moonspinner55 Review of Never Say Goodbye

Never Say Goodbye (1946)

A soft-sell from Flynn, but he does more for the picture than it does for him...

[3/10 · 18 December 2011]

Divorced for just one year, a New York calendar artist (who specializes in cheesecake portraits) and a wealthy society lady are reunited by their precocious preteen daughter (nicknamed Flip!). Despite a script littered with talented names (I.A.L. Diamond, James V. Kern, and Lewis R. Foster adapting a story by Ben and Norma Barzman), this overly-cute concoction with holiday trimmings is enough to sink even Errol Flynn's curious good nature. Flynn isn't well-partnered with Eleanor Parker, and his punchlines are no better than those for the rest of the cast, yet he dances around the banal jokes and cozies up to his co-stars with the utmost charm. He doesn't attempt to make something special out of the frivolous material (he coasts through on his good will), but the sugar-coated scenario weakens his matinée appeal and turns him into a plastic prince. As a teddy-bear soldier, Forrest Tucker actually makes a stronger impression. Supporting cast, including S.Z. 'Cuddles' Sakall, Peggy Knudsen, and Hattie McDaniel, adds a bit of flavor, but the over-rehearsed youngster (Patti Brady, with an unplaceable accent) is filled with gooey-false uplift. Leaden package needs more than slapstick, sweet music, and changing partners...it could also use a heart. *1/2 from ****