This summer I sat down to view one of the most delightful movies I’ve ever seen in my life. The story itself is completely ridiculous and does not hold up well under inspection, but the charm of the cast and the wittiness of the script keeps things above the line.
“The Major and the Minor,” the directorial debut of legendary Billy Wilder’s long career is an unlikely and extremely entertaining romantic comedy.
Wilder would go on to earn recognition from critics for such works as “Double Indemnity,” “Sunset Boulevard” and “Some Like it Hot.”
Audiences, however, gave Wilder their appreciation with this Ginger Rogers star vehicle.
Wilder, who had been a popular screenwriter for some time, knew his first directing feature needed to be a hit, so he intentional decided to do a bankable comedy with a bankable actress. Rogers was at the height of her fame. She had recently broke from appearing in constant musicals with popular co-star Fred Astaire. She proved soon after she had the talent to manage on her own. With 1940s “Kitty Foyle,” she managed to take home an Oscar.
In addition to Wilder and Rogers, always dependable Ray Milland, who is best known for his sinister turn in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Dial M for Murder,” is the male lead. As a military officer, he plays charming as well as even the best Cary Grant performance.
The previously mentioned ridiculous story concerns a 20-something-year-old woman (Rogers) who dresses up as a 12-year-old in order to get the child fare on a passenger train. While on the train, she meets Milland’s character. Of course, she falls for him, but he doesn’t take notice of her, thinking she’s a child. It’s all very convoluted, but it plays much better than it sounds. In the end, you find yourself falling in love right along with the leads.
A lot could be said about Ginger Rogers’ skilled and adorable performance. While she is easily too old and too tall to physically fit the part she plays, she pulls it off with her irresistible personality. The movie is worth watching for her alone. Anyone who has not had the opportunity to see Rogers doing comedy needs to right that wrong. It’s truly a wonderful sight to see.
A fun trivia note: Rogers’ mother in the film is played by her real mother Lela E. Rogers, in her only screen appearance. She turns in a surprisingly enjoyable performance, especially for an amateur.
So, do yourself a major favor and seek out this deceptively minor film. You won’t regret it.
