Joe "the Greek" Adams (Cary Grant) is a gambler looking out for himself. He's trying to dodge the draft by posing as his dead underling Joe Bascopolous. He's also trying to get his gambling boat running. He cons war relief Captain Veronica Steadman into organizing a charity casino but socialite Dorothy Bryant (Laraine Day) is suspicious.
Cary Grant starts as the heel but his charms are soon overwhelming. That's what the movie needs and that's what the audience gets. It's all about his charms. It makes it easier for Laraine Day and the viewer to fall for the con man. It also makes his conversion believable and satisfying. The other big point is that this is a wartime propaganda film. Even a selfish cad like Joe can be reformed to support the greater good.
Cary Grant starts as the heel but his charms are soon overwhelming. That's what the movie needs and that's what the audience gets. It's all about his charms. It makes it easier for Laraine Day and the viewer to fall for the con man. It also makes his conversion believable and satisfying. The other big point is that this is a wartime propaganda film. Even a selfish cad like Joe can be reformed to support the greater good.