Where Do We Go from Here? (1945)

Film Overview
The 1945 film "Where Do We Go from Here?" is a wonderful musical comedy-fantasy directed by Gregory Ratoff and produced by Twentieth Century Fox. The story of this special wartime film, set during World War II, was structured around the premise of wonderful shenanigans that twist sequential time, enabling the protagonist, Bill Morgan - represented by Fred MacMurray - to experience different historical periods.

Main Plot
Expense Morgan, disappointed over his 4F status (fit for service), gets his want "action" granted all of a sudden by a similarly disappointed Genie, in the form of an ancient brass lamp. The genie, played by the amusing Junius Matthews materializes from a rug and hears Bill dream to be in the US Army. The genie grants this dream however skips a few details - Bill lands in the continental army during the American Revolutionary War instead, causing different comical circumstances.

Time Travels and Love Interest
In a series of non-traditional events, Bill discovers himself initially in New Amsterdam (now New York) in the 17th Century and then in the Revolutionary War, where he meets the love of his life, Sally - portrayed by the lively Joan Leslie. She's from the 1940s too but had also been mistakenly moved in time by the genie. Their shared experience leads them to connect and fall for each other.

Battles and Misadventures
Throughout his spontaneous yesteryear adventures, Bill comes across different historic figures such as Christopher Columbus and George Washington. Notably, he also becomes associated with an important Revolutionary War battle against the British. This causes an especially amusing scene where Sally, in her effort to send out a caution letter about an impending British attack, mistakenly utilizes it as a wrapping for a loaf of bread. Costs, using his understanding from centuries forward, helps American forces win the fight.

Return to Present
Lastly, Bill manages to return himself and Sally to their original timeline in the 1940s, bring with him the experiences got and wisdom obtained from his unanticipated time journeys. The misconceptions and alterations of historical occasions for comedic result provide an engaging diversion for audiences experiencing the stress of the ongoing war throughout its filming and release.

Production and Public Reception
The movie utilized the screenwriting skills of Morrie Ryskind and Sig Herzig, together with the musical talents of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin. The original movie script integrated musical numbers and an Islamic fantasy setting, only to shift in production to a historic time travel facility. In spite of a creative storyline, stylish humor, and a toolbox of gifted artists, the movie is significantly less known than other works of the exact same era. However, it carries a distinct charm, providing an easy going, fantasy-infused perspective on historical occasions and the phenomenon of war.

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