Films

Keep Your Powder Dry (MGM 1945)

A lobby card for "Keep Your Powder Dry" (1945)

Production Dates: August 28, 1944-November 7, 1944

Release Date: March 8, 1945.

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Laraine Day, Susan Peters, Agnes Moorehead.

Directed by: Edward Buzzell

Writing Credits: Mary C. McCall Jr. (screenplay) and George Bruce (screenplay)

Produced by: George Haight

Original Music by: David Snell

Non-Original Music by: General Daniel Butterfield, Jane Douglass, Camilla Mays Frank and Isham Jones

Cinematography by: Ray June

Synopsis: Three girls from different backgrounds, adjust to life in the WACS (For you civilians, that's  the Woman's Army Corps)

My Review: A truly underrated Turner gem! Lana and Laraine Day are perfectly cast as arch enemies who come from completely different places in life. Lana's transition from spoiled party girl to serious army broad is a site to behold. While Laraine Day is perfectly cast in her role, her portrayal of the army brat starts to grate on the nerves after a while. She reminds me of a jr. high school hall monitor. There is one confrontation scene between Turner and Day that had me applauding.

Also big credit, where credit is due, to Susan Peters as the mediator between Turner and Day. Considering the tragic turn her life took, seeing her on screen is bittersweet.

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

Highlights and Trivia

*Agnes Moorehead, who plays the role of the head of the WACS' disciplinary committee, would become known to generations of television fans as the mother-in-law from Hell, Endora, on the 1960's sitcom Bewitched.

*Susan Peters' life ended tragically after she accidentally shot herself in the spine with a rifle while duck hunting. While not killed instantly, she remained severely handicapped for the rest of her short life.

*Lana and Laraine Day allegedly hated one another, and had hated one another since the days of Calling Dr. Kildare, way back in 1939.

*Natalie Schafer (who had a small part as one of Lana's society friends) also appeared with Lana in 1944's Marriage is a Private Affair and also as her mother in Lana's short lived 1969 television series The Survivors.

 

Photo Gallery

Fighting for the best angles in 1945's "Keep Your Powder Dry". Lou Valentino Collection    Lana and Laraine Day in 1945's "Keep Your Powder Dry". Lou Valentino Collection.    Lana fixing her hair in 1945's "Keep Your Powder Dry". Lou Valentino Collection    Agnes Moorehead reads Lana the riot act in 1945's "Keep Your Powder Dry".    Lana all disheveled in 1945's "Keep Your Powder Dry". Lou Valentino Collection.    A lobby card for 1945's "Keep Your Powder Dry".    Lana in a tense scene from 1945's "Keep Your Powder Dry".    Lana ponders her next move in 1945's "Keep Your Powder Dry".   

 

 

 

Please do not take any photographs or content from this site without first asking permission. Site content is copyrighted 2006-2007 by Liza Waldman. All Rights Reserved.