Review of A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941) by Clay B — 17 Aug 2011

"A Yank in the R.A.F" is a fun, smart, well-done war/romance movie that is really worth viewing. I saw this mostly because I like Betty Grable and Tyrone Power a lot, seeing how much skill they had in so many of their movies.

This might not be their best, but it's a movie really worth viewing. Both of them were huge war-time stars, Power being the "King of Romance" and Grable topping musical charts, and they both brought in loads of money for "20th Century Fox".

Ty Power as usual is great here. Unlike most of the popular Fox wartime stars, he has lots of talent. He could do any kind of role, and by the end of the decade he had proved it. This was just the beginning, but even here you could tell how great he would become.

He's everything here, being comedic, a soldier, wounded, and romantic, but he does it so effortlessly. Grable also does a fine job in a dramatic turn. 1941 was kind of the drama year for her, considering this and film noir "I Wake Up Screaming" were the only dramatic roles she did her entire career.

The must-see? This one. Her acting talent just shines here which is nice to see-- I am not a huge fan of her Technicolor musicals, so it's good to see her without any aid but her own. For fans of her, this is worth a look for her sake.

This movie was also surprisingly filled with pretty good special effects for its day. The bombs and airplane actually look authentic, and isn't even cheesy like "King Kong". It adds a lot to the film, not only making it a touching feel-good movie, but a war one too.

"A Yank in the R.A.F" is actually worth seeing, so you should put it on your queue for a nice, easy-going movie.