Greetings from VKMfanHuey!!!

Welcome to the Gingerology blog for the 1942 Paramount film, The Major and the Minor!!!

Ginger ...

Please note the 'menu' above, which has various information regarding the film; to the right (just below the Gingerology link) there are additional links regarding the film.

Please feel free to leave a comment with any general info, links, pics, or just to say hi!

...And be sure to check out our 'main' site, Gingerology - just click on the Ginger pic to the right. There you'll find a list of ALL of Ginger Rogers' films; click on any one, and you will be directed to a 'dedicated' blog about that film (not unlike this blog).

Keep It Gingery, y'all!

VKMfanHuey

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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Archive Post #2 - from MovieFanFare - originally posted August 3, 2011 - Guest Review of TMATM...

Guest blogger Brandie Ashe presents a look at 1942′s The Major and the Minor, starring Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland:

The film is a must-see, if only for the slightly disturbing sexual undertones that inevitably make the uninitiated viewer squirm the slightest bit. Setting pedophilia nuances aside, however, this picture is an utter delight from start to finish, held together by Billy Wilder’s witty script and Rogers’ canny comedic performance.
There are some people who only associate Ginger Rogers with dancing partner extraordinaire Fred Astaire, and that does Ms. Rogers a great disservice. Though I love the Astaire-Rogers pairings as much as the next film fan, and though I appreciate her Oscar-winning work in the sentimental melodrama Kitty Foyle (1940), I think Rogers’ strongest work comes from her “solo” work as a comedienne. Just see her turn as a wisecracking wannabe stage actress in 1937′s Stage Door (where she more than holds her own with the likes of Katharine Hepburn and Lucille Ball), or as the dance hall girl who marries staid professor Jimmy Stewart in 1938′s screwball comedy Vivacious Lady (also featuring one of the most hilarious cat-fights ever captured on film), or as the harried single store clerk-turned-overnight-adoptive-mother in 1939′s Bachelor Mother.

And The Major and the Minor provides Ginger with perhaps the best comedic role of her career, as 39-year-old Rogers plays Susan Applegate, a woman who dresses up as a 12-year-old girl in order to score a half-priced train ticket back home.
Forget that the disguise is completely unbelievable; the joy of this film comes from Rogers’ deft ability to make you laugh while shaking your head at the incongruity of a “preteen” with a penchant for cigarettes, martinis, and attractive “older” men in uniform. And Milland meets her step for step as the clueless “straight man,” a military school teacher who longs to join the active front and takes little “Su-Su” under his wing. The two leads play their roles without an ounce of irony, preventing the material from sliding into lasciviousness, and the ending, though predictable, has an un-cynical sweetness about it that is wonderful to watch.
Perhaps the film’s most notable footnote in cinematic history is its importance in the career of its director. The Major and the Minor marks Billy Wilder’s directorial debut, and he co-wrote the screenplay (based on the play Connie Goes Home by Edward Carpenter). Beginning with this film and continuing through Double Indemnity (1944) and The Lost Weekend (1945), Wilder rivaled Preston Sturges as the premier writer/director of the 1940s. But Wilder’s career would go on to last much longer than that of Sturges, highlighted over the next two decades by such classics as Sunset Boulevard (1950), Sabrina (1954), Some Like It Hot (1959), and The Apartment (1960).The Major and the Minor starring Ginger Rogers
In The Major and the Minor, you can see the hallmarks of Wilder’s directing style taking root. He eschewed flash and grandiose cinematography in favor of highlighting the nuances of story and dialogue, and his work became more about the performance than the visual effects. It’s no wonder that actors like Jack Lemmon clamored to work with Wilder repeatedly, and that he would become the second-most nominated director, behind William Wyler, in Academy Awards history (and he won two, for 1945′s The Lost Weekend–which also brought a Best Actor award for Milland–and 1960′s The Apartment).
Brandie Ashe is a freelance writer and editor from Alabama. Brandie and her co-authors Carrie and Nikki run True Classics: The ABCs of Classic Film, where they share their love of Alfred Hitchcock, screwball comedies, Katharine Hepburn, and all things old-school Disney. Visit their Facebook page here.


