Publisher: CinemaSerf June 26, 2022
Brian Donlevy ("Capt. Mercer") has to knock three rookies into shape after they join the US Army Air Corps to fight in WWII. Ray Milland is cocky playboy "Jeff"; William Holden the aspiring mechanic "Ludlow" and Wayne Morris the all-American college boy "Tom". The film follows their training for and eventual participation in the war, and to that extent it almost serves as an engaging training film depicting the broader efforts of this less heralded service during the war. The rest of it runs way too much to romantic slapstick for my liking. The men are vying for the attentions of photographer "Carolyn" (Constance Moore) and the rather venal night club singer "Sally" (Veronica Lake). The former is just too sickly and wholesome; the latter has more of an edginess to her character but neither do much more the clutter up the action with some seriously implausible scenarios concluding in a denouement that is just daft! It's got just a bit too much stereotyping going on too - especially Holden's character, and the whole thing is way too long and wordy with not enough actual action. Mitchell Leisen has assembled a good cast, but seems not to know how best to exploit their skills and though there is a touch of chemistry between an on-form Lake and Milland, it's just not enough to take this off auto pilot.