The Major and the Minor (1942)

100% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(1,758 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Written By: Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1942 Limited
On DVD: Apr 22, 2008

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
A sparkling and effervescing piece of farce-comedy.
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.
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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The effervescent farce proved to be a classic comedy.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Full delectation
Jonathan Kiefer, Sacramento News & Review
If anybody could manage a fizzy romantic comedy of sexual repression in 1942, it was Billy Wilder, already with three screenwriting Oscar nominations under his belt and making his American directorial debut, with The Major and the Minor.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Early Billy Wilder comedy starring Ginger Rogers, Ray Milland.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Pretty irresistible, nevertheless, with Rogers doing a beautiful job of dovetailing sexual provocation and demure innocence.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Wilder's first film isn't his best, but it's an auspicious debut.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The Major and the Minor sails along breezily from its very first scenes until its romantic ending.
, Film4
A fine entertainment and proof that Billy Wilder had what it took from the very start of his career.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A very funny movie and an interesting story, but you really have to suspend your disbelief when it comes to mistaking Ginger Rogers for a pre-teen girl.
jay n

Something that could never be made today but coming from a more innocent time this is a sweet little comedy. Ginger is sly and funny as the masquerading lass, Ray Milland properly befuddled and Diana Lynn great as the wised up sister. All done with a light touch by Wilder.

Cast

            Ginger Rogers as Susan Applegate

            Ray Milland as Maj. Kirby

            Diana Lynn as Lucy Hill

            Robert Benchley as Mr. Osborne

            Rita Johnson as Pamela Hill

            Norma Varden as Mrs. Osborne

            Edward Fielding as Col. Hill

            Frankie Thomas as Cadet Osborne

            Raymond Roe as Cadet Wigton

            Charles Smith as Cadet Korner

            Larry Nunn as Cadet Babcock

            Billy Dawson as Cadet Miller

            Lela E. Rogers as Mrs. Applegate

            Aldrich Bowker as Rev. Doyle

            Boyd Irwin as Maj. Griscom

            Byron Shores as Cap. Durand

            Richard Fiske as Will Duffy

            Gretl Dupont as Mrs. Shackleford

            George Anderson as Man with Esquire Magazine

            Stanley Andrews as First Conductor

            Marie Blake as Bertha

            Dick Chandlee as Cadet

            Bill Clauson
            
            Ethel Clayton as Bit Woman

            Billy Cook
            
            Dell Henderson as Doorman

            Carlotta Jelm as Little Girl in Railroad Station

            Milt Kibbee as Station Agent

            Tom McGuire as News Vendor

            Freddie Mercer as Little Boy in Railroad Station

            William Newell as Ticket Agent

            Emory Parnell as Conductor

            Edward Peil Sr. as Stationmaster

            Archie Twitchell as Sergeant

            Guy Wilkerson as Farmer Truck Driver

            Will Wright as First Ticket Agent

            Mary Field as Mother in Railroad Station

            Dick Jones
            
            Tom Dugan as Deadbeat

            Alice Keating as Nurse

            Gloria Williams as Bit Woman

            John Bogden
            
            Ken Lundy as Elevator Boy

            David McKim as Cadet

            Donald Wilmot as Cadet

            Billy Ray as Cadet Summerville
See full cast