The Major and the Minor (1942)
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100% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
84% of users liked it
(1,809 ratings)
A woman's attempt to disguise herself as an underage girl mushrooms into a series of humorous deceptions in this romantic comedy. Ginger Rogers stars as Susan Applegate, a young woman living in New York who, nearly broke and sick of the city, decides to head home to Iowa. Lacking the money for a… More A woman's attempt to disguise herself as an underage girl mushrooms into a series of humorous deceptions in this romantic comedy. Ginger Rogers stars as Susan Applegate, a young woman living in New York who, nearly broke and sick of the city, decides to head home to Iowa. Lacking the money for a regular ticket, she pretends to be an unusually tall 11-year old girl named Sue-Sue in order to pay half-price. The train conductors catch on to her scheme, however, forcing her to take refuge in the car of Major Philip Kirby (Ray Milland). The kindly major virtually adopts the "lost little girl," and circumstances force Susan to play along and accompany him to the local military academy. There the fun begins, as she struggles to deal with the unwelcome romantic attentions of countless young cadets and her own increasing attraction to the engaged Major Kirby. The Major and the Minor was the first Hollywood feature helmed by the legendary Billy Wilder. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Directed By
- Billy Wilder
- Written By
- Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett
- Genres
- Drama, Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1942 Limited
- On DVD
- Apr 22, 2008
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
A sparkling and effervescing piece of farce-comedy.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Pretty irresistible, nevertheless, with Rogers doing a beautiful job of dovetailing sexual provocation and demure innocence.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Miss Rogers and Mr. Milland have played it with spirit and taste. Never once does either permit the suggestion of a leer to creep in.
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Don Druker, Chicago Reader
The Wilder ironies and favorite themes--sexual deception, innuendo, the power of words to slice up and serve a character -- are all present in abundance.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The effervescent farce proved to be a classic comedy.
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Cast
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Ginger Rogers
as Susan Applegate
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Ray Milland
as Maj. Kirby
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Diana Lynn
as Lucy Hill
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Robert Benchley
as Mr. Osborne
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Rita Johnson
as Pamela Hill
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Norma Varden
as Mrs. Osborne
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Edward Fielding
as Col. Hill
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Frankie Thomas
as Cadet Osborne
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Raymond Roe
as Cadet Wigton
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Charles Smith
as Cadet Korner
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Larry Nunn
as Cadet Babcock
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Billy Dawson
as Cadet Miller
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Lela E. Rogers
as Mrs. Applegate
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Aldrich Bowker
as Rev. Doyle
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Boyd Irwin
as Maj. Griscom
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Byron Shores
as Cap. Durand
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Richard Fiske
as Will Duffy
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Gretl Dupont
as Mrs. Shackleford
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George Anderson
as Man with Esquire Magazine
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Stanley Andrews
as First Conductor
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Marie Blake
as Bertha
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Dick Chandlee
as Cadet
- Bill Clauson
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Ethel Clayton
as Bit Woman
- Billy Cook
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Dell Henderson
as Doorman
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Carlotta Jelm
as Little Girl in Railroad Station
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Milt Kibbee
as Station Agent
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Tom McGuire
as News Vendor
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Freddie Mercer
as Little Boy in Railroad Station
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William Newell
as Ticket Agent
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Emory Parnell
as Conductor
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Edward Peil Sr.
as Stationmaster
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Archie Twitchell
as Sergeant
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Guy Wilkerson
as Farmer Truck Driver
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Will Wright
as First Ticket Agent
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Mary Field
as Mother in Railroad Station
- Dick Jones
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Tom Dugan
as Deadbeat
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Alice Keating
as Nurse
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Gloria Williams
as Bit Woman
- John Bogden
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Ken Lundy
as Elevator Boy
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David McKim
as Cadet
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Donald Wilmot
as Cadet
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Billy Ray
as Cadet Summerville
