William Holden will forever be known to film fans as the shady prisoner in Stalag 17 (1953) or the corpse floating face down in Norma Desmond's swimming pool in Sunset Blvd. (1950), so it's pleasant to remember his career as a stalwart, appealing leading man wasn't all sturm und drang. In this light marital comedy, honest and hardworking Michael Stewart (Holden) won't marry his rich, flighty girlfriend Candy Goodwin (Frances Dee). Is it because her father (Grant Mitchell) thinks he's just a fortune hunter? To the contrary: Michael worries he won't be able to keep a heiress happy on his modest salary. But Candy is used to getting whatever she wants, and she wants him. This light comedy about a mixed marriage between two socioeconomic classes is gentle, and the chemistry between the leads is tender and believeable. It's no surprise: Frances Dee was almost fired from this picture, because she was having a hard time adjusting to backlot life again after returning from maternity leave. But Holden gallantly went to bat for her, earning a scolding from Columbia's president Harry Cohn but keeping his co-star in the end. Enjoy some priceless reaction shots from kid actor Danny Mummert.

By Violet LeVoit