.
Look
Elwood Bredell photographed the camp numbers and the training-ground scenes.
Music
The score uses songs by Charles Newman and Allie Wrubel, Irving Taylor and Vic Mizzy, Sid Robin, Sam H. Stept and Charles Tobias, Don Raye and Gene de Paul, and the standard 'You Made Me Love You.'
Notes
- Dick Foran plays Lon Prentice. Jennifer Holt plays Joyce Mason, and Ernest Truex plays Colonel Elias Weatherford.
- Shemp Howard is First Sergeant 'Muggsy' Shavel. Joe E. Lewis is Lancelot Pringle McBiff. Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan dance with the Jivin' Jacks and Jills.
- The Andrews Sisters sing 'Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree,' 'Three Little Sisters,' and 'Six Jerks in a Jeep.'
- Harry James and His Music Makers play 'Concerto for Trumpet.' Helen Forrest sings 'You Made Me Love You' with the band.
- Foran sings the title song, written by Charles Newman and Allie Wrubel.
Scenes
- Prentice tells his commander the training is beneath him and is then excused from the work the other men still have to do.
- The Andrews Sisters sing 'Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree' for the camp.
Also available
- Internet Archive (private_buckaroo)
