If you enjoy light hearted MGM movies coated with star power this film will provide plenty of enjoyment. Ginger Rogers plays (of all things) an actress taking a break from her overworked schedule. Walter Pidgeon co-starring as the exhausted war correspondent who ends up crossing paths with Ginger and hilarity ensues. A more serious sub-plot involving Van Johnson (who was unable to serve in the war due to a terrible car accident) and Lana Turner as the young ones that just want to fall in love and spend time together. Plenty of MGM contract players show up like Edward Arnold (as Lana's seedy bulldozing boss), Keenan Wynn, Robert Benchley, Leon Ames and Phyllis Thaxter with smaller roles.
I laughed at Rogers and Pidgeon's back and forth banter. I felt for Van Johnson's character in his situation. Lana Turner was probably at her most vulnerable and accessible in this role than any other one she played. It's based on the MGM triumph GRAND HOTEL but it's much more "feel good end of WWII" than the seriousness of the original. If you're a fashion maven like my wife you'll appreciate Rogers and Turner's clothes (MGM was never one to shy away from statement gowns). You'll also get a number from Xavier Cugat (he seems to pop up in all early 1940's MGM films at some point).
If you go into this film not taking it too seriously you'll really get the most satisfaction out of it. It's light hearted MGM with just enough substance to make it worth watching.
I laughed at Rogers and Pidgeon's back and forth banter. I felt for Van Johnson's character in his situation. Lana Turner was probably at her most vulnerable and accessible in this role than any other one she played. It's based on the MGM triumph GRAND HOTEL but it's much more "feel good end of WWII" than the seriousness of the original. If you're a fashion maven like my wife you'll appreciate Rogers and Turner's clothes (MGM was never one to shy away from statement gowns). You'll also get a number from Xavier Cugat (he seems to pop up in all early 1940's MGM films at some point).
If you go into this film not taking it too seriously you'll really get the most satisfaction out of it. It's light hearted MGM with just enough substance to make it worth watching.