    Ginger Rogers was one of the pretiest and excellent actress of her time but is more now that she is appreciated more than Fred's dancing partner, and even that she was his best! I love Ginger and all her films.
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    ...Great review, y'all! Cool to see a fellow Alabamian on the classic blogosphere!
    This film is one of Ginger's top 5, for sure... love it when Ginger's real-life mom, Lela Rogers, plays...well, her mom! The 'outtakes' from those scenes were probably hilarious!
    There's so many great scenes in this one...and while it's hard to imagine Ginger (31 at the time) as a 12 year old, I think Marjorie above nails it, as the Major is the only one who really can't 'see' well enough to notice... and the ending is perhaps my fave of all Ginger films.
    Thanks for the review!
    Not sure if this is ok to do, but for all things Ginger, please stop by at Gingerology.com!
    KIG!
    VKMfanHuey
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    Ginger was so great that it seems to be that even today some actresses-Jennifer Aniston comes to mind -seem to be channeling her,though not with the original's success rate.Fred was lucky to be paired with her because it was Ginger who had the personality.I still search TCM for any of her old films that I haven't seen,ruing the day when I have seen them all.
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    Love Ginger. One of my very favorites is 'Roxie', the story that became the big hit 'Chicago'. Ginger is great in that one.
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    I love "The Major and the Minor". Ginger Rogers does it all well. Billy Wilder's first directed movie and he got Ginger who was really hot right after winning an Oscar. Everything in this movie is funny and I love the dialogue.
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    Cute, cute movie. Ginger was so versatile and proved to be a great actress as well as great dancer. One of my favorites was "Once Upon a Honeymoon" with Cary Grant and Walter Slezak.
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    Actually this wonderful film was made in 1941 before the start of WWII and not released until after we got into the war. There are references about us getting involved in the film. Ginger was 29 when she made this film and said it was one of her favorites because she didn't have to wear so much makeup. One of the funniest parts is the girls the cadets use as women from Miss Shackleford's school and their tribute to Veronica Lake. The double standards of the day are evident in this film but it's such a sweet story and very beguiling. And of course Su Su wins her hero in the end. One of my favorites too and on a rainy day there's nothing better then a glass of milk/coffe and The Major and the Minor.
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    While Ginger didn't look 12 through the whole movie, I still love the transformation scene when she comes out of the train station rest rooms walking pigeon toed and swipes the little kid's balloon.
    It should be noted that the only person she fooled before Ray Milland vouched for her was the Major, and The Major has vision issues. If someone you know says "this is my niece" and you think "hmmm, she looks a little old for 12" you don't say "what a load of hooey!" because you figure they'd know their own niece... so you chalk it up to her being one of those kids that grows faster.
    Also unlike a real girl trying to pass as a 12 year old, Ginger was the pretty female lead in a movie, made up and groomed to be 12-ish looking some of the time but always the beautiful starlet underneath.
    FYI - Sue-sue didn't convince the Major to go fight, he was already exercising his eye because it galled him to have been rejected. It was his fiance that wanted to keep him home, by any means necessary.
    And I for one enjoyed the cadets turning the Maginal Line into a line...
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    ......pardon the false message ending... (as I do with my friends). There are several major chain retailers who sell new and previously viewed DVD's for $2.50-$7.00. It's worth the effort.
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    Too often I have been disappointed to find that DVD's have been discontinued, when I have the desire to add them to my collection. But I've been able to find some gems (including this one) in some of the DVD bins at discount stores. I found most of my Bogart/Bacall, Clint Eastwood, and John Wayne copies at these stores. There were films like Mutiny on the Bounty, with Clark Gable, The Maltese Falcon, Lassie Come Home & many others. Dig deep and often. They seem to be available in spurts with long waits between availability, but the waits are worthwhile. Get together with friends who will call you (as I do others
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    Major and the Minor is a great Ginger Rodgers film,
    and I think she actually brought out the best in Milland as his co-star in this movie. And sometimes it even appears as if she shrinks in age as she does her little girl act.
    But, I think Vivacious Lady has got to be her crowning moment in comedy. She is so dam funny in that movie, especially during the cat fight scene on the balcony. I urge anyone who hasn't seen it to look for it on TCM. You won't regret it.
    Btw, Ginger Rogers and Lucille Ball were related to each other.
    Wilder is in my top 3 favorite directors. It's a shame the movie industry turned on him in his later years and he found it hard to get work. We would have had quite a few more of his films to enjoy.
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    No matter how you slice it, there is some FUNNY stuff in this film:
    He (leaving their compartment for the dining car): would you like me to bring you back anything?
    She (groggily): Just coffee. (Remembers she's supposed to be 12): I, I mean a glass of milk with a few drops of coffee in it! Mom always called it coffee!
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    Wilder hit a home run with his first directorial effort. In an interview Wilder talked about how Ray Milland who was a big star on the Paramount lot at that time agreed to do the film to help the first time director out. Ginger Rogers is great even though she hardly looks 12 years old, but that's part of the fun. Diana Lynn who also worked with Preston Sturges is terrific as well. And Ginger's real mom plays her mother. A great comedy that still holds up today.
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    You left out a very good movie with Ginger Rogers. She played the First Lady, Dolly Madison. The name of the movie is Magnificent Doll. Burgess Merideth played President Madison. Ginger played Dolly Madison. Good movie.
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    Actually Ginger was born in 1911 and would have been 31 in 1942.
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    Actually the Major and the Minor is available on DVD at Amazon.com and TCM.com
    Never Too Young is available on DVD but it is in a $150 box set from Paramount.
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    One spooky aspect of the film is its timing. In it, Ginger Rogers' character persuades the leading man, an army officer, to do the right thing and get himself assigned overseas. The assignment is in the Phillipines, right before World War 2 broke out. I wonder if his character was forced to surrender, or, like my uncle, faded into the jungle and fought as a guerilla until liberation.
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    A gem of a film with Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland perfectly suited for their roles. Musis plays a big role too. Favorite scene and there are many, Ginger convincing cadet to leave switchboard unmanned. It's fun from start to finish!
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    Actually technically Wilder's debut is Mauvaise graine (1934) (available on Kino) where he is co-director though some (Danielle Darrieux) have stated that he was the main director on it.
    I liked this movie though I'm not sure I would put it as a must see with Wilder's mass amount of great films that you mention (I would add Stalag 17 as well).
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    A lot of older films aren't available on DVD. It's often very frustrating.
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    You're right, Blair. The story was revamped for Martin and Lewis in 1955 as You're Never Too Young. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you're a Ginger Rogers fan), it's not currently available on DVD.
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    Didn't Dean and Jerry do a re-make of this film? What was it called...?

