Excellent but underrated film

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

1954 was an outstanding year for leading ladies in film, and sadly, with only five Oscar nominees, there have to be some who do not get nominated. Unfortunately, one of those not nominated gave one of the greatest performances ever seen on screen, one that truly stands the test of time and will tear your heart out. That is Shirley Booth, fresh from her Oscar winning turn in "Come Back Little Sheba", returning for her second film and every bit as memorable as she was in that William Inge classic. When you first meet Mrs. Leslie, it is assumed that the "Mrs." part is simply just an honorary title she has not to be considered an old maid by the people who rent rooms from her. They include a man who likes to drink far too much (and runs over her flowers when trying to pull in the driveway), an idealistic young lady searching for love, and a spoiled teenager filled with entitlement who will make you want to reach through the screen and throttle her. Their assumptions about their landlady are completely wrong, as the audience finds out through her reflections on her life with the shy Robert Ryan, playing against type.Once a nightclub chanteuse, Booth met the handsome industrialist Ryan who swept her away for summer vacations on the ocean and gave her the romance she has been craving all of her life. When around Ryan, Booth can truly be herself, and she gives up her career as a singer so she can be with him. But they are summer flings only, and when September arrives, it is back to reality for Booth who must find other ways of supporting herself because of a blackballing in the nightclub scene for her running out on her contract simply to be with Ryan. She mothers him in a way he obviously seems to need mothering, as it is obvious that his character has many hidden demons that would prevent them from actually getting married. But he gives her the honorary name of Mrs. Leslie when they are together simply so she won't feel that their romantic summers are about living in sin.The connections between her past and present lives help make her more understandable in the way she deals with her tenants, particularly the nasty Eilene Janssen as the 18 year old tenant who expects Booth to wait on her hand and foot and shows no gratitude for anything, leading to a confrontation when Booth ends away Janssen's ill-mannered date. So her character is far from perfect, interfering in subtle ways that makes her more human. Brief appearances by familiar character actors such as Ellen Corby (a gossipy neighbor), Percy Helton (a frustrated bartender), Harry Morgan (a business associate of Ryan's) and Mabel Albertson (a fussy customer) add some amusing characterizations. This is extremely well written and directed, but when it is all over, you will come out singing the praises of Ms. Booth who only did one film comedy ("The Matchmaker") before taking on the TV sitcom role ("Hazel") which overshadows much of the great dramatic work she did on screen and has made her classic stage work ("My Sister Eileen", "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn") completely forgotten.

Beautiful film where a single lounge singer sparks a friendship and eventually a relationship with a successful businessman. They meet once a year in California by the sea. Every year, the man and his girlfriend meet and enjoy fishing, running in the surf, and intimate dinners at a local seafood restaurant. She doesn't ask questions, but simply enjoys his company. He appreciates their time together without any prying into his life. Mrs. Leslie's advice to a young couple embarking on marriage: "Be honest with each other. Give everything you've got. Don't settle for half. You gotta have it all: marriage, kids, the works. It cost me a life to find that out."

The story is very believable and likely raised a lot of eyebrows back when it was released. I love older movies because they do not show all the gratuitous sex scenes but rather, hint at the possibility. I also appreciate Shirley Booth and Bob Ryan as actors. However, now here is the part that is going to rebut the previous reviews, I personally feel both of these actors are miscast in this movie. Neither seem to deliver heartfelt lines. It really feels like they are just reading the script. Robert Ryan is exquisite in film noir and this is movie is not his forte. And I don't know why Shirley Booth doesn't put any more feeling into delivering her lines because I know she is capable of doing so. So while I think the movie is a very good story line, I wish they would have cast other actors. Just stating my opinion is all and I do appreciate and respect the previous reviewers felt both were absolutely stunning in their parts.

What a movie. I don't know how or where to start to rave and praise it. The acting, the story. So very believable, and for a woman to live with a man outside of wedlock in the 1930's...well, unheard of then...or maybe not so. This is the story of a woman who accepts a man who can only offer her a six week a year commitment. But, oh, it is so worth it. You have to see this movie to fully understand it. The casting of both Shirley and Robert were perfection. So realistic. A very, very poignant and touching piece. Youth vs. age, many subplots, but done in a superior way of flashbacks. The character of Mrs. Leslie is one who has learned all about life's foibles and disappointments. She has her memories of her "Mr. Leslie, honey," to sustain her. I cannot praise this movie enough. I have it on VHS, recorded from TV. I cannot locate it on DVD. See this if and when it replays on television. It is amazing.