- Format: PAL
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 2
- Classification: U
- Studio: Universal Pictures UK
- DVD Release Date: 26 Dec 2006
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000JJRBIQ
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 31,250 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Major And The Minor
On her first day of work, Sue Applegate (Ginger Rogers) has to escape the clutches of a lecherous client (Robert Benchley, whose favourite line is "Why don't you slip out of that wet coat and into a dry martini?"). Fed up with the big city, Sue decides to head home to Iowa with the precious $27.50 train fare she's kept in a sealed envelope since her arrival. The fare has gone up, however, and she is forced to pose as a 12-year-old to buy a half-price ticket. On the train, she has to dodge the suspicious conductors and bursts into the compartment of Major Phillip Kirby (Ray Milland), who falls for Sue's masquerade and harbors her for the night. The situation is further complicated by the major's fiancée (Rita Johnson) and her savvy 12-year-old sister (Diana Lynn), the only one who sees through the ruse. Add a stay at the major's academy and some escapades with young, hormone-driven cadets, and you have an enjoyable, if not quite classic, silly comedy, well paced by Billy Wilder in his first directorial effort. Rogers's real-life mother appears in a small role as Sue's mother. Rogers is only occasionally convincing as a 12-year-old, but after all she was 30 at the time. --David Horiuchi
Bachelor Mother
Ginger Rogers stars as a department store salesclerk about to be laid off after the Christmas holiday, who happens to be passing an orphanage when a woman leaves a baby on the doorstep. The orphanage assumes that Rogers is the mother, despite her protests; when they contact the department store, the owner's son (David Niven) decides to restore her job so that she can take care of the child. Before long, rumors are flying that Niven is the child's father, which fills Niven's father (the great character actor Charles Coburn) with joy. The plot expertly weaves a deliciously funny web of assumptions and denials, with Rogers, Niven, and Coburn turning in topnotch performances--Rogers, who sometimes overplays her comic parts, is brilliantly understated in what is one of her best roles. These great actors are combined with a smart script from Norman Krasna (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, It Started with Eve) and smooth direction from Garson Kanin (My Favorite Wife). Bachelor Mother is one of the most underappreciated gems of the screwball comedy era. --Bret Fetzer
Synopsis
Includes the Ginger Rodgers films The Major and the Minor and Bachelor Mother. In The Major and the Minor, a female adult poses as a child in order to take a train journey for half the adult price. While on the train, she meets a Major who's teaching at a military school. In Bachelor Mother, a single girl causes a mild scandal when she inherits an abandoned baby.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Both films are outstanding of course, but be warned that Bachelor Mother is a colorized version, ruining the stark black and white photography of this 1939 classic. The box says 'black & white', which is false. 'The Major and the Minor' is in black & white.
41 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Although "Bachelor Mother" is listed on the box as "black and white" the actual DVD contains a terrible colorized version of the film. (Thoughtfully, the film begins with a statement to the effect that what we are about to see has been interfered with in ways not agreed to by the original producers. It would be nice to see that in the online product description or even on the box cover.) Turning the colour all the way down reveals, moreover, that the transfer is either poor or from a poor source - close to unwatchable. "The Major and the Minor" is actually in black and white and a better transfer, but this DVD set constitutes false advertising.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
This film is full of lovely memories of my mum and me sitting down watching Sunday afternoon matinees when life was easy. The story line is simple a young woman eager to go home realises she has only enough money for a childs train fare. She dresses down accordingly and passes herself of as a child capturing the debonair officer Ray Milland along the way as the appropiate adult who looks after her.
The other film Bachelor mother is just as simple Ginger portrays a single shop worker who sees an old woman leaving a baby at an orphanage door. Just as Ginger picks the baby up to return her to the old woman the orphanage door opens and the obvious presumptions are made by the nurse at that point you can clearly see where this storyline is going. David Niven is the love interest. The films are pure escapism both storylines would not happen today. In todays world Ray Milland would be hauled off to prison as a child molesterer and Ginger Rogers for child neglect.
The other film Bachelor mother is just as simple Ginger portrays a single shop worker who sees an old woman leaving a baby at an orphanage door. Just as Ginger picks the baby up to return her to the old woman the orphanage door opens and the obvious presumptions are made by the nurse at that point you can clearly see where this storyline is going. David Niven is the love interest. The films are pure escapism both storylines would not happen today. In todays world Ray Milland would be hauled off to prison as a child molesterer and Ginger Rogers for child neglect.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great film!
The Major and the Minor is a treasure of a film that I would never have seen had it not been for the classic line (advertised on a film quotation site):
"Why don't you... Read more
"Why don't you... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ali Cat
One film brilliant, the other...
I bought this set for Bachelor Mother, a hugely enjoyable romantic comedy. The plot is clever, and David Niven and Ginger Rogers both perfect in their roles. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lexi
A Fairy-Tale For The Young At Heart
A romantic comedy about a girl down on her luck who meets the man of her dreams whilst disguised as a child.
Funny warm and sweet Ginger proves she could succeed without Fred.
Funny warm and sweet Ginger proves she could succeed without Fred.
Published 21 months ago by lily morticia
Great entertainment
How refreshing to watch a couple of Ginger Rogers DVD which give great entertainment and show Ginger as a wonderful comedy star. Read more
Published on 27 May 2009 by Mr. K. J. Fielding
Excellent Films - Top Duo
These in my opinion are ginger rogers best, great duo pack with 2 excellent films. Batchelor mother is even in colour. Good story lines and fun to watch the classics.
Published on 6 April 2009 by Boosh
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