The Major and the Minor
Seen it?1942 | 100 min | Comedy, Romance
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Operation Petticoat or To Be or Not to Be, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny, romantic.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1942: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Low on funds, working-class girl Susan Applegate disguises herself as a youngster in order to pay half fare home. But little 'Sue Sue' finds herself in a whole heap of grownup trouble when she hides out in a compartment with handsome Major Philip Kirby.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 27K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Billy Wilder
- Ginger RogersSusan Applegate
- Ray MillandMajor Kirby
- Rita JohnsonPamela Hill
- Robert BenchleyMr. Osborne
- Diana LynnLucy Hill
- Edward FieldingColonel Hill
- Frankie ThomasCadet Osborne
- Raymond RoeCadet Wigton
- Charles SmithCadet Korner
- Larry NunnCadet Babcock