The Very Thought of You

After spending three long years at war, with two years dedicated to the Aleutian campaign and a period in “cold storage” on Attu Island, Army Sergeants Dave (played by Dennis Morgan) and his close friend “Fixit” (Dane Clark) finally receive orders to return to the United States. They take a Thanksgiving pass in Pasadena and pay a visit to Dave’s beloved Caltech, all while awaiting their next deployment in the Pacific Theater.

During their time there, they encounter two young women employed at a parachute factory. Cora (Faye Emerson) instantly attracts Fixit’s attention, while Janet (Eleanor Parker) is a familiar face from Dave’s school days. Aware that Dave has no family in the area, Janet graciously invites him to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with her family.

However, the warm welcome is short-lived as her family does not receive him kindly. Janet’s mother expresses disapproval of her daughter’s relationship with a military man who is often away. This tension is fueled further by Janet’s sister Molly (Andrea King), who is unfaithful to her sailor husband, and her rude brother who has been classified 4-F. Only Janet’s father and younger sister Ellie provide a semblance of warmth, with Ellie noticing the chemistry between Janet and Dave and orchestrating a secret date for them on Thanksgiving morning.

Though their excursion to Mount Wilson causes them to return home late, Janet and Dave find it hard to say goodbye. They ultimately decide to spend the night at Cora’s apartment and drift off to sleep, only to return to Janet’s home at 3 a.m., leading to a slap from her mother.

As Dave prepares to report for duty in San Diego, he finds himself deeply in love with Janet, leading to their quick marriage and a brief honeymoon. Meanwhile, Molly shows her disdain by intercepting Dave’s letters to Janet. In search of independence, Janet moves into Cora’s apartment, where she and Dave plan a quick meeting in San Diego. Sleeping on a beach due to a lack of accommodations, their bond grows stronger.

However, news of war changes everything when Janet discovers she is pregnant, leading to increased hostilities with Molly. But when word arrives that both Dave and Fixit have been injured, the dynamics shift dramatically. Janet’s family begins to soften, with Molly even pleading with her husband Fred (William Prince) for forgiveness, allowing the family to reconcile.

After more months apart, Dave finally returns home to embrace his wife and meet their newborn baby boy, marking a bittersweet closure to a tumultuous journey filled with love and challenges.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:26