GManfred
"About Face" is not really a bad movie - it's just not as good as it could be. It is a remake of a movie made in the 30's called "Brother Rat", which was based on a Broadway play. "Brother Rat" is a better movie than 'About Face" as it had a better cast and a more subtle approach to the comedy angle; "About Face" is somewhat heavy-handed in this regard.In my opinion, what really sinks "About Face" is the forgettable musical score. For some reason it was decided to remake it as a musical, but the songs are very ordinary. The songs are trifling and unmemorable, except for Joel Grey's number. And a reviewer above is right about the closing tap dancing number. It was a show-stopper, but the show was over.I saw "About Face" when it first came out. I was 11 and I loved it, and saw it several times. Funny how time and age can provide a different perspective. It is harmless fare and entertaining to a point, but sometimes a substantial time lapse can lead to disappointment.
Kirk-Jusko
Not nearly as good as Brother Rat, the 1938 black-and-white movie (based on a play of the same name) from which it was remade. The humor is much too exaggerated, and it needn't be. The problems the three friends create for themselves should be funny enough. You don't need the added slapstick to musical accompaniment. I normally like Eddie Bracken, but I prefer Eddie Albert's more subtle take on the same character 14 years earlier. Besides, Bracken's looks too old to be a student. Actually, they ALL look too old, but Bracken could play someone's father. Joel Grey's musical number where he imitates Jerry Lewis is the best thing about this movie, even if it doesn't exactly service the plot. I also liked--I'm not sure if this is considered a spoiler or not so I checked the box just to be sure--Cliff Ferre's tap dance that closes out the movie.
dixie-18
This film is not bad, but a washed out version of "BROTHER RAT" (1938) that starred Ronald Reagan, Eddie Alber and Wayne Morris, three "rats" who are enrolled at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), a real place. There are never any freshmen at VMI, they are deemed "rats", and the bond between them usually is a lifelong one. This film is a black and white classic that is fondly screend at VMI, in Lexington, to this day.
mojobates
I love this movie. It has everything a musical/comedy needs. After all these years I can still hear the songs and see the cast singing and playing the instruments. Joel Gray looks like a young boy in this movie. It might even have been his first role in a movie. As a child I watched this movie over and over again on the Million Dollar Movie in New York. They would play the movie all day long over and over again for a full week. I never got tired of it!
AD
