This WW2 romance can take its place alongside Now Voyager and An Affair to Remember as one of the most romantic films ever made. It's easy to see why Dennis Morgan became one of the busiest (and highest paid) actors under contract to Warner Bros. in the 40s; he's an ideal leading man here, projecting masculine strength together with the soft-spokeness so essential to romances of this type. His scenes with lovely Eleanor Parker are a working definition of chemistry on the screen. Dane Clark registers delightfully as Morgan's hyperactive sidekick. And what a score by Franz Waxman - there's one short cue for the scene atop Mount Wilson that's an absolute masterpiece.
Offsetting the tender romance of the story is the edgy handling of the scenes with Parker's fairly dysfunctional family, which includes her bickering parents, philandering married sister, and developmentally-challenged brother.
This is a film deserving of a greater reputation -- and thanks to recent showings on TCM, that may already be happening.
Offsetting the tender romance of the story is the edgy handling of the scenes with Parker's fairly dysfunctional family, which includes her bickering parents, philandering married sister, and developmentally-challenged brother.
This is a film deserving of a greater reputation -- and thanks to recent showings on TCM, that may already be happening.