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Archive Post #1 - from Gingerology - originally posted December 30, 2010

Ginger Rogers Blogspot...

...for Clarissa! AND, as she so wisely brings up, the title above hopefully throws Gingerology into the mix when a Google Search is performed on VKM! Thanks for the suggestion, CS! I have Googled 'Ginger Rogers' and 'Gingerology' a few times, and you are correct in that G-ology strangely enough does not appear right off...I am not trying to be the 'big dawg' here or anything, but would REALLY just like to see more folks interested in Ginger to visit the site...

...NOW, for SassyGinger! AND PinkGinger! The question from PG was, "What color was Ginger's (well, Susan Applegate's) 'after the ball' dress in Major and the Minor?" The answer (via photo) from SG is...well, see below!

...so, hope this answers it properly! Although, there ARE a few pics of her in this dress shown 'colored' in green - which DOES look pretty awesome as well! Again, see below!

...ok - one more 'topic', while I am thinking about it...to two of our newest Gingerologists, PinkGinger and princesskay... both of y'all have set up awesome websites which are VERY Gingery! AWESOME!!! But...(seems like I always have a big but...) - I cannot figure out how to 'comment' on posts of either site... now, it may well be that y'all don't wish to HAVE anyone comment, which is totally fine... but just wondering if I am missing a 'magic button' somewhere to allow commenting... any info would be MOST helpful and VERY much appreciated! Bottom line, I'm a comment junkie!!! :-}

OK - well, as 2010 is about to give way to 2011, and all of us here at G-ology hope all of y'all have a simply BEGUILING New Year's celebration!!! This will most likely be the final G-ology post for 2010, so... see y'all next year! Remember, it's Ginger's 100th in 2011, so it's gonna be GREAT!!!

KIG!!! - and also FUN, and SAFE this weekend, y'all!!!

Sincerely,
VKMfanHuey
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17 comments:

  1. It worked in a way.

    Ginger Rogers Blogspot gets you to page 3 in Google results. On top of page 1 you get that way now:
    "Ginger Rogers Blogspot"

    It is easier with Jean, because Ginger is much more popular. And it's easier still with Loyce Whiteman, because she's almost unknown today (I tagged her once and got to the top in things Loyce at once). On WordPress Ginger still tops the search terms. Can't put an end to it yet, because I have no Jean films from 1934. At least I saw a few people click over to Gingerology and that's just fine.

