This Is the Army is a 1943 American wartime musical film directed by Michael Curtiz and released on August 14, 1943. It was adapted from Irving Berlin's stage revue of the same name and presented in a revue-style format: a sequence of sketches, musical numbers and comedy designed to entertain both troops and civilian audiences during World War II. The screenplay and many arrangements drew on material from the stage production while the film expanded sequences for the camera and large-scale production numbers.
Cast and performers
The cast combined film professionals and well known entertainers with performers in uniform. Principal screen actors included George Murphy, Joan Leslie and Ronald Reagan, supported by character players such as Alan Hale Sr. and Rosemary DeCamp. In keeping with the revue origins, several celebrities appear as themselves: boxer Joe Louis, composer and star Irving Berlin, vocalist Kate Smith and singer Frances Langford. Many of the performers in the ensemble were serving in the armed forces at the time, and sequences intentionally showcased military uniforms and chorus lines drawn from service members.
Production and music
Irving Berlin, whose stage show was created to benefit wartime charities, adapted material for the screen and appears in the film. The production mounted elaborate musical numbers that combined solo performances, large choruses and visual tableaux often emphasizing patriotic imagery. Set pieces and choreography aimed to translate the immediacy of a live revue into cinematic spectacle while accommodating wartime constraints on resources and personnel.
Themes and structure
The film is structured as a series of vignettes rather than a continuous narrative, alternating comedy sketches with musical performances. Themes include patriotism, sacrifice and unity, presented with a mixture of earnestness and show-business polish. The revue format allowed the filmmakers to showcase a range of acts and styles, from popular songs to novelty numbers and sentimental ballads.
Release, reception and legacy
Released during World War II, the film was promoted as entertainment that also supported the war effort: proceeds and publicity were linked to relief programs for service members and their families. Contemporary reviewers praised the production values, large-scale musical staging and the cast of well known performers, while noting the film's clearly patriotic purpose. Over time the picture has been studied as a prominent example of Hollywood's contribution to wartime morale, the collaboration between the entertainment industry and the military, and the public career of figures who later played larger roles in public life.
Historical context and study
As a period piece, This Is the Army reflects both the theatrical traditions of American revue and the social attitudes of the early 1940s. It is of interest to historians of film and music for its musical arrangements, production design and its role as wartime cultural diplomacy. Scholars and enthusiasts consult archival collections, contemporary press coverage and biographies of Irving Berlin and the principal performers to trace the film's creation and influence.