Word: ginger
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...Ginger Rogers throws her size, hairdo, and makeup about quite indiscriminately in her latest movie success, "The Major and the Minor." It is her really major coming-out since her Academy Award, and although the plot will prevent any such reward this time, her acting and a set of fast-moving lines even tops her earlier performances...
Unfortunately, it is the story of this ace-high comedy which has been continually discussed: how Ginger has to get back home to Stevenson, Iowa, and fakes her age for a half-fare ticket, is caught by the conductor, takes Major Ray Milland for the well-known ride, weekends as his guest at Wallace Military Academy, straightens out his love life, and finally ends up at home in an anti-climactic finale...
Basically the story is trite and simple, but what keeps them waiting in line at the Met is the hilarious dialogue which both rolls 'em in the aisles and keeps them chuckling the morning after. The acting throughout the picture is superb with Ginger playing her three-faced part without dropping a stitch and the pseudo-sophisticated cadets, just Sue-Sue's age, throw a line at Ginger which would shame anything around the Square for pure brass and military strategy. Benchley's all too short appearance packs into a few shots what some comedians needs a lifetime...
...Ginger rightfully brings home the show. Even when the Major has the audience roaring at his tongue-tied attempts to tell Sue-Sue the facts of life, it is still Ginger who puts the scene over with a warming-up climax which sets Uncle Philip back on his heels...
Miss Reynolds, latest candidates for Ginger Rogers' place, keeps well apace of the co-stars through most of the picture, working well with Astaire and singing in the bargain. Against this background the film's outstanding feature is a record-breaking swarm of new Berlin songs that would make any producer happy. "White Christmas," "Abraham," and "Be Careful, It's My Heart" nicely set the stage for a good performance by Crosby, while Astaire matches his best routines with an inspirational fire-cracker dance. With this to offer, "Holiday Inn" takes current honors for ninety minutes of good showmanship...