The Girl He Left Behind is a 1956 American romantic comedy film starring Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood.

[3] Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood had appeared in The Burning Hills together, and Warner Bros. was keen to build them into an on-screen team.

[6] Tab Hunter recalled, "David Butler was more of a traffic cop than a director, keeping us on time, under budget, and thoroughly uninspired.

The most memorable thing about the film was the supporting cast, brimming with more fresh talent: James Garner, David Janssen, Alan King, Henry Jones, and Murray Hamilton — all destined for long careers.

She was maturing as a woman and an actress, and while her mother drilled her to never bite the hand that fed her... she privately groused about being stuck in such a tiny, lame role, unworthy of an Oscar nominee.

"[8] Variety said "Film, with sometimes serious overtones, is mainly episodic and smacks of the service comedies turned out during World War II, but provides entertaining fare for the youthful and family trade.