Errol Flynn's role in Never Say Goodbye represented a rare departure from his usual adventure-themed parts into the world of comedy. This novelty alone makes Never Say Goodbye a treat to watch, especially with Flynn poking fun at his swashbuckler image with obvious relish. In one of the film's funniest scenes, Flynn does an impressive imitation of Humphrey Bogart (with the real Bogie's voice dubbed in). Flynn's charming performance in Never Say Goodbye leaves you wishing that the actor had tried his hand at romantic comedy more often. At one point, he even sings a few bars of the song "Remember Me."
The fine supporting cast includes Forrest Tucker, Hattie McDaniel, Donald Woods, S.Z. Sakall, Tom D'Andrea, Lucile Watson and Peggy Knudsen.
Most film reviewers were kind to Never Say Goodbye with Bosley Crowther's review for The New York Times typical of the movie's reception. "A swift change of pace has been afforded for stalwart Errol Flynn in Never Say Goodbye, which the Warners delivered to the Strand yesterday. For, in this playful excursion, the line-plunging hero of the past is doing some broken-field running through a decidedly permeable farce. And considering the interference provided him by the script, he is handling the novel assignment in a moderately entertaining style....Mr. Flynn's unaccustomed performance is not likely to win him a palm as Hollywood's most accomplished farceur, but it does have amusing points..."
Producer: William Jacobs
Director: James V. Kern
Screenplay: I.A.L. Diamond, James V. Kern, adaptation by Lewis R. Foster, story by Ben & Norma Barzman
Cinematography: Arthur Edeson
Art Direction: Anton Grot
Music: Friedrich Hollaender
Film Editing: Folmar Blangsted
Cast: Errol Flynn (Phil Gayley), Eleanor Parker (Ellen Gayley), Lucile Watson (Mrs. Hamilton), S.Z. Sakall (Luigi restaurateur), Forrest Tucker (Cpl. Fenwick Lonkowski), Donald Woods (Rex DeVallon), Peggy Knudsen (Nancy Graham), Hattie McDaniel (Cozy).
BW-94m. Closed Captioning.
by Andrea Passafiume
