Hit the Deck is a 1955 American musical film directed by Roy Rowland and starring Jane Powell, Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Walter Pidgeon, Vic Damone, Gene Raymond, Ann Miller, and Russ Tamblyn.

[4][5] During "Operation Ice Cream" at a U.S. Navy reservation in the Arctic, buddies Danny Xavier Smith and Rico Ferrari are exempted from a swimming lesson in the icy water when their friend, Chief Boatswain's Mate William F. Clark, recruits them to bake a birthday cake for the commander.

The commander is delighted, but the cake combusts when he blows out the candles, and the three friends find themselves transferred to "Operation Mud Pie" in a snake-infested swamp.

The admiral leaves for an out-of-town meeting, and Danny has a joyful reunion with his older sister Susan, who tells him she is dating actor Wendell Craig and might get a part in his new show.

After Susan leaves on her date, Danny goes to the theater where Wendell's show Hit the Deck is rehearsing and is immediately attracted to dancer Carol Pace.

The following morning, the shore patrol returns to Mrs. Ferrari's apartment, but she delays them while the sailors sneak out and take shelter in Peroni's flower shop.

That evening, shortly before the opening of Hit the Deck, Wendell is attempting to cover his bruises with makeup, when Susan shows up and asks him to withdraw the charges.

[4] According to MGM's records the film's initial box-office receipts were $1,989,000 in the United States and Canada and $1,456,000 in other markets, resulting in a gross profit of $1,145,000 against a production budget of approximately $2,300,000.

[1] The television program Musical Comedy Time featured scenes from Hit the Deck on December 11, 1950, performed by John Beal and Jack Gilford.