Hit the Deck: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Re-release of 1955 Film) [Soundtrack] [Extra tracks]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
By the 50's, the lavish adaptation of Broadway musicals had already been a lucrative Hollywood staple for decades. But the times--and tastes--were changing; television and rock & roll would soon virtually spell the end of the traditional genre. Ostensibly, MGM's Hit the Deck hewed close to the studio's big-budget film musical formula: an all-star cast, eye-catching sets, and show-stopping production numbers. But No, No, Nanette composer Vincent Youmans's tale of three sailors on leave was already nearly 30 years old by the time Metro acquired the film rights (while the similarly themed, more musically contemporary Bernstein/Comden/Green show On the Town had already been a postwar hit), and their 1955 adaptation seemed somewhat quaint. Still, it's a solid musical show (highlighted by the rousing "Hallelujah"), full of strong performances by stars Vic Damone, Debbie Reynolds, Tony Martin, and Ann Miller. This release marks the film soundtrack's CD debut, restoring many previously abridged numbers and presenting all in stereo for the first time. --Jerry McCulley

Tracks:

Main Title - Hit The Deck ST
Hallelujah! - Tony Martin/Vic Damone/Rex Dennis
An Armful Of You - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
Keepin' Myself For You - Ann Miller/Tony Martin/Betty Noyes/Gloria Wood/Loulie Jean Norman/Betty Wand/Virginia Reese...
Lucky Bird - Jane Powell
A Kiss Or Two - Debbie Reynolds & Boys Trio
Keepin' Myself For You - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
Why Oh Why - Tony Martin/Vic Damone/Rex Dennis
Sometimes I'm Happy - Jane Powell
I Know That You Know - Jane Powell/Vic Damone
The Lady From The Bayou - Ann Miller
An Armful Of You (Instrumental Reprise) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
Dormi Dormi (Outtake) - Kay Armen/Vic Damone
Ciribiribin - Kay Armen/Vic Damone/Jane Powell/Debbie Reynolds/Rex Dennis
Why Oh Why - Jane Powell/Debbie Reynolds/Ann Miller
More Than You Know - Tony Martin
Fun House Sequence (The Harbor Of My Heart/A Kiss Or Two) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
Sometimes I'm Happy (Reprise/Outtake) - Jane Powell/Vic Damone
Overture - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
Theatre Stage Chase Number (Medley: Join The Navy/Loo Loo) - Debbie Reynolds/The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
Hallelujah! (Reprise/Finale) - Kay Armen/Jane Powell/Debbie Reynolds/Ann Miller/Tony Martin/Vic Damone/Clark Burroughs...
End Cast (Join The Navy) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra

Amazon.com

By the 50's, the lavish adaptation of Broadway musicals had already been a lucrative Hollywood staple for decades. But the times--and tastes--were changing; television and rock & roll would soon virtually spell the end of the traditional genre. Ostensibly, MGM's Hit the Deck hewed close to the studio's big-budget film musical formula: an all-star cast, eye-catching sets, and show-stopping production numbers. But No, No, Nanette composer Vincent Youmans's tale of three sailors on leave was already nearly 30 years old by the time Metro acquired the film rights (while the similarly themed, more musically contemporary Bernstein/Comden/Green show On the Town had already been a postwar hit), and their 1955 adaptation seemed somewhat quaint. Still, it's a solid musical show (highlighted by the rousing "Hallelujah"), full of strong performances by stars Vic Damone, Debbie Reynolds, Tony Martin, and Ann Miller. This release marks the film soundtrack's CD debut, restoring many previously abridged numbers and presenting all in stereo for the first time. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

welcome reissue.......2003-10-18

HIT THE DECK was originally staged on Broadway in 1927, featuring a score by Vincent Youmans ("No No Nanette"). It took nearly 30 years for M-G-M to bring the property to the screen. It was well worth the wait. The studio cast several of their top musical stars, including resident soprano Jane Powell, tap-dancer extraordinaire Ann Miller, matinee idol crooner Vic Damone, and romantic comedy lead Debbie Reynolds.

HIT THE DECK preceeded "On the Town" and "Anchors Aweigh", and is the grand-daddy of the 'sailors on shore-leave' musicals. The story is enlivened no end by the talented cast, who all get fabulous numbers to perform. Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell come off best with such delights as "Sometimes I'm Happy", "Lucky Bird", "Why Oh Why?", and "Loo-Loo". M-G-M Records artist Kay Armen (in a supporting role as Vic Damone's mother) sings "Ciribiribin", a wistful love song. Ann Miller's singing was dubbed here (and rather noticeably) by Kitty White.

The entire cast brings down the house with the rousing finale of "Hallelujah!", which involves Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell doing a harmony, Kay Armen with the lead vocal, and Ann Miller featured in a spectacular tap-solo.

For a studio concentrating on the cutting-edge trends of musicals, HIT THE DECK was something of a throwback. A lot of it comes down to the producer, Joe Pasternak, who was renowned for his sentimental streak in choosing musicals. This musical doesn't have the edge or wit of "On the Town", but can be heartily enjoyed on it's own terms.

Rhino/TCM have done their usual stellar job in restoring this soundtrack album, rescuing the cut sequences of "Dormi Dormi" (Kay Armen & Vic Damone), "Fun House", the reprise of "Sometimes I'm Happy" (Jane Powell & Vic Damone), and the "Theatre Chase Overture".

[Warner/TCM 8122 76668-2]

Thought I'd never find it!!.......2003-04-10

This is a soundtrack I didn't think I would ever find. I love this movie and the music in it is so uplifting. My husband actually bought it for me before we were married and I will always love and listen to it, I never get tired of those songs. sometimes I find myself wishing real life could be like a musical, but I think having the soundtrack is the next best thing!!! Having music like this really beats the alternative of some of the bad music people are coming out with nowadays. Gotta love the classics!!!!!

As good as it gets.......2001-10-23

This is one of the most exhilarating of all the MGM soundtrack albums that have come from the Turner vaults so far. The recording quality is as good as it gets, with wonderful stereo and what can one say about the orchestrations, the MGM orchestra and the vocals? Not to mention the splendid old musical comedy score revitalised in a most exciting way. If you are a fan of musical soundtracks, you'll love this one because it's truly a classic. It's a shame the MGM video of the film is such poor quality that it doesn't do it justice. There's no comparison with this CD, which certainly does. Great performers like Tony Martin, Ann Miller, Vic Damone, Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell give of their best and that really is tops in listening pleasure. I'm still hoping they'll bring out more titles like "Words and Music", "Thousands Cheer", "Good News" etc. Meantime I'm delighted to get "Hit the Deck", which I highly recommend!

MGM at it's best........2001-03-24

I saw this film when I was an impressionable kid of 15 and quite taken with the songs, dances, the Navy and Ann Miller's legs. I must have seen the film over ten times in the movies. I bought the album on 45 EPs and later on LP. But after hearing the CD I just couldn't believe anything could sound that good me. Who ever was responsible, thanks and do it some more. There are so many productions released on CD that just do not measure up but this one exceeded all my expectations. The extra music was a real surprise and quality is just unbelievable. What memories!!!

Stereo At It's Best.......2001-02-05

I must start by saying briefly - the music on this recording includes finely orchestrated, beautifully sung songs and energetic dance numbers. But what really added to my listening pleasure was the superlative remastering of the original recordings for this CD. The CD has wide open stereo sound that sounds so good, it could have been originally recorded today. The music and the voices open your home listening space as no other historical film soundtrack recording has done in the recent past. Magnificent.

Music:

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