Eleanor Parker is Ellen Gayley, and Errol Flynn portrays her ex-husband, Phillip, a swimsuit artist. While Ellen never stopped loving Phillip, nor he her, she grew weary of him continually wining and dining his lovely swimsuit models, so she divorced him. They have an adorable 7 year old daughter named Phillippa (Flip), whose custody they share---six months with one parent, six months with another.
As the movie begins, Flip, who loves both her parents and yearns for them to get back together, is finishing up her time with her dad and is due to return to her mother. When Phillip returns Flip to Ellen on the first anniversary of their divorce, he asks her to go to dinner with him at Luigi's, one of their favorite restaurants. As the evening progresses, both Ellen and Phillip make it clear that they long to reconcile with one another; however, unremembered by Phillip, swimsuit model, Nancy, shows up at Luigi's for the date Phillip had made with her. In a very funny scene (with "Cuddles" Sakall being his adorable, hilarious self), Phillip tries to dine with both women in one restaurant...without either one of them knowing of the other's presence. Of course, he can't keep up the charade, and Ellen finds out that Phillip hasn't given up other women after all, causing her to walk out on him.
Meanwhile, little Flip, desirous of boosting armed services morale, has been writing letters to a Marine, signing them "Smoochy." Only thing is, the photo she sent to him is one of her mother in a swimsuit, so when the man is in town on leave and stops by to meet his pen pal, he assumes Ellen, not Flip, is the one who has been writing him love letters. Flip decides to use the situation to get her parents back together...and she does it adorably.
Never Say Goodbye is a total delight. Though I've not watched many Errol Flynn films and, therefore, don't know him all that well, I found him very charming here. And, of course, as I have already made clear, I love Eleanor Parker. She is beautiful, graceful, and thoroughly captivating here. There are a few screwball comedy moments, but mostly, this movie is just sweet and adorable. Definitely try to see it if you can. I believe it is out on DVD, but I know it's available on VHS.
Finally, just an aside, there is another movie called Never Say Goodbye, which I am longing to see. It's a drama from 1956 and stars Rock Hudson. In no way is it a remake of this. Totally different films, just the same name. Have any of y'all seen that one? I keep hoping TCM will air it, but, so far, it hasn't been on their schedule.
Anyhow, happy viewing!!
