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The Major and the Minor Overview:

The Major and the Minor (1942) was a Comedy - Romance Film directed by Billy Wilder and produced by King Vidor.

SYNOPSIS

After writing some of the wittiest scripts of the 1930s, Wilder was finally given the opportunity by Paramount to direct this comedy about a destitute New York career woman (Rogers) who decides to return to Iowa at reduced train fare by masquerading as a 12-year-old. On her journey, she meets the dignified, proper Milland, the commander of a military school, who takes it upon himself to see to her welfare. The predictable misunderstandings ensue as Rogers falls in love with Milland while the cadets start making passes at the new visitor. Very popular when released, it's interesting to view now in light of its Lolita-like subtext, of which Wilder was certainly more than aware. An adaptation of Fannie Kilbourne's short story "Sunny Goes Home."

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

The Major and the Minor BlogHub Articles:

The Major and The Minor (1942) and The Taking of Sudan

By 4 Star Film Fan on Feb 8, 2021 From 4 Star Films

Billy Wilder obviously got his start in screenwriting but much like Preston Sturges before him, he desperately wanted creative control to sculpt the vision of the meticulous scripts he helped forge with writing partner (and producer) Charles Brackett. He got his breakout chance with The Major and Th... Read full article

Screening of "The Major and The Minor February 9 at the Daystar Center

By Stephen Reginald on Feb 7, 2019 From Classic Movie Man

Screening of "The Major and The Minor February 9 at the Daystar Center The Major and The Minor (1941) Where: Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Room 102 When: February 9, 2018 Time: 6:45 p.m Hosted by Stephen Reginald The Major and the Minor (1942) stars Ginger Rogers as Susan Applegate, a... Read full article

Ginger Rogers Grows Younger: The Major and The Minor

By Virginie Pronovost on Jul 24, 2018 From The Wonderful World of Cinema

The enthusiast Michaela from Love Letters to Old Hollywood and Crystal from In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood are hosting together an event celebrating one of the most iconic on-screen duos to mark the history of classic films: The Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Blogathon. This dancing duo... Read full article

The Major and the Minor (1942)

By Cameron on Oct 19, 2015 From The Blonde At The Film

via: http://www.listal.com/viewimage/170643  Unless otherwise noted, all images are my own. “Nobody thinks much of it when little girls use mama’s clothes to play dress-up. But when a full-grown young lady dons a kid’s clothes to play a little girl, it makes a delightful idea for ... Read full article

The Major and the Minor (1942)

By Cameron on Oct 19, 2015 From The Blonde At The Film

via: http://www.listal.com/viewimage/170643  Unless otherwise noted, all images are my own. “Nobody thinks much of it when little girls use mama’s clothes to play dress-up. But when a full-grown young lady dons a kid’s clothes to play a little girl, it makes a delightful idea for ... Read full article

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The Major and the Minor Quotes:

First Conductor: If you're Swedish, suppose you say something in Swedish.
Susan Applegate: I vant to be alone.
Susan Applegate: You should be very glad I'm not 12. I was a very straightforward child. I used to spit.
Mr. Osborne: Why don't you get out of that wet coat and into a dry martini?
Maj. Philip Kirby: You know Su-Su, you're a very peculiar child.
Susan Applegate: You bet I am.
Susan Applegate: You know, General Wallace owes me 51 cents.
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The Major and the Minor Facts
One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie onMay 31, 1943 with Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland reprising their film roles.
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on September 6, 1943 with Diana Lynn reprising her film role.
When 'Susu' is asked by the 2 train conductors to prove she's of 'Swedish stock' by saying something 'Swedish,' she replies; 'I want to be alone,' parodying the line Greta Garbo was believed to have once said, which itself was parodied in Billy Wilder's NINOTCHKA, with Greta Garbo.
It was decided to include scenes of Susan's (Ginger Rogers's) mother. Spring Byington was the first choice but was appearing in another film. Rogers suggested her real mother Lela E. Rogers, who got the role.
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