Perfect Furlough, The/Strictly for Pleasure (1958) – Nostalgia Central

To pacify 104 sex-starved American soldiers who have been building a radar base at the North Pole for seven long months, Army psychologist Lt. Vicki Loren (Janet Leigh) suggests choosing one of the men by means of a lottery to have a “perfect furlough” (as determined by the men) on behalf of the unit, reasoning that the other men will share the leave vicariously.

The winner is Corporal Paul Hodges (Tony Curtis), who chooses three weeks in Paris with his favourite pin-up queen, movie star Sandra Roca (Linda Cristal), the “Argentine Bombshell”.

A tireless Don Juan, Hodges is kept under the watchful eyes of two members of the Military Police – nicknamed “Sylvia” (Gordon Jones) and “Hans” (Dick Crockett) – and Lt. Loren, who acts as a chaperone.

On New Year’s Eve, Sandra, Corporal Hodges, the military brass and the ever-present MPs attend a gala midnight party.

Paul manages a few moments on the dance floor with Sandra, but is then forced to spend the rest of the evening sending “wish you were here” cards back to his buddies at the Polar base.

Hodges is now head over heels in love with Sandra, but can’t get the opportunity to tell her.

He eventually manages to sneak off into the country on a picnic with Sandra, where he declares his love – whereupon Sandra tells him she’s married, but has kept it a secret because of her career.

Hodges accepts the news good-naturedly and they start back to Paris. En route, they visit a winery and Sandra falls into a wine vat. Returning to the hotel, they are accused of being on a king-size binge together.

Vicki Loren refuses to believe Corporal Hodges’ story, and the GI drives her to the site of the mishap. Vicki falls into the same wine vat, and it’s now plain that what has happened to her could have happened to Sandra.

When they return to the hotel, Lieutenant Loren is accused of going on a binge with playboy Hodges. The charge brings them closer together, and soon they fall in love.

Sandra’s secret marriage comes out when her press agent, Liz Baker (Elaine Baker), calls a doctor when Sandra gets a bad cold. The doctor promptly announces a baby is on the way, and Sandra reveals her marriage.

Although it’s time for Hodges to return to his Arctic base, wedding arrangements are hastily made, and the corporal and lieutenant exchange vows, with Sandra’s business manager, Henry Franklin (Keenan Wynn), acting as best man.

Released in some markets (including the UK) as Strictly for Pleasure. 

Cpl. Paul Hodges
Tony Curtis
Lt. Vicki Loren
Janet Leigh
Harvey Franklin
Keenan Wynn
Sandra Roca
Linda Cristal
Liz Baker
Elaine Stritch
Henri Valentin
Marcel Dalio
Col. Leland
Les Tremayne
Rene Valentin
Jay Novello
Maj. Collins
King Donovan
‘Sylvia’
Gordon Jones
‘Hans’
Dick Crockett
Pvt. Marvin Brewer
Alvy Moore
French Nurse
Lilyan Chauvin
Sgt. Nickles
Troy Donahue
French Doctor
Eugene Borden
Assistant Hotel Manager
James Lanphier

Director
Blake Edwards