Margie (1946)

How sad is this?

A Disappointing Continuation

A different way of telling a story

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

This is a great movie about being a high school senior in the 1920s. Jeanne Craig captures the emotional highs and lows experienced at that age. Conrad Janis, who played the record producer in the Buddy Holly Story, looks so young and smart aleck in Margie. Alan Young, who was Wilbur in Mr. Ed, looks so geeky and smitten with puppy love over Margie. Esther Dale, who plays Margie's grandmother, is a strong woman and former suffragette with common sense ideas about life.However nowadays we would frown on a romance between a high school teacher and a student. But world famous historian Will Durant married Ariel, his high school student in 1913. They co-authored many books and were married for over 60 years.

Jeanne Crain (Margie) recounts a few episodes from her teenage life to her daughter. We are taken through her experiences of meeting the new French teacher, Glenn Langan (Mr Fontayne), her debating of why American marines should withdraw from Nicaragua, an ice-skating trip and the events surrounding her school prom. She has a potential suitor in Alan Young (Roy) who likes to read poetry to her but she is fixated on Conrad Janis (Johnikins) who is the boyfriend of her neighbour and friend Barbara Lawrence (Marybelle). We follow how things go wrong in her daily routines and how her problems get resolved. And who does she settle down with...?This is an amusing coming-of-age film shot in technicolour with a good cast who all deliver funny performances. Barbara Lawrence and Conrad Janis and their scenes together are very entertaining. The songs are also very good in this film, a memorable section coming near the beginning of the film when Lawrence sings along to "Coffee, a Sandwich and You" while dancing with Janis one night while Crain studies for her speech. There is also some good ice skating to watch and an entertaining moment when Lawrence and Janis speak to each other whilst showing off their latest dance moves, after they have slipped out of listening to Jeanne Crain's debating session. It's a feel-good film and it's definitely worth watching again. And check out Conrad Janis's long furry pimp coat!

I watched this movie with my mother as a child and have loved it ever since. The fact that it's not available on Video or DVD is a shame. I keep my eyes peeled for it on TV but have not come across it in years. The song "A cup of coffee, a sandwich and you" sticks with me and I find myself humming it occasionally. This is one of those movies where things like that song and the underwear scenesk stick with you forever. Jeanne Crain is wonderful and is a young actress from this era of film-making that I adore. She also happens to be in another of my favorite movies "Meet me in St. Louis". Her appeal is lasting and stands the test of time.

I saw this movie for the first time in 1987 on a cable channel. I love this classic because it has great actors such as Jeanne Crain. It is a coming of age story that deals with the same things that teens encounter today such as popularity in high school, morals, sense of humor, crushes, different family structures and modesty. I think this film was entertaining in every aspect.My children watched it when they were five. Now they are 15 and still adore watching the embarrassing and funny things this young teenage girl experiences. This movie is for young and old alike. There is also no worrying about foul language or obscene scenes. I only wish that the movie would be released on a DVD. My video tape is about to wear away from all the playing!