Let's Go Collegiate (1941) American musical romantic comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough.
Channel: OLDTVMASTERS
Date: 2021-08-02

Let's Go Collegiate is a 1941 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough.


The film is also known as Farewell to Fame in the United Kingdom. 



Frankie is the coxswain on the rowing team at Rawley University. His friend Tad is a stroke on the crew, president of the Kappa Psi Delta house and conductor of the orchestra. When rehearsing a new piece for a welcoming party dedicated to Bob Terry, a new crewmember, Tad learns that Bob has been drafted to the army and will not be joining the team nor be attending the party. Frankie and Tad don't have the hearts to tell their girlfriends Bess and Midge, who have worked hard to prepare the party, and instead look for a replacement for Bob for the evening. They spot Herk loading a safe onto the bed of a truck. After some convincing, Herk reluctantly accepts the offer to pose as Bob. Herk enjoys the party and flirts with both Bess and Midge, using period slang terms, in stark contrast to the actual students. He decides to stay in the house and join the team as Bob, despite his dislike of boats. Frankie gives Herk seasick pills and eventually his rowing performance improves. Herk raises the eyebrows of the professors with his uncultured speech and lack of respect for the academic environment. To keep Herk on the team, Frankie and Tad tutor him and prep him for school to the point where they themselves start failing. Bess breaks up with Tad and lets hims know that she is going to marry "Bob Terry." Midge breaks up with Frankie as well.

During the final race, Bess and Midge learn of their mutual engagement to Herk. Instead of giving Herk seasick pills, Frankie gives him moth balls with the result of Herk performing better than ever. After the race, Herk is arrested for bank robbery and Frankie and Tad reunite with their girlfriends.