One of my all time favorites.

Masterful Cinema

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I saw the movie as a kid on Broadway when it first came out in film. It was a lot of fun, Miss Ball was great and was impressed by the young man who had such a great voice singing 'Buckle Down Winsockie'- Tom Dix.As to what happened to him later in his career, I saw him featured onstage at the Loews State Theater on Broadway, in New York City, singing quite a few songs and do remember that he was brought out for over five encores! In response to one of the earlier reviewers, as far as I could find on the internet, he is still alive and going strong - unfortunately most of all the other great cast have passed from amongst us.Maybe not one of the most creatively artistic movies, but when you were young during those years, it brought a lot of smiles to our faces, and it still does!

For all those like me who have wondered and searched for information on what became of Tommy Dix.I came across a site with information on him from 2009. According to the site Dix was drafted after "Best Foot Forward" and severely injured in a stateside training accident. I don't know what the injury was. Because of the injury he was unable to go overseas with his regiment which was decimated at the Battle of the Bulge. He apparently lives in Savannah Georgia. I wish he had been able to continue his career.I really enjoyed his singing. "Wynsocki" tends to stick in your mind.The music makes this otherwise mundane movie worth watching. I hope Tommy Dix's life has been rich and satisfying

I have just seen Best Foot Forward for the first time on DVD, several times before on TV but the first time where I could actually see everyone's faces and expressions, thanks to my 40" screen and the amazing DVD transfer. What a great experience. Being a staunch classic movie watcher I thoroughly enjoy the great musicals of the 40's and this movie is definitely one of them. What a delightful experience and right up my ally. FUN, FUN, FUN!!! So many talented young performers, far superior to their modern day counterparts, many with Broadway training which boosts the quality of the movie, and reprising their roles from the Broadway smash hit of 1941-1942. A testament to the quality of the performer in those days in that the teens were actually teens -- not twenty-somethings playing a younger role.The Three B's with Nancy Walker and June Allyson (reprising their Broadway roles) and Gloria DeHaven a sheer delight to the eye and ear. Nancy Walker giving an outstanding performance as "the ugly duckling" who steals the show from the other girls.Lucy is beautiful and charming and great as the actress in a slump whose Press Agent, William Gaxton, thinks appearing at Winsocki's Graduation Prom as the date of the Captain of Cadets, Bud Hooper, is just the publicity boost she needs to put her back in the Hollywood limelight. A sound idea in theory but the complicated reality causes a lot of trouble for the characters and a lot of fun for us.Tommy Dix, also coming from the Broadway production, as Elwood C.(Bud) Hooper is unquestionably the star of the show and we follow with delight the merry journey he so capably leads us on as we experience the misfortunes his crush on Lucy and subsequent mash note invitation to be his date for the Graduation Prom, render him. His facial expressions and intuitive body language enhancing his wonderful performance.His friends, Dutch and Hunk, enthusiastically portrayed by Kenny Bowers and Jack Jordan and reprised from their Broadway roles, are a delight and amiably offset and enliven their sometimes too serious friend Bud.The score is upbeat, Harry James and his Music Makers a treat, especially for those of us not around at the time, to enjoy. The story is charming and a great showcase for the wonderful talent. I can see where it brought much needed happiness to a country disheartened by the trials of WW II as it was a big hit in 1943.The highlight of the movie is the finale which takes place at Winsocki's Graduation. Tommy Dix gives a one in a million performance as he belts out, "Buckle Down Winsocki," his Coronet recording of "Winsocki" reaching #1 on The Hit Parade.It is a sheer visual and audio delight to watch the smile shine on his face as he goes into the chorus and see the glow that emanates from him as he so beautifully performs his song. His glorious baritone voice a treasure to behold.It is easy to understand why Broadway audiences were standing and cheering as he sang "Winsocki" and was the hit of the show. I only wish I had the good fortune to see him perform it live I would have been standing and cheering him too. However, I feel most fortunate to have his brilliant performance and glorious voice in my movie and CD collections so I can enjoy him over and over and over again.

I liked the movie - especially the reprise of Buckle Down Winsocki - Tommy Dix wonderful baritone for his age.What ever happened to TOMMY DIX???? from 1955 until now I do not know:BUT......in one blurb I read on the web - in mentioned that he was interested in physics. As he would now be 80??? maybe he got into the sciences??? Some of the others from the play seem to have gone to University??I cant say - between 1944-54 (ten years) - but he is still mentioned as a Broadway Star....1955: Found him through research on the web from the February 2003 Newsletter by "Birmingham Historical Society" Alabama about their historical Clarke Theatre dedication. 1955 opening production of BEST FOOT FORWARD.Tommy Dix photo sing his song on page 2w/the cast;info page 3; (.PDF file) Denotes that Hugh Martin, Jr, a AL native and composer (see best foot forward crew) helped stage this production - I guess he got Dix to come down for the Play??1944 - August 25, 1944 - noted as at the Copley's Oval Room - CAMBRIDGE, MASS noted as the Winsocki Kid,-Tommy Dix. To be interviewed on a radio show says the school newspaper 'THE TECH' Page 2 yup!!! MIT archives...... vol 064 S0112 P002 text '1944'1944 Andy Hardy's 'Blonde Trouble' movie Tommy Dix as 'Mark' --- 1943 'Best Foot Forward' Movie Tommy Dix as 'Elwood'. 1941 Sunday October 8, one week after show opens?? With vocalist Tom Dix, the Benny Goodman Orchestra recorded "Buckle Down Winsocki" on the Columbia label. 'Best Foot Forward' Broadway show at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, NY Opening: Oct 1,1941-Jul 4, 1942-Total Performances: 326 11/26/1940 - The Corn is Green -Broadway show - Tommy Dix as Ensemble. Opening: Nov 26,1940 Closing: Jan 17, 1942 Total Performances: 47711/11/1940 - 'Career of Tommy Dix' Time magazine archives. Here noted as aged 15 in Manhattan - just starting out. Mom sick, widowed two years earlier...gets picked up at the MET and sings baritone.... etc.4/1/1930 Under a Texas Moon movie premier Tommy Dix as 'Tom' age 6?Maybe His Dad was an actor - ????Anyone else know anything else about Mr. Tommy Dix.???