Rent The Major and the Minor (1942)

Roleplay Comedy. - The Major and the Minor review by Steve

Despite the post-millennial popularity of age swap comedies which usually squeeze laughs out of inappropriate romantic scenarios, it's a solid bet that this screwball sitcom isn't going to get remade by modern day Hollywood. It stars Ginger Rogers as a small town girl who has seen enough of the toxic male of the big bad city and decides to go home.

She hasn't enough money for a train ticket and so dresses as a 12 year old girl to qualify for half fare. Then falls in love with an army officer (Ray Milland) with bad eyesight. When taken back to his cadet school, the adult imposter becomes the target of all the schoolboy lotharios.

Though arguably the premise lacks judgement, it is delivered in good faith. There's none of Billy Wilder's trademark cynicism. Indeed, the Wilder/Brackett screenplay is critical of the sexual harassment it assumes is the female burden. There is a plenty of comic craft with some big laughs, and satirical points made too. Plus the pro-war propaganda.

A 31 year old Ginger Rogers could more easily pass for middle aged than pre-adolescent... but it would be creepy otherwise. Ray Milland is likably befuddled in a role quite obviously written for Cary Grant. Diana Lynn is fun as a teenage brainiac. Wilder's debut was a big hit, though maybe it hasn't lasted as well as his many other classics.