A wartime romance between two people (Anna Neagle, Michael Wilding) starts when they literally bump into each other on a London sidewalk during WW II. As they run for cover during a bombing they become instantly attracted to each other.
There is a whirlwind romance during which we see a little of their lives. She dances; he has a sister (Coral Browne). But she's on a 72-hour pass and must see off a Canadian friend (Michael Laurence). When she returns to the flat he shares with his sister they decide to marry.
Here's where this film takes a remarkable turn. In a role reversal she's the one being shipped out (to Singapore) while he stays home in an office job. When Singapore falls to the Japanese she's on a ship that is sunk. The war report back in London says she has been killed but she's shipwrecked on an island with a few other for 3 years.
Meanwhile, Wilding meets another woman (Frances Mercer) and marries her and has a son. But after Neagle is rescued from the island and returns to London, we see the mess that has been created. Legally she is still the wife. Legally the son is illegitimate. This little wartime romance film takes a decidedly dramatic turn and presents us with quite a quandary.
Neagle is excellent and has a terrific scene when she's in the little boat and watches the rescue plane go overhead, unsure of her own sanity. Wilding is also excellent as the innocent who tries to get on with his life. Neagle and Wilding are a terrific team.
Co-stars include Edward Rigby as the butler, A.E. Matthews as Sir Charles, Reginald Owen as the judge, Brenda Bruce as Sally, and Michael Medwin as the radio operator.
Nicely directed by the underrated Herbert Wilcox (Neagle's husband) and scripted by frequent collaborator Nicholas Phipps.
There is a whirlwind romance during which we see a little of their lives. She dances; he has a sister (Coral Browne). But she's on a 72-hour pass and must see off a Canadian friend (Michael Laurence). When she returns to the flat he shares with his sister they decide to marry.
Here's where this film takes a remarkable turn. In a role reversal she's the one being shipped out (to Singapore) while he stays home in an office job. When Singapore falls to the Japanese she's on a ship that is sunk. The war report back in London says she has been killed but she's shipwrecked on an island with a few other for 3 years.
Meanwhile, Wilding meets another woman (Frances Mercer) and marries her and has a son. But after Neagle is rescued from the island and returns to London, we see the mess that has been created. Legally she is still the wife. Legally the son is illegitimate. This little wartime romance film takes a decidedly dramatic turn and presents us with quite a quandary.
Neagle is excellent and has a terrific scene when she's in the little boat and watches the rescue plane go overhead, unsure of her own sanity. Wilding is also excellent as the innocent who tries to get on with his life. Neagle and Wilding are a terrific team.
Co-stars include Edward Rigby as the butler, A.E. Matthews as Sir Charles, Reginald Owen as the judge, Brenda Bruce as Sally, and Michael Medwin as the radio operator.
Nicely directed by the underrated Herbert Wilcox (Neagle's husband) and scripted by frequent collaborator Nicholas Phipps.