atlasmb
1946's Margie mostly takes the form of a flashback to 1928, as now adult Margie describes her high school days to her daughter.At first, I found it slightly annoying that they were checking off every item on the list of corny things from the roaring twenties--raccoon coats, megaphones, The Charleston--but the story does feel like it represents the time. As he story progressed, I came to enjoy it.Teenage Margie lives with her grandmother in a Victorian home decorated with all the gewgaws of its time. But the grandmother also displays a chain and lock she used to chain herself to the White House in support of women's suffrage back in her day.Margie copes with the usual teenage issues: juvenile boys, crushes on older men, discovering the fine line between sophistication and impropriety. She also has a problem with bloomers that is a little much.I thought that Jeanne Crain's portrayal of Margie was fairly realistic and heartwarming. Compare Susan Strasburg's role in the movie Picnic. Both struggle with the supposed conflict between intelligence and beauty/desirability.In 1948, Jeanne Crain will appear (again with Barbara Lawrence) in You Were Meant for Me, which takes place in 1929.
efisch
I've seen this movie a number of times over the last 40 years (though it's rarely shown on TV). It can only be described as "Enchanting". Beautiful Technicolor photography by Charles Clarke with very unusual use of lighting and shadows. Some scenes are almost exclusively shot in silhouette. You won't see more beautiful color effects. The story is very light but truly enjoyable. Filled with music, it's almost a musical. The music very effectively highlights the story and sets the period (1920s). Excellent performances all around. Direction by the great Henry King is sensitive and touching. It's the overall effect that is so delightful. If I recall from an old AMC showing, the outdoor scenes were shot in Reno, Nevada (you can see the Sierra Nevada's in the background). Also, this was a short-lived TV show in the late 1950's--early 1960'S. This is one of my favorites movies and hopefully yours. Enjoy!
Xeresa6
MARGIE is a wonderful movie that is deft blend of comedy,and romance. I consider this to be one of the best performances of Jeanne Crain during the 1940's. Miss Crain is delightful as a young, 1920's high school girl who is envious of her best friends romance with Johnnie, the coolest boy in school, and attracted by the handsome new French teacher,Mr. Ralph Fontaine who is currently romancing the school librarian,Lynn Bari. Margie has many crosses to bear in her young life. Her mother died at birth and she is being raised by her maternal grandmother and visited weekly by her mortician father. Her grandmother, who once chained herself to the gate of the White House, in support of woman's suffrage, makes her wear old-fashioned bloomers under her unfashionable clothes which the elastic is constantly breaking at the most inapropriate time-- usually in front of the french teacher. All the supporting roles are acted by first-class characters actors, but special kudos go to Alan Young as Margie's adenoidal, would-be boyfriend,Roy. At the end, of the movie, Margie is shown with her own teenage daughter, and we find out who she finally married-- cool Johnny, adenoidal Roy,or handsome Ralph. She got the one I wanted for her all along and all I can say(spoiler alert) is vive la France!
gwtwvicki
I first saw the movie "Margie" back in 1994 and have been wishing to see it again and again! Such a sweet, light-hearted movie that really puts a smile on your face. There's only one problem ... how can I obtain a copy of this movie?? I would love to have my children enjoy this movie with me someday.
AD
