Sound Off (1952) DVD-R

Starring Mickey Rooney, Anne James, Sammy White, John Archer, Wally
Cassell
Directed by Richard Quine

Print: color
Runtime: 83 min.
Genre: comedy
Print Quality: B

Sound Off stars Mickey Rooney as Mike Donnelly, a brash, obnoxious
nightclub entertainer who is taken down a peg or two when he's drafted
into the army. When not crossing swords with tough sergeant Crockett
(Gordon Jones), Mike has to contend with the poison-pen vitriol of
columnist Barney Fisher (Arthur Space). Out of love for pretty WAC
lieutenant Colleen Rafferty (Anne James), Mike tries to straighten himself
out and adhere to army protocol, but not before a riotous climactic tank
chase. Though Sound Off covers familiar comic territory, star Mickey
Rooney delivers the laughs with freshness and gusto. The most
appealing aspect of the film is the characterization of the clichéd drill
sergeant: Gordon Jones is almost lovable as he struggles manfully to get
the recalcitrant Rooney to cooperate with Uncle Sam.