The Major and the Minor

Released Sep 16, 1942

1h 40m

Comedy

List

100%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

83%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Susan Applegate (Ginger Rogers) decides to leave New York City and take a train back to Iowa, but she has only enough money for a child's ticket. She disguises herself as a young girl and, after being discovered by the train conductor, hides out in the car of Major Kirby (Ray Milland). Kirby believes she is a child and watches after her. But as Kirby's fiancée (Rita Johnson) and others grow suspicious of Susan's ruse, her cleverness is thoroughly tested.

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Variety Staff

Variety

A sparkling and effervescing piece of farce-comedy.

Aug 14, 2007

Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

Pretty irresistible, nevertheless, with Rogers doing a beautiful job of dovetailing sexual provocation and demure innocence.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Aug 18, 2005

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

A comedy from Billy Wilder in which I spend quite a nice time with the romantic adventures of Ray Milland and Ginger Rogers. Full review in Spanish

Rated: 7/10

Apr 9, 2022

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Sure, she has her requisite moment to show off her dancing abilities, but what The Major and the Minor really showcases is Roger's dexterity for comedic timing.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 11, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Never mind that the 31-year-old Rogers never really looks 12 -- she's funny and frisky throughout.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 5, 2019

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Steve D

embarrassing for all involved.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Funny, feel good movie. Ginger Rodgers and Ray Milland, great chemistry.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

william d

The film's unlikely premise is never fulfilled. I couldn't buy Ginger Rogers as a 12 year old girl for a single minute, and that kept me from buying into the entire story.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An absolutely enchanting romance comedy with delightful chemistry between leads Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland. The film is as fun as it is funny, filled with charming moment and witty gags.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best comedy romance movie ever made! With the best movie quote ever spoken: "Why don't you get out of that wet coat and into a dry martini?"

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

kevin w

This early Billy Wilder romantic comedy has Rogers and Milland denying their attraction for one another because of their imagined age difference. It's cute more than funny, but an honest cute, and for that enjoyable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Billy Wilder

Director

Ginger Rogers

Susan Applegate

Ray Milland

Major Kirby

Rita Johnson

Pamela Hill

Robert Benchley

Mr. Osborne

Diana Lynn

Lucy Hill

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Synopsis

Susan Applegate (Ginger Rogers) decides to leave New York City and take a train back to Iowa, but she has only enough money for a child's ticket. She disguises herself as a young girl and, after being discovered by the train conductor, hides out in the car of Major Kirby (Ray Milland). Kirby believes she is a child and watches after her. But as Kirby's fiancée (Rita Johnson) and others grow suspicious of Susan's ruse, her cleverness is thoroughly tested.

Director: Billy Wilder
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 1942, Original
Release Date (DVD): Apr 22, 2008
Runtime: 1h 40m