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Never Say Goodbye was one of three films Errol Flynn did for Warner Brothers where apparently Jack Warner tried to change his action hero image somewhat and broaden his appeal. No doubt at the behest of Flynn himself who was complaining to Jack Warner the same way Tyrone Power was doing over at 20th Century Fox with Darryl Zanuck.

Errol's a little less than heroic here, just your average divorced father who happens to be a commercial artist. He and Eleanor Parker have been divorced a couple of years now, but daughter Patti Brady so wants them back together again, especially as a Christmas wish.

Errol's willing enough, but he's got some stiff competition in the persons of Donald Woods who is courting Parker and Marine Forrest Tucker who Brady's been writing to. On the imbecilic instructions of her dear old dad who knows what Marines like, she sends a picture of Mommy in a bathing suit. Of course that piques Tucker's interest quite a bit. Errol himself has model Peggy Knudsen interested in him, but she's not going to wait around forever.

Add to this scene stealing veterans like Lucille Watson as Parker's mother and restaurateur S.Z. Sakall and you've got the makings of a nice family type picture, the kind that Errol Flynn so rarely made in his career. Flynn does fine in the part, but for comedy he's far better in Footsteps In The Dark as the millionaire/mystery writer. Flynn's first effort at comedy was The Perfect Specimen done early in his career with Joan Blondell. I've not seen that one, I do so wish TCM would run it.

Never Say Goodbye neither changed Flynn's image with the movie-going public nor did it chart any new directions for him. But it's a pleasant enough comedy diversion. Note that 'imitation' of another Warner Brothers star towards the end.

This movie is a hidden gem. I can't understand why this movie doesn't get more air time. Errol and Eleanor Parker make for a real attractive and dashing couple. And their chemistry is impeccable. I really liked the touch of his daughters reference to him as being her Robin Hood. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Errol Flynn. It's nice to see Errol playing a father as well. By all accounts from his very own children, he was a very attentive and loving father in real life. Also, the supporting cast is wonderful as well. You can't go wrong with supporting players such as Hattie McDaniel and Lucile Watson. Hattie McDaniel makes a movie that much better from the get-go. This movie has now become a Holiday tradition in my home. Enjoy!!!

The premise is one of those that could go either way of charming and fun or corny and over-sentimental. Yet, after it appeared as a recommendation here, 'Never Say Goodbye' immediately had me intrigued reading up on it. Have always liked Errol Flynn in his swashbuckling adventure roles and seeing him do comedy was a big interest point. The rest of the cast are a very talented bunch, including Eleanor Parker, Lucile Watson and SZ Sackall.

'Never Say Goodbye' didn't disappoint me and it turned out, despite not being perfect, to exceed my quite high expectations. It is a lovely film and deserves to be a lot better known, proving that Flynn could indeed do comedy very well and should have had more chances to show that. After seeing a fair share of disappointing films recently and going through a difficult period health-wise, 'Never Say Goodbye' was something of a breath of fresh air.

Maybe it is a little too sickly sweet to begin with, one can feel and taste the sugar at the beginning. The ending also felt a little too easy and safe, it certainly wraps things up so that was good but it does so too neatly.

Anybody that criticises 'Never Say Goodbye' as being cliched is right, it is cliched and in a somewhat recycled way. Donald Woods has a thankless role and is pretty bland in it.

However, it is really difficult to be too hard on 'Never Say Goodbye'. Flynn is his usual dashing self, while also showing ounces of charm and energy and with no signs of being taxed in comedy. Parker doesn't have as interesting a role, but she is also very charming. Patti Brady is adorable and just about avoids being too cloying, apart from at the start perhaps, and doesn't overplay the precociousness. Watson does snobbish beautifully, with force and acid wit, while Hattie McDaniel is both amusing and endearing. Sakall is a lot of fun and Forrest Tucker is beautifully restrained and reassuring. The characters are ones that may be stereotypes but aren't thin or personality-free ones, Woods excepted, and they are worth rooting for. Tucker's character is so loveable.

Really liked the writing on the most part, even if it is not the most original or inspired it to me was at least written well. The humour is breezily timed and very amusing (hilarious in the case of the mirror scene parody that would make the Marx Brothers proud) and the sentiment is sincere, warms the heart and tugs at the heart-strings. The pace is bright and breezy and the chemistry between the cast is beautifully done. It's directed with a loving and not too heavy hand, and handles the comedy, sentiment and cuteness well. The film is very nicely shot as well.

In conclusion, a more than worthwhile watch and underseen regardless of its flaws. 7/10

Errol Flynn is a highly successful commercial artist trying to reconcile with his ex-wife (Eleanor Parker) in "Never Say Goodbye," a 1946 comedy featuring Patti Brady, S. Z. Zakal, Lucile Watson, Hattie McDaniel and Donald Woods.

Phil Gayley's (Flynn) philandering (he draws beautiful women in swimsuits) caused the breakup with his former wife Ellen. As a result, their 8-year-old daughter Phillipa (Brady), whose nickname is Flip, spends six months with her father in New York City and six months with her mother, who also lives in New York City.

Flip wants her parents back together in one place. They want it, too, but every time it's about to happen, a woman shows up because Phil forgot he made a date with her.

Then a marine (Forrest Tucker) comes to town, eager to meet the woman who has been writing to him. It's Flip, with the help of a book and the typing of her nanny (McDaniel).

There was one other helper - Phil, who when Flip wanted to send her photo, suggested she send her mother's instead. The marines land just at the right time, when Ellen is out to give Phil a dose of his own medicine.

This is a rather silly script that is helped immensely by a fine supporting cast, the incredible charm of Errol Flynn and the loveliness - and gorgeous gowns -- of Eleanor Parker. She is stunning in this movie, and, as a fan of hers, why her star didn't burn brighter in Hollywood is beyond me.

Flynn was wonderful in light comedy, and many people believe it was the right niche for him. The problem is, other actors did comedy as well or better, and Flynn's swashbuckling/adventure work is exceptional. However, it's always fun to see him in something different.

His Bogart imitation is suspiciously good; that's because Bogart dubbed the voice. In "Never Say Goodbye," he is just beginning to show a little dissipation around the edges; the major part of his career would be over four years later. It was too short a run.

As others have mentioned, the best part of the film occurs with the appearance of Forrest Tucker, so young he's practically unrecognizable. In fact, he's 27! Worth seeing for the cast.

While I can't say too much for the script, NEVER SAY GOODBYE proves that Warner Bros. should have let ERROL FLYNN have his way with playing comedies more frequently. After a weak start with FOOTSTEPS IN THE DARK, they decided he was better off as the stalwart hero of adventure films instead. But his performance here is a genuine delight.

And FORREST TUCKER as a big Marine lug who thinks ELEANOR PARKER has written him letters during his war service, is another big surprise. His handling of the lovable Marine is downright enjoyable without an excessive amount of mugging. He ambles through the part with authority and the sort of restraint that makes the part just believable enough.

Otherwise, the script is on the uninspired side--with little Patty Brady as a girl who wants her parents (Flynn and his ex-wife Eleanor Parker) to reunite. Naturally all of her plans make for the mishaps and misunderstandings until all ends well.

On the down side, there are a few unfunny scenes during a restaurant rendezvous, but the best part of the film is ahead once Forrest Tucker shows up. From then on, it takes on a breezier style.

Donald Woods has his usual thankless role as the suitor Eleanor is thinking of as marriage material and Lucille Watson does a nice turn as her mother who disapproves of her ex-son-in-law.

Nothing special but it passes the time pleasantly and shows Flynn did have a gift for comedy. His Bogart act is priceless.