The Fleet's In (1928 film)

The Fleet's In is a 1928 American silent comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair and written by Monte Brice, George Marion Jr., and J. Walter Ruben. The film stars Clara Bow, James Hall, Jack Oakie, Bodil Rosing, Eddie Dunn, and Jean Laverty. The film was released on September 15, 1928, by Paramount Pictures.^[1][2][3]

The Fleet's In
Poster for film
Directed by	Malcolm St. Clair
Screenplay by	Monte Brice George Marion Jr. J. Walter Ruben
Produced by	Jesse L. Lasky Adolph Zukor
Starring	Clara Bow James Hall Jack Oakie Bodil Rosing Eddie Dunn Jean Laverty
Cinematography	Harry Fischbeck
Edited by	B. F. Zeidman
Production company	Paramount Pictures
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	September 15, 1928 (1928-09-15)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

Plot

Trixie “Peachy" Dearie is a “taxi-dancer” (Clara Bow), and a 10 cent-per-dance entertainer at a San Francisco amusement park that services sailors. Trixie retains her innocence despite her vocation. She prefers would-be swain “Searchlight” Doyle (Jack Oakie) over his rival Eddie Briggs (James Hall), who tries to seduce her.

During a power failure the lights go out at the hall and are accidentally paired in a dance contest. The rival Doyle and Eddie fight, and Eddie is put in jail. Peachy, the object of the dispute, blames herself and defends Eddie before the magistrate. Eddie is set free and sails with his ship, pledging himself to Peachy and promising he will remain faithful in all the worldwide ports he visits.^[4]

Cast

• Clara Bow as Trixie Deane
• James Hall as Eddie Briggs
• Jack Oakie as Searchlight Doyle
• Bodil Rosing as Mrs. Deane
• Eddie Dunn as Al Pearce
• Jean Laverty as Betty
• Dan Wolheim as Double Duty Duffy
• Richard Carle as Judge Hartley
• Joseph W. Girard as Commandant

Reception

New York Times critic Mordaunt Hall panned the film as merely a vehicle “written for the purpose of giving Miss Bow an opportunity to smile and cry.” He adds that the scenario “makes about as much impression on one's mind as a colored comic strip.” Reportedly, the vaudeville stage show was more impressive than the film, performed by “an expert Russian dancer, who has a ready wit and a keen ear for music. His show is one of the best entertainments of its type that has been seen at the Paramount for some time.”^[5]

Survival status

The Fleet's In is presumed to be a lost film.^[6]