It stars an ensemble cast, consisting of Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Marilyn Monroe, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray, and Mitzi Gaynor.

The father contacts Terence and Molly by telegram, and tells them the boys miss their parents and performing, but insist they have the capability to become leaders.

Eddie and talent agent Lew Harris also arrive at her dressing room where Vicky learns Tim is part of the Five Donahues.

The next morning, Vicky calls the Donahues informing them that Lew Harris is arranging a Broadway show starring her, and she wants Tim and Katy to join her.

Tim continues courting Vicky, but becomes angry when she arrives late for an evening dinner after disagreeing with a costume change with Lew Harris.

During her suspension, she married baseball star Joe DiMaggio and the two honeymooned in Japan, during which time she entertained American soldiers in Korea.

[15] Bosley Crowther of The New York Times called the film a "major success", in which he praised Donald O'Connor's performance in particular.

It is a delightful mixture of Irving Berlin's popular songs, intimate and spectacular production numbers, heartwarming comedy and human interest, adding up to a musical extravaganza that is one of the top entertainments of the year".

[17] Abel Green of Variety praised Ethel Merman as "a belter of a school of song stylists not to be found on every stage or before every mike" and Dan Dailey "an effective actor" with "polish and conviction."

"[18] Television host Ed Sullivan described Monroe's performance of the song "Heat Wave" as "one of the most flagrant violations of good taste" he had witnessed.

[19] A review in Time magazine called the film "an Irving Berlin potpourri, containing some good old sweetmeats along with a few fresh-picked sour apple."

Gaynor was noted as having "a finely machined set of ball bearings, becomingly encased, and Marilyn Monroe will undoubtedly singe the eyebrows off front-row patrons in her Heat Wave number, in which she bumps and grinds as expressively as the law will allow.

"[20] Edwin Schallert of the Los Angeles Times felt: "Those who like Miss Merman—and that will be New Yorkers or the New York-minded especially—will feel that this is one of her most sterling efforts, and that she and Dailey form a first-rate mature team.

The movie's release to the home video market in the early 1990s solved the problem of commercial interruptions and improved its profits and reputation considerably.

A DVD release in 2001 included letterboxing and 4-channel surround sound, thereby eliminating the bad aspect ratio and introducing the movie to younger generations.