A Hal B. Wallis Production. Copyright 4 July 1945 by Hal Wallis Productions, Inc. Released through Paramount Pictures. New York opening at the Paramount: 4 July 1945. U.S. release: 14 September 1945. U.K. release: 22 October 1945. Australian release: 18 April 1946. 11 reels. 9,390 feet. 104 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Second-billed as Ivy Hotchkiss, Lizabeth was pitched in the advertisements as "Here's to Lizabeth Scott. Beautiful... blonde... aloof... alluring." And she had three acceptable leading men to bounce off her range of dramatic expression in this prefabricated bit of love, bravery, and patriotism. She was the treasury department official assigned to take three GIs (Bob Cummings, Don DeFore, and Charles Drake) on a war bond tour. Naturally, she and Cummings fall in love and marry. However...
NOTES: Film debut of Lizabeth Scott.
COMMENT: A ridiculous wartime escapist romantic melodrama, with boy scout pilots on a bond-selling tour falling for their chic blonde guide. Noble fellows these, whose strongest language is "Hubba-hubba!", true descendants of the Three Musketeers.
Hard to believe that this tripe was boiled up by none other than Ayn The Fountainhead Rand. Even more difficult to credit that John Farrow had a hand in its direction. True, there are a few of his customary long takes, but mostly Farrow's handling comes across as boringly routine. His biggest black mark though is that he's been able to do nothing with that ebullient ham, Robert Cummings, who alas gives a truly lousy performance in what is the key role.
Aside from a valiant attempt by newcomer Lizabeth Scott to dispense a bit of genuine charm to counterbalance Cummings' outlandish artificiality, the rest of the players seem cowed and overawed.
Despite the sterling efforts of the photographer, the composer (who has contributed a witty and melodious score), and the art directors, all making the most of an undeniably handsome budget, the general atmosphere of this picture can be expressed in one word: Cloying.
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