First of all, whoever wrote the imdb storyline did never watch this movie. Maybe that would have been a better plot but certainly that's not what this movie is about. The story of five silly, good-for-nothing unsympathetic schoolmates who have an ideal girl named Bernardine does not really allow for high expectations. Not even one of them being singer Pat Boone nor including some of his hits "Bernardine" and "Love letters" does much help the film. In fact, one of his songs (Johnny Mercer Technique about the way to proceed with girls) is so male chauvinist that it is hard to believe it was sung by the same man who wanted to change Ain't that a shame title and lyrics due to its content!
The story is based on a stage play (I wonder how could anyone want to adapt such silly and unconsistent play into a movie after watching it on theatres!) and has no point of interest. If trying to make a becoming of age story it fails completely. Bernardine matter is never developed into some consistent plot, characters are silly or dumb or both and they are hard to stand. Girls are dumb or just nobodies. Even main character's mother (Janet Gaynor) is rather silly and is a poor written role to end her movie career. One wanders what made good actors like her, Dean Jagger and Walter Abel accept such poorly scripted roles.
We see these five boys having fun doing nothing but bullying a classmate, racing boats (why did the producers not use more of boat races matter is a mystery) and spending their lives in a rather stupid and irritating way. They are not likeable to the audience and subsequently movie has a total lack of interest. Their supposed fiancees never appear (Pat Boone sings his songs miserably set in their club alone or with his pals!) and Pat's character is not very sympathetic either so the only thing this movie has are some nice songs (even Technique tune is nice if only had different lyrics) and some nice actors in poor minor roles. Doubt a higher budget would have helped such a flop. Pat Boone fans would have to wait until April love to watch him in bloom.