    This here was absolutely on top...
    http://screwballcinema/blogspot.com
    ... before I started my headlining policy 3 weeks ago. You see, there's nothing but embedded youtube, a headline and the comment "monty, that was too cute." GOSH was I mad! - Not mad at Monty, I just began to hate Google and asked myself: "Is this engine just ignorant or stupid?!"

    I see you didn't beat HOLLYWOOD DREAMLAND yet. I think this is still possible, for I already beat it in things Jean. Although Dexter's articles are swell and I would consider it okay if he was ahead of me (but not screwballcinema, because there's no content at all!).

    Another point: My new policy caused that I get more clicks on articles on Jean's films and there are less clicks on Ginger's films. I guess Google sees me as a Jean Arthur institution now (as I always wanted).

    The post "Jean Arthur - These Are All the Articles on Jean" really worked out. I typed it on the train on December 23 (on the way to my family): Even more Jean clicks since then. Yes people have all links to my articles on Jean's films on one page - and my most popular articles are above. And Jean's full name is in the headline again.

    One can do a lot to navigate in the right direction.
     
  2. Ginger Rogers Blogspot
    ...gets you to page 3 in Google results now.
    "Ginger Rogers Blogspot"
    ...on top of page 1.

    So it worked. But I think it's easier to get through with Jean, because she's less popular. And it's very easy with Loyce Whiteman, because she's almost forgotten.

    Before I began to change it, this one was on top:
    http://screwballcinema/blogspot.com
    Gosh, was I mad at Google, asking me "is this just ignorance or stupidity?!"

    I see you didn't beat Hollywood Dreamland yet. You see, it is possible - I beat him in things Jean too. Although I wouldn't mind if he still was ahead of me, because his stuff is really swell. But not that certain screwballcinema page, because there is no content at all: Just youtube embedded, headline and a lazy comment: "monty, that was too cute" (even too lazy to write Monty with capital M).

    Well, Monty is a nice guy - he's really okay. It's just our own fault if our headlining is obscure.
     
  3. Here he is really great...
    http://screwballcinema.blogspot.com/the-more-merrier
    ...but you know, the headline.

    Monty writes really fairly, I like it very much. Of course his headline is okay, just naming that movie.

    Anyway he likes screwball and that certainly makes him a pal.
     
  4. Never heard of this flicker...
    http://screwballcinema.blogspot.com/ginger-rogers...
    ...but certainly found it in the book now.
     
  5. Yeah, Huey I do want people to comment! I'm still trying to figure out how to get this thing to work. If you click on the thing on the bottom where it says 0 comments I think that's how you can comment. If not...well I'll try to do some work on it!
     
  6. From "Carole & Co.", best wishes for a wonderful 2011 -- and for Rogers (and Harlow) fans, may you experience the centenary joy we Lombardians felt in 2008. To classic Hollywood forever!
     
  7. "I do want people to comment! I'm still trying to figure out how to get this thing to work."

    If you won't get it to work just give me a warning on my blog. I'm a quite systematic girl and we'll get it done soon.
     
  8. Clarissa -- That screwball website is neat. Among other things there are some awesome pictures of Myrna Loy on it.

    Sassy -- You never cease to amaze. I'm still trying to decide if I like the gold/tan? or green colored dress better. I think maybe the gold.

    Huey -- Thanks for the fun and entertainment in 2010. I hope Clarissa's tip brings you even more viewers in 2011 to celebrate Ginger's 100th. If only Roberta would report in.

    Happy New Year to all!
     
  9. Happy New Year, Huey! I plan to be back more often in 2011. You've got a great blog - and such a fun group of followers!

    A note to Pink Ginger - I noticed that your comment field says something like: "Only members of this blog may comment" I think that all you need to do to fix it is go to your "Settings" - then click on the Comments tab. The second question is: "Who Can Comment?" You must have checked off "Only Members of This Blog." If you change it to the first option - "Anyone" - we can all start commenting! Hope that helps.
     
