One would shudder to think of Grounds for Marriage in hands of stars other than those of Van Johnson and Kathryn Grayson. It's a bit tempting to go ahead and shudder even with the film in their hands, because the truth of the matter is that Grounds is quite a bit of to do about something very similar to nothing, even with these pleasant performers around to distract the viewer from the silliness of its plot. With lesser stars, one might find one's attention drawn to the actual plot and might begin to wonder about whether it's really a good thing that the two leading characters should be getting back together, and what it says about one person exerting too much of a hold over another. Fortunately, Johnson and Grayson keep distracting most viewers from these matters, as they wonder exactly how he manages to get his face twisted into such expressions and how she manages to hit those notes so beautifully yet effortlessly. Neither actor is turning in what is actually called a great performance, but they're doing something more important -- letting their pleasing personalities wash over the audience and sweep them along with them. They're aided in this not only by solid support from Paula Raymond and Barry Sullivan but by the smooth and manipulative direction of Robert Z. Leonard. An added bonus are some fine musical numbers (with a crazy dream sequence), as well as the off-kilter musical antics of the "Firehouse Five Plus Two." It doesn't amount to a great film when all is said and done, but it does manage to keep one amused for an hour and a half.
