By the 50"s, the lavish adaptation of Broadway musicals had already been a lucrative Hollywood staple for decades. But the times--and tastes--were changing; television and rock & roll would soon virtually spell the end of the traditional genre. Ostensibly, MGM"s Hit the Deck hewed close to the studio"s big-budget film musical formula: an all-star cast, eye-catching sets, and show-stopping production numbers. But No, No, Nanette composer Vincent Youmans"s tale of three sailors on leave was already nearly 30 years old by the time Metro acquired the film rights (while the similarly themed, more musically contemporary Bernstein/Comden/Green show On the Town had already been a postwar hit), and their 1955 adaptation seemed somewhat quaint. Still, it"s a solid musical show (highlighted by the rousing "Hallelujah"), full of strong performances by stars Vic Damone, Debbie Reynolds, Tony Martin, and Ann Miller. This release marks the film soundtrack"s CD debut, restoring many previously abridged numbers and presenting all in stereo for the first time. --Jerry McCulley