Major and the Minor, The (1942)

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Susan (Ginger Rogers) disguises herself as 12-year-old "Su-Su" to take advantage of a child's train fare. She's found out by the conductors, but convinces a credulous Major Kirby (Ray Milland) to hide her in his cabin. Several misunderstandings later and he's ready to take her with him to his military academy.

It sounds like a classic screwball plot device, but it's hard to shake the feeling that it's not just a romantic comedy; it's a creepy paedophile romantic comedy. Susan's attempts at seducing Kirby find increasing (creepy!) success, while the schoolboys (creepy!) are just as eager in their attentions towards her. In all fairness, it's no Lolita, and its look at the politics of sex and age is almost (but not quite) wholly innocent.

That said, it's quite funny, albeit totally unbelievable. (Rogers doesn't look her age, but even ten years younger is eight years too old; she doesn't have the waifish look needed to pull off preadolescence.) It's worth a look.

- Sam - 2007-11-05 23:03:37