The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947) is a romantic comedy about a teenager, Susan, played by Shirley Temple, who thinks she’s in love with an older man, played by Cary Grant (Richard). Susan’s sister, Margaret, played by Myrna Loy, is a judge and her guardian. Richard is a successful artist and always seems to be the eye of storms of people wanting to get close to him. Sometimes they are fighting over who should have access to his company and at the beginning of the movie he ends up in Margaret’s court because of a fight over him in a night club. Margaret dismisses the case from lack of motive. Later that day, he gives a lecture at Susan’s high school about art and she sees him as a knight in shining armor and forgets all about her current boyfriend, Jerry.
The problem begins when Susan goes to Richard’s apartment late one night when Margaret is out, thinking he has invited her to pose for him. Of course, he’s unaware of her belief and completely surprised when he arrives home to find her sleeping on his couch. Frantic about Susan’s safety after arriving home from a party with her friend, Asst. District Attorney, Tommy, played by Rudy Vallee, Margaret realizes where Susan has gone. When they arrive at Richard’s apartment just as he’s discovered Susan, all h*ll breaks loose.
Given what’s going on in the world today, the situation in the move may seem like a cautionary tale. But it’s not icky, it’s hilarious. Richard is not attracted to Susan at all, and the solution to help her get over her infatuation is innocent and harmless. Dr. Beemish, played by Ray Collins, is not only Margaret and Susan’s uncle, he’s also the court psychiatrist and suggests that to keep himself out of jail, Richard date Susan to help her get over her infatuation. This will be done under family supervision, of course. Richard doesn’t want to do it, but he’s in a difficult place so the deal is struck.
While Richard is reluctantly attending basketball games and school picnics, he’s getting to know Margaret. It’s a slow progression to their falling love, but Uncle Beemish is there to help push it along because he knows that Margaret has denied herself any romantic entanglements because of her devotion to raising Susan.
The script won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Sidney Sheldon. There are some funny bits of dialogue that help keep the mood light and engaging.
There are words and phrases from the movie that are so unique and charming that Celeste and I love to use them in our every day conversations. We hope you will watch the movie and our analysis of it and start a conversation about this entertaining movie. It’s a great one to watch when you need a good laugh.
