Until They Sail (1957)

Set in WWII New Zealand, four sisters react differently to the influx of American soldiers into their small town when their men are off to war. Barbara (Jean Simmons) is a faithful wife, who while awaiting word of her husband's fate in North Africa, finds herself attracted to a marine (Paul Newman). Anne (Joan Fontaine) is a prim spinster disgusted by the Americans. The unhappily married Delia (Piper Laurie) welcomes the chance for some excitement and 14 year old Evelyn (Sandra Dee, charming in her film debut) is too naive to fully comprehend what is going on. But before the war ends, their lives will change forever climaxing in a brutal murder. This acute, adult melodrama directed by Robert Wise (WEST SIDE STORY) avoids, for the most part, sentimentality. Instead it focuses on the reality of lonely women whose husbands have been away at war for years and the American G.I.s eager for companionship, the misunderstandings that result and how a war can change one's concept of morality when death is so close at hand. The performances are first rate with Laurie stealing the film as the promiscuous, unfaithful wife. Screenplay by Robert Anderson (TEA AND SYMPATHY) from a short story by James Michener (HAWAII). Music by David Raksin and shot in B&W CinemaScope by Joseph Ruttenberg. With Charles Drake, Dean Jones and Mickey Shaughnessy.