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The Girl He Left Behind

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Wikipedia article




'The Girl He Left Behind' is a 1956 American romantic comedy film starring Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood. The supporting cast includes Jim Backus, Alan King, James Garner, and David Janssen. The film was written by Guy Trosper and directed by David Butler, and was filmed at Fort Ord, California. For both Garner and King, it was their third movie.

Plot



Andy Schaeffer is a spoiled mama's boy who usually gets his way. He breezes through college, while girlfriend Susan Daniels works hard at a job to pay for her education. She isn't sure where their relationship is going. Andy's grades begin to worsen, and he's being drafted by the army. Andy reports for basic training at Fort Ord, making it clear to everybody there that he'd rather be anyplace else.

Cast



* Tab Hunter as Private / Corporal Andy Schaeffer

* Natalie Wood as Susan

* Jessie Royce Landis as Mrs. Schaeffer

* Jim Backus as Sergeant Hanna

* Murray Hamilton as Sergeant Clyde

* Henry Jones as Hanson

* Alan King as Majors

* James Garner as Preston

* David Janssen as Captain Genaro

Production



Marion Hargrove had a huge success with his book 'See Here Private Hargrove' which sold 3,500,000 copies. Warner Bros. approached him to see if he would write a story about a draftee in the army in peacetime.

Hargrove agreed but wanted the story to be accurate, as he had left the army in 1945. He arranged through Warners to undertake enlistment and some basic training at Fort Ord. Hargrove told Warners he had enough material for the book. The studio paid him to write the novel and retained only the screen rights.

The novel was published in 1956. Hargrove wanted to call it 'All Quiet in the Third Platoon', but Warners preferred 'The Girl He Left Behind'.

Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood had appeared in 'The Burning Hills' together, and Warner Bros. was keen to build them into an on-screen team.

Filming started June 1956. Much of the film was shot at Fort Ord and used real soldiers.

See also



* List of American films of 1956

References



'Notes'


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