YOU CAME ALONG

US, 1945, 103 minutes, Black and white.
Lizbeth Scott, Robert Cummings, Don Defore, Charles Drake, Julie Bishop, Kim Hunter, Rhys Williams, Franklin Pangborn, Minor Watson.
Directed by John Farrow.

You Came Along is one of Paramount's attempts to promote the sales of war bonds towards the end of the war. It is a romance story, with a sad but noble ending. It is of historical interest insofar as Ayn Rand (The Fountainhead) was one of the co-writers. John Farrow was the director and the film introduced Lizbeth Scott.

Robert Cummings, Don Defore and Charles Drake are a pleasant trio of heroes who go on a tour promoting bonds. Cummings falls in love with Scott - but, without telling her, dies of an illness. The film's camera looks up to the heavens at the end - a sign of post-war hope.

1.War romance drama? Comedy? In its time? Now?

2.Black and white photography, sets, the atmosphere of the time? Musical numbers and nightclubs? The contribution by Ayn Rand (and her philosophy)?

3.The title? Title song? Romance?

4.The focus on Bob and his pals? War decorations? On leave, the war bond tour? The meeting with Ivy? The travelling around the United States, meetings? Their opting out to meet women - and getting their comeuppance at a formal dinner? The support of the pals? Bob and his imagining himself as the man about town? His black book and addresses? His clashes with Ivy? Gradually falling in love with her? Jealousy, the marriage? His not telling her the truth about his illness, pretending to go on service, sending the letters, his death?

5.Ivy and her work at the bank, competent woman, seeing the wolves, being able to fend well for herself? Her own boyfriend? Arrangements, getting them out of scrapes? Falling in love with Bob? The lyrical and romantic scenes? Marriage? Her final grief?

6.The presentation of military personnel, the war effort? Bonds? Civic Tributes? The promotion of the effort?

7.A romantic drama of its time?