In the wake of "From Here to Eternity" comes this film that also stars Deborah Kerr. IN FHTE, she was involved with Burt Lancaster; here she similarly becomes involved with a morally-questionable marine named Lt. Col. Colin Black (William Holden).
Lee Ashley (Kerr) arrives at Noumea on the island of New Caledonia as a new member of the Red Cross team that operates there, primarily to support American troops through its American Red Cross Service Club. She falls under the guidance of Kate Connors (Thelma Ritter), who has years of experience and plenty of learned wisdom.
Like everyone else, Lee finds Lt. Col Black to be an unlikable martinet with a chip on his shoulder. But she eventually discovers why he is that way and they forge an unlikely romantic relationship. Just when it seems the film will be an unorthodox love story, it becomes a soap opera that focuses on the "profane". And just when the viewer feels duped by its melodrama, it then turns into a commentary on war and virtue.
William Holden came to this film on a hot streak. Consider: "Executive Suite", "Sabrina", "The Country Girl", "The Bridges at Toko-Ri", "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing", and "Picnic." That string of box office successes ended with this film, but don't judge this film until its end.
After this film, Deborah Kerr went directly to "The King and I" and "Tea and Sympathy", also released in 1956, finding more success.
Those who enjoy spotting cameos might want to watch for Frank Gorshin and Robert Morse in the early scenes. They are difficult to spot. The film also features performances by Marion Ross of "Happy Days" fame, Ross Bagdasarian of "Alvin and the Chipmunks" fame, and renowned trumpeter Maynard Ferguson.
Lee Ashley (Kerr) arrives at Noumea on the island of New Caledonia as a new member of the Red Cross team that operates there, primarily to support American troops through its American Red Cross Service Club. She falls under the guidance of Kate Connors (Thelma Ritter), who has years of experience and plenty of learned wisdom.
Like everyone else, Lee finds Lt. Col Black to be an unlikable martinet with a chip on his shoulder. But she eventually discovers why he is that way and they forge an unlikely romantic relationship. Just when it seems the film will be an unorthodox love story, it becomes a soap opera that focuses on the "profane". And just when the viewer feels duped by its melodrama, it then turns into a commentary on war and virtue.
William Holden came to this film on a hot streak. Consider: "Executive Suite", "Sabrina", "The Country Girl", "The Bridges at Toko-Ri", "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing", and "Picnic." That string of box office successes ended with this film, but don't judge this film until its end.
After this film, Deborah Kerr went directly to "The King and I" and "Tea and Sympathy", also released in 1956, finding more success.
Those who enjoy spotting cameos might want to watch for Frank Gorshin and Robert Morse in the early scenes. They are difficult to spot. The film also features performances by Marion Ross of "Happy Days" fame, Ross Bagdasarian of "Alvin and the Chipmunks" fame, and renowned trumpeter Maynard Ferguson.