I Love a Soldier

This film was set during WWII. Eve (Paulette Goddard) works hard at a defense plant during the day and as often as she can, she goes out all night dancing and hanging out with sailors and soldiers. She likes the life but she does NOT want any romantic entanglements. After all, if she falls for a guy, he might just get killed and she'd be left to grieve for him.

In light of this, it's very surprising when two soldiers arrive to talk to her about their dead buddy, Richie. It seems he told his soldier buddies and family a completely fictional depiction of his love life...and based it all on one single date and a photo of him with Eve. At first, they think she's awful because she cannot recall the guy...until she explains her story to one of them, Dan (Sonny Tufts). So how does this mix-up result in something she desperately has avoided...a romantic entanglement?!

This is a nice, sentimental war film...one that doesn't focus on the enemy but the sacrifices men and women in the States went through to win the war. And, for the infamous Sonny Tufts, it's probably his best film, which isn't really saying all that much. But it is a pleasant film and is well made in most every way.

I now consider this movie as being at the top of my personal collection. If I was in Eve's place I probably wouldn't have even considered turning my back on marrying Danny , even knowing he was going back overseas again. Every moment with him I would have treasured.

I have seen Ann Doran in several movies but, none of which affected me so strongly. When her husband (played by I'm sure Hugh Beaumont) came home, I cried as Jenny greeted him home and didn't allow his blindness affect her love for him. Then Eve placed his baby in his arms, which was sad because he would never see his child and had Jenny describe the baby to him. Jenny was a very strong woman, I too would be praising God for John's return

Walter Sande was also unforgettable in hi roll of Stiff and Mary Trent as Cissy was very good also as she portraid herself as an irritating person with her constantly correcting Stiff and pushing him away as he wanted to be affectionate after they were engaged.

Barry Fitzgerald was priceless when he excitedly came into the apartment asking for Jenny, then having John led in prior to his wife coming into the room and seeing her husband standing there.

This is a small quiet film with much tenderness. Much like TENDER COMRADE. It's stars Paulette Goddard and Sonny Tufts, fresh from their successful teaming in SO PROUDLY WE HAIL. Paulette is a well meaning home front entertain-the-troops while on leave. Along comes Sonny and sparks fly. However, Paulette won't take anything serious as she doesn't want to get hurt when the fellows take off to fight the war. It's fun and sometimes sensitive in how she finally promises to wait for him to come home. I liked this movie because of the underplaying of the leads. Tufts is often made fun of for his one level acting [including the joke at Academy Award time when a star was introducing the next guest by saying " And now, here's Sonny Tufts?"] but I founf him in this film as he was in SO PROUDLY WE HAIL to hold his own and work well with Paulette. Maybe she did that for him. Nice small role of the San Francisco [the setting] cable car conductor played by Barry Fitzgerald. I have a poster of this film featuring Paulette leaning up against Tufts who has got to be at least six foot five. Well paced and directed by Mark Sandrich. Not on VHS or Television, I got this on tape through Video Finders, a great source for old films you can't find anywhere.