I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Claiming to be 35 years old (but looking more like 55), frothy "Oscar"-winning comedy writer Dick Powell (as Mark Christopher) is startled by a Christmas Eve present - it's nubile 17-year-old Debbie Reynolds (as Susan Landis). Nice to know this sort of thing can happen in Hollywood. As it turns out, vice police are responding to Mr. Powell's desire to write a dramatic story about teenage delinquency. Recently picked up with alcohol and a sailor, Ms. Reynolds is delivered to provide Powell with material for his story. Besides, the police don't want to arrest Reynolds on Christmas. Strange as it may sound, this Technicolor film unashamedly plays out as a leering countdown to sex between the older writer and his underage ward.**** Susan Slept Here (7/14/54) Frank Tashlin ~ Dick Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Anne Francis, Alvy Moore

This is a favorite Holiday movie of mine, as a result I never miss playing it on Christmas Eve. It is sweet, and charming, even though there is a age gap between Powell and Reynolds. That is no stumbling block however to the story of the teen who is "given" to Powell for the Holiday, so she won't have to spend the day in jail. Powell who was about 50 at the time, still looks great and her falling in love with this man is truly believable. He is reluctant to let her go to the juvenile hall, and tells his lawyer he could marry her. She overhears the plot and tells him no. He runs after her and takes her to Vegas for a quickie marriage. He goes to the mountains so as not to consummate the marriage, and get an annulment later. He leaves her with his best friend and by error his lawyer thinks she is pregnant. But by who? He hasn't even been there. He is furious, and confronts the friend and asks her to sign the papers. It is only after she tells him that she loves pickles and strawberries for breakfast does he realize his mistake. It is a glorious romp with Powell so confused and Debbie so persistent that you will love the ride. Highly recommended piece of holiday candy.

Susan Slept Here turned out to be Dick Powell's swan song as a performer on the big screen. Of course he directed some more films and appeared frequently on television until he died. It's a pity he didn't go out with his performance in The Bad and the Beautiful.Frank Tashlin has done so many better films, I'm still not sure whatever possessed him to do this one. The premise is absolutely laughable. Dick Powell is a screenwriter who's looking to do more serious stuff than the fluff he's been writing. He had an idea for a film on juvenile delinquency so two friendly cops in Herb Vigran and Horace McMahon deposit 17 year old Debbie Reynolds on his doorstep. She's not a really bad kid and they don't want to put her in the system. So they give her to Dick Powell at Christmas time.I mean is there anyone out there who doesn't see a problem? The term jailbait comes immediately to mind. Additionally Powell has a girlfriend, the young and sexy Anne Francis. Why Debbie Reynolds is any competition here is beyond me.Susan Slept Here got one Oscar nomination. The song Hold My Hand, sung by Don Cornell in the background, was nominated for best song, but lost to Secret Love. Powell and Reynolds do have some funny moments together and Alvy Moore as Powell's factotum and Les Tremayne as his lawyer also get a few laughs. But it's not enough.

This is a cute little movie for those interested in the films of the 1950s. There is a little bit of comedy, a little bit of Christmas cheer, and a little bit of gorgeous color. You also get a romance between an older man and younger girl that ends up as "happily ever after." There is something in it for just about anyone. The age difference between the principle characters is typical of films of the era which was one that was full of May-December romance movies and couplings. SABRINA, LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON, and many others come to mind. The age difference between the characters would be controversial today. However, you have to remember that watching an older film is viewing the societal mores of another era. It WAS another era and they followed different guidelines of acceptability.