The title of this film was probably designed to draw in teens who might want to see another romance starring Natalie Wood and Tab Hunter. The film has two taglines. One of them is "A couple of teenagers and their kiss-and-run battle!" However, the other tagline is more appropriate: "It's the Big Happy Look at the New-Look Peace-Time Army!" In truth, this is another of those "recruiting ad" films that were made with the blessings of the U.S. military.
The story does start with the relationship between Andy Shaeffer (Hunter) and Susan Daniels (Wood)--a strikingly good-looking college couple. He sponges off his mother and she holds down a job while attending school. He picks her up at her answering service job, then they go to the local burger drive-in and "inspiration point", where she berates him for his lack of ambition.
All the while, a voice-over narrates the action. You can tell it's meant to be a comedy by his tone. In fact, the narrator is Daws Butler, the voice of Huckleberry Hound and countless other cartoon characters.
Before you know it, Andy is drafted (in peacetime) because of the various flaws in his nature, and the army makes a responsible citizen of him.
There are many notable actors in this film, some who are rather new to the big screen. Although Natalie was a veteran, Tab was a relative newcomer, but ready for the studio's star treatment. The two of them had just filmed "The Burning Hills" and demonstrated some chemistry, but they probably would have been paired in this film regardless.
James Garner--a newcomer--plays one of Andy's fellow soldiers. So does veteran actor Henry Jones, who had just filmed his amazing performance in "The Bad Seed", which had probably not yet made its impact. Newcomer Alan King also shares the same barracks. Veterans David Jansen and Jim Backus play superior officers. Backus had just starred with Natalie in "Rebel Without a Cause" the previous year.
Andy's stint in the army is troubled, but the army in this film is kinder and gentler, and this is a comedy, right? So one scene is adequate to tame Andy's inner demons and he transforms (by the good graces of Army training) into a believer.
If you can tolerate the message of this film, it is worth watching just to see the two stars and the others who will have very successful careers of their own.
The story does start with the relationship between Andy Shaeffer (Hunter) and Susan Daniels (Wood)--a strikingly good-looking college couple. He sponges off his mother and she holds down a job while attending school. He picks her up at her answering service job, then they go to the local burger drive-in and "inspiration point", where she berates him for his lack of ambition.
All the while, a voice-over narrates the action. You can tell it's meant to be a comedy by his tone. In fact, the narrator is Daws Butler, the voice of Huckleberry Hound and countless other cartoon characters.
Before you know it, Andy is drafted (in peacetime) because of the various flaws in his nature, and the army makes a responsible citizen of him.
There are many notable actors in this film, some who are rather new to the big screen. Although Natalie was a veteran, Tab was a relative newcomer, but ready for the studio's star treatment. The two of them had just filmed "The Burning Hills" and demonstrated some chemistry, but they probably would have been paired in this film regardless.
James Garner--a newcomer--plays one of Andy's fellow soldiers. So does veteran actor Henry Jones, who had just filmed his amazing performance in "The Bad Seed", which had probably not yet made its impact. Newcomer Alan King also shares the same barracks. Veterans David Jansen and Jim Backus play superior officers. Backus had just starred with Natalie in "Rebel Without a Cause" the previous year.
Andy's stint in the army is troubled, but the army in this film is kinder and gentler, and this is a comedy, right? So one scene is adequate to tame Andy's inner demons and he transforms (by the good graces of Army training) into a believer.
If you can tolerate the message of this film, it is worth watching just to see the two stars and the others who will have very successful careers of their own.