As Garotas da Ilha dos Prazeres

It's a battle of proper upbringing versus surging hormones. That's the problem the three enchanting English sisters face as hundreds of US marines land on their little Pacific Island as WWII winds down. The three young women have never seen a 'white' boy since they're the only European family on an island that Dad administrates for the British empire. So now the girls meet not only one boy, but hundreds. Good thing Dad's very forceful in both speech and etiquette, but will that be enough to fend off nature taking its course. After all, both the guys and girls are, shall we say, starved for romance.

The movie's often amusing thanks to the sisters' high spirits, though Gloria, (Bromiley) spreads it on pretty thick, reminding me of the bubbly Debbie Reynolds. Eventually, each sister finds her own approach to romance, so the story's also about growing up under difficult circumstances .

The guys get less spotlight and amusement, except maybe for Taylor's handsome lieutenant. But it's really Genn's very proper father who makes the plot gel, as he must somehow manage both the guys and his three daughters. He may be a wet blanket but never becomes dislikable, quite a trick. I do wish the often hilarious and eccentric Elsa Lanchester had more screen time, but I'm afraid she's largely wasted.

The studio went out of its way to stock the crowd scenes of marines, but they could have popped for better-painted backdrops that mar some island exteriors. Anyway, I found the 95-minutes fairly amusing and at times charming, without being anything special. It's also noteworthy that the flick reflects very much the mores of its time (1953), with the titillating title and suggestive dialog that newly arrived TV couldn't emulate. Were it produced today, I wonder what levels the narrative would reach for or sink to depending on your perspective.