Fine Art of Boxing, The (No Stooge in the Ring)
In Columbia's adaptation of the musical-comedy play, Broadway producer Jim Lighter (Larry Parks) is fed up with show business, particularly his leading lady Winnie Clark (Ann Miller), so he joins the Army. Putting showbiz behind is harder than he thinks when his commanding officer orders him to produce a camp show. This being Hollywood, its only a matter of time before Winnie becomes involved in the production. Jim is sure she is doing it for the publicity, but Winnie claims that she's doing it for the troops.
Joe Besser and his straightman Jimmy Little had a popular Army drill routine that they performed on Broadway. Columbia brought Joe to Hollywood to incorporate his routine into this film, and cast him as the film's star and comedy relief.
Legendary Hollywood director and choreographer Stanely Donen was Assistant Choreographer. Actor Jack Gilford (A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, SAVE THE TIGER, COCOON) made his feature film debut in HEY, ROOKIE!, as well as horror film impresario, collector and magazine publisher Forrest J Ackerman.

Ann Miller
Winnie Clark

Larry Parks
Jim Lighter

Joe Besser
Pendleton Pudge Pfeiffer

Jimmy Little
Bert Pfeiffer

Joe Sawyer
Sarge

Ralph Dunn
Examination Sergeant

Syd Saylor
Cpl. Trupp

Eddie Dunn
Doctor

Phil Van Zandt
Psychiatrist

Barbara Brown
Mrs. Clark

Selmer Jackson
Col. Robbins

Larry Thompson
Capt. Jessop

George Eldredge
Capt. Mulligan

The Vagabonds
Soldier musicians

Harry Barris
Rec hall pianist

Hi Lo Jack and the Dame
Rec hall singers

Steve Condos
Tap-dancing soldier

Nick Condos
Tap-dancing soldier

Tom Dugan
Sourpuss

Jimmie Dodd
Bopkins

Robert Lowell
Jitterbug

Doodles Weaver
Maxon

Jack Rice
Highbrow

Forrest J Ackerman
Sgt. Ack-Ack

Charles C. Wilson
Sam Jonas

Jack Gilford
Himself, camp show monologist

Bob Stanton
Accordionist, singer

Bob Evans
Himself, USO ventriloquist

The Johnson Brothers
Themselves, USO performers

Hal McIntyre and His Orchestra
Themselves, USO performers

The Six Solid Senders
Themselves, USO performers

Judy Clark
Herself, USO dancer

Bill Shawn
Dancer

Joey Ray
M. C.

Jeanne Bates
Chief WAC

John Tyrrell
Soldier at refreshment stand

Eddie Laughton
Stage manager

Eddie Acuff
Jokester

Sid Melton
Bored soldier

Joe Palma
Soldier

Charles Trowbridge
Gen. Willis

Mel Shubert
Captain

Dick Curtis
Sarge in baking skit

Teddy Mangean
Call boy

Johnny Kascier
Besser's stand-in

Charles Barton
Director

Irving Briskin
Producer

Edward Eliscu
Associate Producer

Jay Gorney
Associate Producer

Henry Myers
Associate Producer

E. B. Colvan
Original Play

Doris Colvan
Original Play

Edward Eliscu
Screenplay

Jay Gorney
Screenplay

Henry Myers
Screenplay

L. W. O'Connell
Director of Photography

James Sweeney
Film Editor

Lionel Banks
Art Director

Ross Bellah
Associate Art Director

Joseph Kish
Set Decoration

Jack Haynes
Recording Director

P. J. Faulkner
Music Recording

Morris W. Stoloff
Musical Director

Edward Eliscu
Original Music

John Leipold
Original Music

Henry Myers
Original Music

Jay Gorney
Original Music

J. C. Lewis
Original Music

John Percy
Title Music and Lyrics

Hallowell Walker
Title Music and Lyrics

Sonny Burke
Lyrics

Val Raset
Dance Director

Stanley Donen
Assistant Choreographer

Wilbur McGaugh
Assistant Director

Major Charles D. Sauvinet
Technical Advisor
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