The Big Road
1935
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 5.3 out of 10
You are here:
Find another title
Type to search for movies. Use arrow keys to navigate suggestions, Enter to select, Escape to close.
Follow the Boys
1944
NRDirector
A. Edward Sutherland
Runtime
122 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
During World War II, all the studios put out "all-star" vehicles which featured virtually every star on the lot--often playing themselves--in musical numbers and comedy skits, and were meant as morale-boosters to both the troops overseas and the civilians at home. This was Universal Pictures' effort. It features everyone from Donald O'Connor to the Andrews Sisters to Orson Welles to W.C. Fields to George Raft to Marlene Dietrich, and dozens of other Universal players.
Where to Watch
Diversity & Representation
Overall Score
2.0/10
Limited
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film centers on heteronormative social structures typical of the 1940s. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative gender identities or narratives that critique traditional norms.
Gender Representation
Set in a boys' academy, the film reinforces traditional patriarchal hierarchies. While female stars like Marlene Dietrich appear in musical numbers, the central plot is driven by male figures.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The cast is largely homogeneous, reflecting the era's lack of racial integration in mainstream Hollywood. There is no significant non-white agency within the primary ensemble.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The film promotes traditional Western social cohesion and wartime unity. It functions as a patriotic morale-booster that upholds the stability of existing social institutions.
Disability Representation
There is no discernible representation of visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are presented as idealized, able-bodied performers typical of the musical comedy genre.
Strengths
- Features a massive, star-studded ensemble including Orson Welles, W.C. Fields, and Marlene Dietrich.
- Provides high-quality musical performances from iconic acts like the Andrews Sisters.
- Successfully fulfills its intended purpose as a wartime morale-booster for audiences.
Areas for Improvement
- Lacks racial diversity, reflecting the era's homogeneous casting norms.
- Reinforces rigid patriarchal structures through its academy-centered setting.
- Provides no representation for LGBTQ+ identities or individuals with disabilities.
AI Analysis
Follow the Boys serves as a quintessential wartime morale-booster, utilizing a star-studded ensemble to reinforce national identity rather than challenge it. The film adheres strictly to the social hierarchies and studio formulas of 1944, prioritizing cultural stability and patriotic unity. The production lacks intersectional complexity, focusing on a homogeneous cast and traditional gender roles. By centering the narrative on a boys' academy and male authority, it maintains a conventional patriarchal structure common to the era.
Similar Movies
Rate this Movie
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.