[4] The film traces the progress of three Marines on shore leave in San Francisco during World War II.

One of the men, Nico, is a seasoned, decorated platoon sergeant; the second, Frankie, is a perennial goof-off, who drinks too much; and the third, Alan, is an intellectual from a wealthy family.

After finding out that the newlyweds had hoped to spend their wedding night at the hotel, but found that it was booked, Alan gives them the key to the suite, much to Frankie's protest, and has the staff charge all expenses to his family's account.

Kalai continues to work at the hospital where she learns that Sue was admitted after she tried to commit suicide after being assaulted by one of her lovers.

Kalai visits her in an attempt to provide comfort, but Sue dies of shock from severe alcohol withdrawal.

The war ends and Alan returns and becomes a professor at the local university, with his father's blessing, and happily reunites with Kalai.

Frankie, now promoted to sergeant, brings Nico's last love letter home to Andrea and their son who is now a young boy.

It was one of a number of war novels bought by Fox at the time, including The Young Lions, The Hunters and The Enemy Below.

[12] On his comedy album 1960 or Look Forward In Anger, Sahl said he wrote 16 pages of dialogue for his character and the other Marines but most of the material was edited from the final print.

Wald signed Sahl on to a personal contract with the intention of casting him as a beatnik in The Best of Everything (1959)[13] The film had its premiere in San Diego on October 28, 1958, and then opened in 600 theaters.