usually musical in the 1940 be of a set formula and if you study film you know what i be talk about a certain running lenghth and very showy performance that be great on the surface but never get into the real personality of the character etc . this one be different and light year well and well worth it nomination for best picture of the year 1945 ( although have no chance of beat the eventual winner lose weekend ) . gene kelly be probably in the best form of his career yes i know about american in paris and singing in the rain . this one be different . he really get into his character of a sea wolf thinking ( at first ) that pick up any girl while on leave be nothing more than a lark . and if you have to make up a story to get her so be it until . sort of like the music man when he get his foot caught in the door . the eventual hilarity of the film stem mostly from his and his new pal ( sinatra ) attempt to make the story good in order to get the girl that he really and unexpectedly fall in love with . you be go to have to see the movie to see what i mean . besides that there be so many other element of great film in this one and it a classic buddy story and nostalgia to a time when wwii be almost over ( the war end about a month after the film release ) and a realization that a guy that always laugh at life can find out that he really be a great human be and great song and probably a few other element of classic film making that i can not think of right now . why not a 10. near the end at nearly 2 half hour start to feel a bit long . there be a small ballet number that gene kelly do that must have be a sensation in 1945 but seem date and feel like it just add minute now . but overall and this one a definite winner on every level .