For the Boys (1991)

Bette Midler plays irrepressible singer Dixie Leonard, a USO performer throughout World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

She and her shallow and disagreeable womanising co-star, comedian Eddie Sparks (a seriously miscast James Caan) – a character clearly based on Bob Hope – make sure the show goes on across 50 years, through good times, hard times and tragedy. Along the way, they also enjoy success on American television.

The McCarthy Blacklist is thrown in for good measure.

Bette Midler’s singing, acting, dancing and characterisation are flawless, and she deservedly received her second Best Actress Oscar nomination for her commanding performance in this sincere, insightful and touching – if a touch overlong at nearly 2½ hours – film.

Her standout performances included a scene where she sings PS I Love You at an airbase in England during a blackout in WWII and a version of The Beatles‘ In My LIfe that she performs in Vietnam – a war that ultimately costs her her son.

The supporting cast is rather bland, with the notable exception of George Segal as Dixie’s uncle and agent, Art Silver – and the inclusion of director Mark Rydell’s son Christopher as Dixie’s adult son, Danny, was a major faux pas.

The ageing makeup also is particularly poor, especially in closeup shots.

Dixie Leonard
Bette Midler
Eddie Sparks
James Caan
Art Silver
George Segal
Shephard
Patrick O’Neal
Danny Leonard
Christopher Rydell
Jeff Brooks
Arye Gross
Sam Schiff
Norman Fell
Luanna Trott
Rosemary Murphy
Phil
Bud Yorkin
Loretta
Dori Brenner
Wally Fields
Jack Sheldon
Victoria Lee
Karen Martin
Margaret Sparks
Shannon Wilcox
Maj. Gen. Scott
Michael Greene
Corrine
Melissa Manchester
Stan Newman
Steven Kampmann

Director
Mark Rydell

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