WOW, what a great film! Another stellar performance by Eleanor Parker and Dennis Morgan; supported by Faye Emerson, Dane Clark, Beulah Bondi, Henry Travers and Andrea King. I am surprised that it is not as well known today since its quality rates right up there with "Best Years of Our Lives". This war-time drama is focused on the home front and the challenges faced by a soldier on leave (Morgan) who meets and falls in love with a hometown girl (Parker). They characterize themselves as reasonable people and feel that nothing can happen between them until after the war. What follows is a touching love story with challenges, hurdles and happiness. I can't help but think that there are many folks going through the same feelings and challenges today with our soldier heroes.

This film captures something missing in today's "love stories". There are no sex scenes, but Dennis Morgan and Elenore Parker portray two real people in love. Morgan is a Sergeant recently relieved from duty in Alaska. For those youngsters unread in history, the Japanese also attacked Alaska during the early part of WWII. The US sent thousands of troops to guard Alaska, then a territory of the US. For those who served in that remote area, it was the kind of military duty hardly anyone writes about or makes movies. It was thankless, boring and contact with the opposite sex was usually non-existent. Not even local females were available for distraction because many of the military posts existed where not even the locals lived. The movie begins in 1944, by then, the Japanese were retreating and the threat to Alaska no longer existed. The men were being sent home for some rest and recreation before being sent into combat, primarily in the Pacific.The character played by Morgan had been a student at Cal Tech, and he has an opportunity to visit the school before being sent back into a new assignment. Morgan and his buddy, played by Dane Clark are naturally interested in meeting some girls before returning to the all male environment. The story line has them meeting two girls on a bus, and Elenore Parker plays a defense working girl who knew Morgan when he was a student. The need for the movies of this era to avoid the stigma of a "nice girl" being picked up is avoided by creating the story line that Parker knew Morgan when he was a student. She had worked in the cafeteria, and recalled that he was a hard working and concientious student. In fact, both Morgan and Parker's characters come across as someone you would want your daughter or son to meet. Not quite the way it is today. Parker invites Morgan home to her parent's wedding anniversary. The movie indulges in a bit of WWII propaganda making Parker's sister who is married to a sailor the villain. She is dating other men. This was a problem on the minds of the thousands of separated young marrieds, for both those at home and abroad. The movie also makes the draft age male civilian brother in-law out to be a less than likable person. Yes, this movie was made in Hollywood. What a difference 50 years makes.Although Parker and Morgan get married in a blink of an eye, there is nothing sleazy about their actions. They even have a cute baby to show for their love. My what a difference baby boomers have have made to Hollywood.

One might think this movie is doomed to obscurity due to its overall lack of stylistic individuality. It's trite story-line is an easy target, too. However, for some reason, this motion picture totally won me over. This can be attributed to what i feel are the films three striking qualities: fluid character chemistry, naive but beautiful innocence, and a gentle, almost ideal humanistic touch.There is nothing wrong with relating to some of the predictable ideals this movie outlines. I found myself getting lost in the era- the music, history, and politics of the mid 40's were all way before my time. Perhaps this is what drew me in... The romance between David and Janet is very sweet. As a result, the integrity of these main characters is very enchanting. What might seem on the surface as a predictable B-movie is actually a gentle and reassuring stroke of simplicity... a calm breath of fresh (and inspiring) air amidst today's loud and obnoxious box office hum drum.

I enjoyed this very romantic story once again. It is of particular note that one did not have to see any explicit sexual behavior to appreciate the love and confidence these two couples had for each other. Please Hollywood, try to garner some real wisdom and make movies of this calibre again.Thanks, Tony