Sound Off stars
Mickey Rooney as Mike Donnelly, a brash, obnoxious nightclub entertainer who is taken down a peg or two when he's drafted into the army. When not crossing swords with tough sergeant Crockett (
Gordon Jones), Mike has to contend with the poison-pen vitriol of columnist Barney Fisher (
Arthur Space). Out of love for pretty WAC lieutenant Colleen Rafferty (Anne James), Mike tries to straighten himself out and adhere to army protocol, but not before a riotous climactic tank chase. Though Sound Off covers familiar comic territory, star
Mickey Rooney delivers the laughs with freshness and gusto. The most appealing aspect of the film is the characterization of the clichéd drill sergeant:
Gordon Jones is almost lovable as he struggles manfully to get the recalcitrant Rooney to cooperate with Uncle Sam. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide