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After a false start on this rehearsal preview, Bob “Broadcasting from Camp Cook” Hope jokes about being in the desert, censorship, buglers, military life, washing clothes, mail delivery, tanks, and a flub as he talks about generals. Other topics include traffic, dating, and homely girls.
Francis Langford is backed up by the Six Hits and a Miss to sing, I Got it Bad and It Ain’t Good. Francis jokes with Bob about how well the soldiers like him. The Academy Awards are discussed. How does Bob stack up with other winning actors? Babe Ruth joins Bob to joke about girls in slacks. Baseball jokes flavor the comedy, and military theme. Babe flubs a line about his weight, and gives Bob pointers on staying in shape. The insults about each others physiques continue. Which one is in better condition? Babe has trouble reading a few lines, but plows on through, still not missing a joke. Since Babe was just in Pride of the Yankees playing himself, he and Bob compare acting tips. Bob tells about playing baseball as a kid, and more baseball jokes make the rounds. Betty Hutton sings, Dixieland Band.
Leaving the show, Bob and Babe are costed by sentry Colonna, have trouble with transportation, and finally make it to the train station. The cast talk about the how they just put on and their experiences with the troops. Will Bob get a metal for his performance? The cast each get in one-liners about military life, haircuts, jeeps, physical exams, and more. The train arrives, with Jerry Colonna as engineer. The cast board, joking about tickets and travel the whole time. On the train, Skinny and Babe learn about the berths. Colonna and Bob argue about words as they travel home. The scenery outside, Skinny and Babe trying to sleep, Jerry running the train, train tunnels dug by gophers, and will they ever make it back to Hollywood in one piece?
