Romantic comedy was never Errol Flynn's forte, but he occasionally gave it the old college try in such films as Never Say Goodbye. Flynn plays Phil Gayley, a Petty-like magazine illustrator, whose close proximity with gorgeous female models ruins his marriage to the lovely Ellen (Eleanor Parker). When the Gayleys divorce, their precocious 7-year-old daughter Flip (Patti Brady) contrives to bring them back together. She does, of course, but not before several by-the-number comic complications, not least of which finds Phil and his romantic rival Rex DeVallon (Donald Woods) dressed in lookalike Santa Claus suits. The film's biggest laughs are garnered whenever Errol Flynn lampoons his established "swashbuckler" image, which he does with apparent relish. At one point, Flynn even imitates Humphrey Bogart-an effect accomplished by dubbing in the voice of the real Bogart! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Errol Flynn works so hard in Never Say Goodbye that one wishes it were a better movie than it is. But no matter how charming Flynn may be, Goodbye is a predictable, by-the-numbers romantic comedy that lacks true flair and spark. Flynn comes off well, although he's not quite at home here. The star wasn't cast often in these kind of roles, and they don't seem to come naturally to him, but one gets the impression that with one or two more under his belt, he might have become quite an asset to the genre. Eleanor Parker looks gorgeous and does as well as can be expected with a role that has nothing original about it. Unfortunately, Patti Brady as the stars' daughter is actively annoying and far too saccharine sweet. S.Z. Sakall is charming as usual, but it's Forrest Tucker who makes the biggest impression as a very likeable marine who has been lead astray by Brady's letters. Despite the cast's hard work, though, they just can't overcome the lifeless script or only-adequate direction. Goodbye isn't a terrible film, but it won't make anyone forget It Happened One Night. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Anton Grot - Art Director, Leah Rhoads - Costume Designer, James Kern - Director, Folmar Blangsted - Editor, Leo F. Forbstein - Composer (Music Score), Frederick Hollander - Composer (Music Score), Leonid Raab - Composer (Music Score), Leo F. Forbstein - Musical Direction/Supervision, Perc Westmore - Makeup, Arthur Edeson - Cinematographer, William Jacobs - Producer, Budd S. Friend - Set Designer, William McGann - Special Effects, Richard Van Enger - Special Effects, Ben Barzman - Screen Story, I.A.L. Diamond - Screenwriter, Lewis R. Foster - Screenwriter, James Kern - Screenwriter, Norma Barzman - Short Story Author
