Claudette Colbert shines in her portrayal of "Anne," a woman doing her best to raise two daughters, "Jane" (Jennifer Jones) and "Brig" (Shirley Temple), while her husband is away serving in World War II. Facing financial difficulties, she takes in a lodger, "Col. Smollett" (Monty Woolley), to help make ends meet. There are moments when you really sympathize with this woman who seems constantly overwhelmed. Their guest proves to be quite particular – he dislikes children and animals, and Woolley perfectly embodies that stuffy military attitude. Complicating matters further, the younger "Jane" is preoccupied with romantic interests, specifically their family friend "Tony" (Joseph Cotton), a man older than herself who enlists in the navy. Unbeknownst to “Jane,” she’s the focus of affection for their house guest's rather clumsy grandson, "Bill" (Robert Walker). While it might seem complicated on paper, Colbert, Woolley, and Cotton have excellent chemistry together, creating a fast-moving and amusing sequence of events that, though heightened, feel familiar to many families struggling during wartime without a husband or father. Temple appears intermittently, contributing to the war effort by gathering scrap metal, and Jones performs admirably as both daughters learn to toughen up, regardless of their feelings about it. Max Steiner’s upbeat soundtrack keeps things lively and energetic, although Colbert truly stands out as the film's central figure. It was an enjoyable experience.

Source on TMDB