Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison

I recently saw Deborah Kerr in Perfect Strangers (aka Vacation From A Marriage), which is a British World War II film.  The American title is a bit risque, no?  I was led to watch this later Kerr film, which also takes place during WWII, but this time she is only married to Jesus.  

The film is basically a two-star affair with Robert Mitchum as an American marine stuck on a Pacific island, later occupied by the Japanese, with a nun. The Japanese are seen rather neutrally going about their business though at one point Mitchum has a fatal encounter.  (No one reads this; I grant the mild spoiler.)  Both actors are very good in their roles.

I don't actually remember the nun saying "Heaven knows, Mr. Allison."  He is an orphan and not much for religion though near the end has a burst of insight (involving protecting troops) that is suggested to be divinely obtained.  The film in effect has a happy ending (the Americans successfully take control of the island) but the reality is that we don't know what happens to him afterward.  

The film brings to mind Father Goose, a more comic-minded (though the war is there too) account with Cary Grant as a marooned spotter for the Allies (if not totally voluntarily) who gets stuck with Leslie Caron and her students.  Not a great fan of the age difference (she is like half his age) but the film itself is pleasant and I am amused by his gruffly asking at one point where the buried liquor bottles are.  

Bonus Film: I got around to seeing all of The Model and the Marriage Broker, a chance for the actress Thelma Ritter (who got successful in middle age) to shine.  Jeanne Crain is nice on the eyes and has some acting chops of her own as the first half of the title.  The final role of her love interest was Gremlins!

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I also read Anne Perry's second mystery.  It is pretty good though like the first time at some point felt things were going on too long.  And, one character (who plays an indirect role) who gets a lot of attention is a rather tiresome person.  

Finally, the actual mystery is only solved in the final pages.  It's still a decent read all and all.  

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The Svengoolie film -- now in an 8-10:30 timeslot (the whole thing has a more "late show" vibe, but you can always DVR) is The Car. 

I saw him air this film years ago (in a two-hour slot) and it is a time waster if you are in the mood.  As one movie book notes, the whole thing could be told in less than half the time and it is not exactly high quality.

If you want that, find Duel.