Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Turned on the TV and found a TCM movie from 1944 I have not seen before (which is rare). Two Girls and a Sailor World War II "soldier's canteen" type movie with a hell of a cast, and many of the young male character actors you see in many of the wartime movies. You recognize the faces but not the names. Great music, Harry James and Xazier Cugat and James plays a small part. June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven and that ever-present WWII actor, Van Johnson. AND Jimmy Durante! AND Gracie Allen! AND dozens of entertaining parts by famous singers and dancers and musicians of the time. It's a smorgasbord of the very best of the entertainment industry during the war (AND a far cry from the GARBAGE today). Every now and then I get lucky and find a real gem! Sad to realize that virtually ALL of the folks in this movie have joined Bob Hope and others, over the rainbow. The Greatest Generation is fading fast. Gloria DeHaven died just last summer at age 91. If you missed the TCM broadcast, it's free on the Internet!

Considering the talent involved, the movie should be better than it is. What's needed is a lot more bounce and about twenty minutes less of the romantic guessing game, which drags along too much of the time. Too bad we don't get more of the sparkle and zip of the Young Man with a Horn number. Allyson really comes alive during those moments. Durante is of course Durante lending his inimitable style of pizazz, while the baby-faced De Haven shines, along with Johnson who really deserves more screen time. The love-struck soldier is a novel touch for a movie of this type, though somewhat creepy at times. And what in the heck does the subplot of the two elderly gentlemen do other than meander a story-line that's already too drawn-out. Note how high-brow musicians Albert Coates and Jose Iturbi do musical spots. Having the classically trained making guest appearances was not unusual for popular musicals of the time. I suppose producers thought this would broaden audience appeal. Anyway it's a good chance to scope out Harry James at his peak and vintage Lena Horne. Fortunately, the kids themselves would go on to bigger and better things.

Perky June Allyson and lovely Gloria DeHaven are two vaudevillians given a chance to open their own canteen for military personnel by a mysterious benefactor. The very thin plot revolves around this simple premise and at over two hours running time it becomes very stretched indeed. However, as this is an MGM movie, there is much to enjoy thanks to the plethora of studio talent involved. The highlights for me were gorgeous Virginia O'Brien doing her usual 'deadpan' number, June Allyson's terrific 'Young Man With A Horn', beautiful Lena Horne singing 'Paper Doll' and who could resist Jimmy Durante performing 'Inka Dinka Doo'? The production is lavish with huge sets, hundreds of extras and fabulous costumes. The bizarre dream sequence is quite eye-popping and even includes a fashion parade with some truly beautiful models. Quite an extravaganza!

I was nine in 1944, living in Cincinnati during WWII when this movie came to RKO Royal Theatre.I saw it twice then. Later, when we had moved back to Tennessee, I saw it again the Roxy Theatre in Clarksville, Tenn. About 1995 I read that "Two Girls And A Sailor" was released on VHS,I rushed to have my video store order me a copy. Now I have it, and watch it every couple of months. It's almost like being 9 years old again ! (And I'm still mad about June Allyson !)