This M-G-M "A" feature (the plot seems to run a laborious 120 minutes or so, but fortunately it is leavened by at least 30 minutes of musical numbers) starts off very promisingly with an amusing idea that – alas! – is resolved in favor of a corny romance. Charles Martin making his debut as a director (and his third film as a writer) adopts a somewhat casual approach. While this not-too-heavy, not-too-light handling certainly aids the earlier light-weight scenes, it does tend to make the climax seem rather under-played. Nevertheless, the actors, led by Van Johnson, Keenan Wynn and Pat Kirkwood are pleasant enough, but the big thrill for me was the presence of Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra playing Dvorak's "Humoresque" and supporting singer, Pat Kirkwood, with "Love on a Greyhound Bus" and "Isn't It Wonderful?" plus the Ralph Freed/Sammy Fain "All the Time" on which Pat was joined by Van Johnson.
Review of No Leave, No Love
