When an old friend, Wally (Martin Milner), shows up with a new hit Broadway show it really sends Noel off the deep end. He misses his life in show business, and is upset that he never accomplished anything like Wally did. He goes on a drinking binge that ends in an affair, and he calls it off with Marjorie.

Of course it's never really over between Marjorie and Noel; they love each other too much and have too much chemistry. After some period of time, they are back together and Noel is working on a musical of his own and the tumultuous relationship continues.

Everett Freeman's script, from the best-selling novel by Herman Wouk, is cheesy at some points, and the film never really challenges Wood or Kelly, and it offers neither of them an opportunity to be great. It's definitely watchable, and it'll get a few good chuckles out of you. If they're showing Marjorie Morningstar on TCM or something and you have nothing else going on, then by all means watch it; but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it unless you are an enormous Natalie Wood or Gene Kelly fan.

Grade: C

Article Author: Brian Bell

Brian is 22, with some of the most diverse tastes in films you'll see. He enjoys everything from Ingmar Bergman to Michael Bay and will watch just about anything you throw his way. You can find more of his reviews on his site Moderns and Classics, as well as Netflix. …

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