  10. Thanks, Sarsaparilla! I think I've finally got it to work! Now you guys can comment to your heart's desire.;)
     
  11. Where in the world did you find the photo of that dress? I love seeing the actual items the stars wore and wish more of Ginger's had been saved. But while I do like seeing the real thing, I do think the doctored green dress looks smashing with her dark hair. :)
     
  12. CS: Thanks for the 'Google test' report - again, would be nice to at least be in the 'mix' when someone does a general Ginger search... and that IS a cool blog on screwballs... really my fave genre (well, 'Ginger' is my FAV genre, of course...) I watched a few Marx Bros movies on TCM during the 'marathon' on New Year's Eve... yeah, they are kinda goofy, but that usually transforms to pretty funny if you watch it long enough, and especially after 10 PM or so...

    PG: Good deal about the comments! I will jump over there ASAP! Ya KNOW I have to throw my 2 cents in regarding ANYTHING Gingery!!! :-]

    VP: Thanks for the kind words! Should be a pretty cool year, 'classic-wise'! Looking forward to it! It's always a weird 'connection' to me for Ginger and Harlow... both born in 1911, but tragically Jean died so early, in '37 - when Ginger was really 'taking off'... and later in Ginger's life, she played Harlow's 'Mama Jean' -although NOT a good movie by any stretch, still interesting role that 'connects' the two. 'Lombardians'...love it! you can put me down as one of those as well.. love Carole!!! :-]

    Fioraon - Thanks for the kind words! I will ONE day add some new stuff to the site...I have been saying that for a GOOD while now - need to DO it!!! and yes, if there was one 'interview' or whatever I would like, it would be with Ms. Olden... maybe, just maybe, I can contact her... she MAY read here, who knows? I like to think she does...

    Susan: Thanks for the kind words! SO glad you are here, and your blog is great!!! You know, I 'follow' quite a few, shall we say, 'female-oriented' blogs, and ya know? I have learned some valuable stuff over the last year regarding ladies! And y'all know full well dudes need all the info they can get regarding understanding the VERY fairer gender!! :-) So thanks to you, Susan, and many other 'lady bloggers' out there - ya know who you are!!!

    Betsy: Well, SassyGinger actually found that one... I just 'posted' it here for the benefit of PinkGinger... I am here as the official 'GingerMediator'! And yes, the green is devastating to me... it's my favorite color, and it WORKS for Ginger, be it blonde or brunette era!

    Well, thanks, all - hope everyone has a VERY Gingery 2011 - Ginger's Hundreth Year!!! And I REALLY hope to get some new stuff rolling on here...SOON!

    KIG, Y'all!
    VKMfanHuey
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  13. Happy Ginger's Centennial Year :-) i know its early but does anyone have any plans for july 16th?
     
  14. FandGmad: Hi! Welcome to G-ology! And yes, there are definitely plans afoot for 07/16/11!!! I am most likely going to post something tonight about it... it's just been pretty busy getting back into the 'work swing' of things after the holidays!
    Thanks for commenting - oh, have you joined as a 'follower'? it appears so - but I can't find your name on the 'followers' area...but if so, thanks for joining up- and looking forward to chatting with you!!!

    KIG!

    VKMfanHuey
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  15. Did anyone see the Cary Grant photo on Zoe's blog? I felt at once this must have been the kind of Cary, Ginger liked so much. Very pleasant.

    So now I can really imagine how they were fooling around together, having lots of fun. :)
     
  16. I always wanted that dress to be light blue.
     
  17. CS: Well, Cary had his chances...dang it! That would have made a pretty awesome Hollywood couple...guess they would have made more movies together...which reminds me...I was watching part of the 'Philadelphia Story', and, although it's real hard to picture anyone other than Kate, wel...y'all KNOW I can place Ginger anywhere, anytime...and how cool would it have been for her to be starring with Cary AND Jimmy? Well, like ya say, tho, hopefully Gin and Cary had a great friendship / relationship / whatever...

    Lauren: Hiya! Great to hear from you, Beeje! hope you had a great holiday season!
    Yes, I think I always envision any dress which isn't obviously black or white as being some shade of blue...the 'grayscale' deal, most likely...as shades of gray tend to lean towards blue, especially in the older movies - I was watching one the other day, and a particular scene which was at 'night', had a MAJOR 'blue hue' to it - then the next scene was pure B/W... kinda weird.
    Hey - hope everything is going well in Westwood... keep me posted!