Follow The Boys

Storyline

Follow The Boys, Bonnie, Toni, Michele and Liz are on the Riviera to visit their respective husbands and boyfriends in the U.S. Navy. Bonnie tries to resume her canceled honeymoon, Liz wishes her newly-promoted husband would settle down, Frenchwoman Michele wants Lt. Langley to spend some time with her, meanwhile his fiancee Toni takes an interest in Lt. Smith.

Wholesome fun for that time of Hollywood

Follow The Boys, Only one person commented on this film before me, and since I just watched it on DVD, I wanted to give a little perspective so movie-lovers can decide if they might like to watch it.

“Follow the Boys” fits a sub-genre of films produced from about the mid- 1950s to the mid-1960s. Mostly aimed at teen and young adult audiences, it’s a combination comedy, romance, musical and fun time flick. Viewers may be most familiar with the beach blanket bingo lot, and a few other bobby-soxer and older male idol films of that period. This film though, has a little more plot to it. It has a good and light look at Navy service, and it’s a step up from the teen fun to young love in marriage.

It’s a wholesome film fit for family viewing. Its portrayal of the sexes as somewhat awkward and a little blushed at times, with a goodly amount of respect tossed in, and the usual pride between boy and girl, very well represents the largest chunk of young Americans of the time – teens and young adults. The film takes place around the end of the “golden” teen years – the period from after WWII until the early 1960s. These were the early years of the Cold War, and light entertainment helped folks ease the tension and thoughts about a looming nuclear disaster from the Soviet Union. Much as entertainment helped provide some relief from the worry and struggles of the Great Depression before WW II.

The musical scene had transitioned from swing to rock and roll. Elvis was the undisputed king of the platters then. The Beatles were yet to come, having just started to achieve fame in England. Flower children, hippies and Woodstock were yet in the future.

“Follow the Boys” has several funny scenes – among the Navy men aboard ship, and among its four women stars. A few songs sung by Connie Francis fit nicely in the film. Francis was one of several young stars of that period who had an outstanding singing voice.
“Follow the Boys” is a fun movie that will also give people today a look at the type of entertainment of that period. And, it’s a good look at the mores of the young generation at that time in our history.

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