Der Major und das Mädchen (1942)
43KDer Major und das Mädchen: Directed by Billy Wilder. With Ginger Rogers, Ray Milland, Rita Johnson, Robert Benchley. A frustrated city girl disguises herself as a youngster in order to get a cheaper train ticket home. But little “Sue Sue” finds herself in a whole heap of grown-up trouble when she hides out in a compartment with a handsome Major.
“This classic screwball comedy marked Billy Wilderu0026#39;s directorial debut and in the Wilder canon itu0026#39;s largely been neglected but it remains a joy from start to finish with a great comic performance from that greatest of comediennes Ginger Rogers. Sheu0026#39;s a hard-boiled Hannah who has to pass for a 12 year old in order to get a half fare rail ticket, (you see, she doesnu0026#39;t have the money to buy an adult ticket). Itu0026#39;s utterly ridiculous which is why itu0026#39;s so funny; that and the fact that itu0026#39;s graced with a great Wilder and Brackett script. Ray Milland is also superb as the Major of the title that she latches onto and naturally falls for and thereu0026#39;s a terrific supporting cast that includes Robert Benchley, Diana Lynn and the underrated Rita Johnson. Of course, it lacks the cynicsm of Wilderu0026#39;s later work which in this case is all for the best.”
