Vincent Sherman directed this romantic comedy, starring Ida Lupino, Sydney Greenstreet and William Prince.
Based on Rose Simon Kohn’s play Pillar to Post, it’s about a tired traveling saleswoman who’s struggling to find a place to sleep during the WWII housing shortage.
Socialite Jean Howard (Ida Lupino) is stirred to patriotism and eager to help the war effort. When she overhears her father, J. R. Howard (Paul Harvey), complain that the military has taken the salesmen of his oil rig supply company, she volunteers to take their place. J. R. reminds her that she has never worked a day in her life.
On business trip, she arrives at a town where the only place to sleep is a bungalow reserved for married couples. When she is mistaken for a lieutenant’s war bride, she goes along.
To register at the Colonial Auto Court, however, she has to show her “husband.” She persuades a reluctant Lieutenant Don Mallory (William Prince) to help her out, promising it will only take a few minutes.
The couple become trapped in their masquerade as newlyweds when they run into Don’s commanding officer, Colonel Michael Otley (Sydney Greenstreet), who lives nearby with his wife.
When Jean meets prospective customer Earl “Slim” Clark (Johnny Mitchell), he insists on taking her out to dinner to discuss the deal. To maintain appearances, Don goes along.
The dinner does not go well. While trying to restrain a drunk acquaintance, Slim accidentally knocks Don out and is himself rendered unconscious by the drunk man.
When they return to the auto court, Don and Jean must sleep under the same roof on their “wedding night”. He gives her the bed and sleeps in the kitchen, before moving outdoors.
Complications ensue when Otley takes an interest in the couple and insists that Don make Jean the beneficiary of his insurance policy. Don’s mother also arrives for an early unexpected visit.
During dinner party given by the Otleys, the colonel mentions to Jean the impending court martial of another lieutenant who lied about being married. Alarmed, she drinks heavily to steady her nerves. While drunk, she reveals to Don that she has fallen in love with him.
Lucille (Willie Best), a male auto court employee, tells Otley that he did see Don sleep outside, so the colonel doesn’tt press charges.
In the end, Don decides to get married, much to Jean’s delight.
Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra as Themselves at the Tavern, with Dorothy Dandridge as the performer.
Robert Blake has an uncredited role as a brat at the auto court who likes to drop water bombs on unsuspecting passersby.
Of Similar Interest (but Better)
The More the Merrier, 1943, George Stevens.
Cast
Ida Lupino as Jean Howard
Sydney Greenstreet as Colonel Michael Otley
William Prince as Lieutenant Don Mallory
Stuart Erwin as Captain Jack Ross
Johnny Mitchell as Earl “Slim” Clark
Ruth Donnelly as Mrs. Grace Wingate, manager of auto court
Barbara Brown as Mrs. Kate Otley, the colonel’s wife
Frank Orth as Taxi Driver
Regina Wallace as Mrs. Mallory, Don’s mother
Willie Best as Lucille
