I saw this movie when I was a kid and I was lucky enough to see Mr Dix on stage at the Loew's State Theater. He really wow'd the audience, enough for five or six encores. What a voice, and judging by his biography, what a great and good life also.
A minute into this clip, I was slamming my head against the wall, trying to remember where I'd heard the tune before--and it just now came to me! It was in a PSA that was all over (American) TV when I was a tyke back in the 60s, trying to persuade motorists to start wearing these here new-fangled seat belts: "Buckle up for safety, buckle up! Buckle up for safety, always buckle up! Pull your seatbelt snug, give an extra tug, Buckle up for safety, everybody buckle up!" [Sigh of relief]
I happen to know Mr. Dix (he's still alive and well in his late 80's now) and I can assure you that his voice was NOT dubbed. He was about 20 when the film was shot in 1942/3. The directors intentionally lit and use makeup to make him appear younger than his peers. However, in that final graduation scene where he belts out "Winsocki" we see the boy become a man before our eyes. The facial expressions, the choreography and the movements all contribute to it. The transformation is amazing.
The description is wrong. Tommy Dix is NOT playing Lucille Ball's son in this film. In fact, Lucille Ball is playing herself, actress Lucille Ball. At the time this film was made (1943), Lucille Ball did not yet have any children. The Tommy Dix character in this film is a guy whom Lucy's manager (against her wishes) arranges to have escort Lucy to his prom (for publicity). This causes problems because he already has a girlfriend, who's jealous, but he also has a crush on the Hollywood star.
@hep2jive Buckle Down, Winsocki was an important song to the WWII generation. It was in a Broadway musical that opened shortly before Pearl Harbor. The lyrics struck a chord with American fighting men.
My Mother use to sing this song, and I remember the lyrics; just saw this film last week on TCM! Thank you TCM for all the wonderful movies; Ted Turner too!
@JohnnyMarsden He isn't singing; it's dubed by a session singer for the studio. This movie was made during the War; that's why most of the "men" are either old, or very young kids!
@jsbach15 Correction! I was thinking about another young movie actor whose voice was dubbed, but it's not this guy! This actor is Tom Dix, and he did sing; in the Broadway version of this movie as well, plus he had a separate recording of this song with Harry James' band.
@JohnnyMarsden His name is Tom Dix. He had a limited singing/acting career. He had an unusual baritone voice, for his age; which Time magazine featured. He was interested in science, primarily physics, and fencing.
@lightnstrike , correct, she's there watching a cadet her publicist had sent her to have a date with. He wasn't her son either in real life or in this film.
I saw this movie when I was a kid and I was lucky enough to see Mr Dix on stage at the Loew's State Theater. He really wow'd the audience, enough for five or six encores. What a voice, and judging by his biography, what a great and good life also.
Bushappy 1 week ago in playlist Classics of the 20th Century
My Grandmother would sing the lyrics to this song. I had no idea what is was from until today.
usernamexyz1232000 2 weeks ago
Who knew that voice would have came out of him?
BornYesterday0126 1 month ago
look how pretty those girls are. when entertainment was decent
WintersWar 5 months ago
A minute into this clip, I was slamming my head against the wall, trying to remember where I'd heard the tune before--and it just now came to me! It was in a PSA that was all over (American) TV when I was a tyke back in the 60s, trying to persuade motorists to start wearing these here new-fangled seat belts: "Buckle up for safety, buckle up! Buckle up for safety, always buckle up! Pull your seatbelt snug, give an extra tug, Buckle up for safety, everybody buckle up!" [Sigh of relief]
hipdadiddy 5 months ago
I happen to know Mr. Dix (he's still alive and well in his late 80's now) and I can assure you that his voice was NOT dubbed. He was about 20 when the film was shot in 1942/3. The directors intentionally lit and use makeup to make him appear younger than his peers. However, in that final graduation scene where he belts out "Winsocki" we see the boy become a man before our eyes. The facial expressions, the choreography and the movements all contribute to it. The transformation is amazing.
markinscottsdale 6 months ago
Great song! Later stolen by the National Safety Council for its Buckle Up For Safety jingle in the 1960s.
doboyle1955 7 months ago
The description is wrong. Tommy Dix is NOT playing Lucille Ball's son in this film. In fact, Lucille Ball is playing herself, actress Lucille Ball. At the time this film was made (1943), Lucille Ball did not yet have any children. The Tommy Dix character in this film is a guy whom Lucy's manager (against her wishes) arranges to have escort Lucy to his prom (for publicity). This causes problems because he already has a girlfriend, who's jealous, but he also has a crush on the Hollywood star.
Richii2 9 months ago
my grandfather randomly hear me playing this video. i looked behind me in the hall. he stopped, saluted and shuffled away!!!
hep2jive 1 year ago 6
@hep2jive Buckle Down, Winsocki was an important song to the WWII generation. It was in a Broadway musical that opened shortly before Pearl Harbor. The lyrics struck a chord with American fighting men.
Google the lyrics.
scottca075 6 months ago
@scottca075 thanks but believe me, i know quite a bit about this generation....
hep2jive 6 months ago
See TommyDix.com to learn more about singer of Buckle Down Winsocki
CathyBeMe 1 year ago
My Mother use to sing this song, and I remember the lyrics; just saw this film last week on TCM! Thank you TCM for all the wonderful movies; Ted Turner too!
jsbach15 1 year ago
why did i click on this? this song always gets stuck in my head for days!
KBel20 1 year ago
Never heard of this guy but he has a great voice and amazing discipline
JohnnyMarsden 1 year ago
@JohnnyMarsden He isn't singing; it's dubed by a session singer for the studio. This movie was made during the War; that's why most of the "men" are either old, or very young kids!
jsbach15 1 year ago
@jsbach15 Correction! I was thinking about another young movie actor whose voice was dubbed, but it's not this guy! This actor is Tom Dix, and he did sing; in the Broadway version of this movie as well, plus he had a separate recording of this song with Harry James' band.
jsbach15 1 year ago
@jsbach15 No way! Really? His singing voice is so different from his talking voice. That's crazy....
SariaLink987 1 year ago
@JohnnyMarsden His name is Tom Dix. He had a limited singing/acting career. He had an unusual baritone voice, for his age; which Time magazine featured. He was interested in science, primarily physics, and fencing.
jsbach15 1 year ago
Um Dix didn't play her son on this. He played a kid who had a schoolboy crush on Ball and her publicist sent her on a date with him.
bjoh249 1 year ago
brilliant video!thanks for putting this on youtube.I was searching this song for a long time.Indeed an end of an era!
Humpbogart37 1 year ago
By the way, you can read more about Tommy Dix at "tommydix.com"
rollingstone772 1 year ago
The person singing "Buckle Down Winsocki" is Tommy Dix
rollingstone772 1 year ago
This is not Lucille Ball.s son in real life nor the in the context of the film
lightnstrike 1 year ago
@lightnstrike I agree with you will make my description clearer for everybody.
Tom
TheTomMunday 1 year ago
@lightnstrike , correct, she's there watching a cadet her publicist had sent her to have a date with. He wasn't her son either in real life or in this film.
Beejjjjjj 1 year ago