User reviews

It is a real shame that this film is not available on video. I taped it from AMC a while back for my mother, and later made another copy for myself. I've watched it often enough that I'm afraid the tape will wear out.

Jeanne Crain is terrific, as is the rest of the cast. The story is adorable, and one really feels for Margie in her teenage angst. All in all, it is a wonderful movie; one which I could watch over and over.

This movie made me a fan of Jeanne Crain when I was 13. She showed a talent here for light comedy. The bloomer bit was hilarious. It was a "feel good" movie and although I have not seen it for years I remember it well. Too bad it is not in VHS. I surely would buy a copy.

I agree absolutely with - Xeresa6 of San Diego,Ca - her synopsis of this movie is gob smack right on! I just wanted to add that I at age 10 years, saw this movie in 1946 with my mom who was a teen in the flapper era and it was a sweet experience to enjoy this film with my mom. She regaled me with her stories of bloomers with broken elastic and safety pins.

Young girls today would not really pick up on the chains on the fireplace story without someone older 'walking' them through it. A lot is taken for granted today on the struggles of women not so very long ago to be able to have the right to vote.......we can learn a lot of history from these old movies - but it is wise to also check further into the history to be sure it is portrayed accurately in the film.

It is interesting to find out the film was made in Reno NV. It looked so much like the towns in Ohio where I grew up, that's probably one of the reasons why Mom and I connected with the film.

What a crass movie industry we have today. It is so hard to find non-violent and non-vulgar stories in the movies today. One can occasionally find a good movie but they are few and far between. I find myself looking to pre-1950 movies more and more. That is sad.

Unassuming but surprisingly enjoyable Americana with an authentic feel for its 1920s small-town setting (encompassing high-school life, teenage romance, musical styles, politics, etc). Fox stalwart King here shows he was as much at home in an intimate environment as an elaborate one; the result is an extremely handsome-looking Technicolor production further blessed by a most appealing young cast. This is led by Jeanne Crain in a star-making role as the titular character (embarrassed by Father's profession or when her undergarments gets unfastened in public places!) but also highlighting Glenn Langan as the dashing French professor (who ends up marrying her!), pretty blonde Barbara Lawrence as her popular best friend/neighbor (a nimble dancer and skater yet jealous of Langan's attentions for Crain) and a debuting Alan Young as the heroine's mild-mannered but devoted poet beau. While there were a few too many songs for my tastes, the warm humor and amiable characterizations eventually won the day; albeit well-loved, the film is oddly unavailable on DVD – so that I had to make do with a TV-sourced French-subtitled copy of variable quality!

I have looked for the movie in the stores without any success. "Margie" was wholesome and refreshing. Hopefully today the movie industry will produce movies that the family can sit back and enjoy like we did in the mid 40's and 50's.

This movie is one of my favorites too! I love visiting the time period (1920's) and Jeanne Crain is perfect in the role. I wish this movie would be released on video as I don't get to see it very often. In fact, I've only seen it twice but fell in love with it and have never forgotten how wonderful it is!

"Margie" is a popular 1946 comedy romance movie about family and teens coming of age in the late 1920s. It also gives a glimpse of such family life in the first year after World War II. The film is also billed as a musical, mostly because of some of the songs of the period that are played on records, over the radio and by the band at a high school prom.

The film opens in 1946 with a teenage Joyce Fontayne and her mother, Margie, in the attic of their home. Margie is going through a trunk of old clothes and Joyce is playing records on a hand-cranked Victrola record player. As they listen to music and talk, Joyce opens a scrapbook her mother kept and asks questions about various photos. This leads to Margie telling her about her last teen year at Central High School. Among the fads of the time, mostly by college boys, were flagpole sitting and goldfish swallowing. When Joyce asks her mom about Rudy Vallee, Margie says, "He was the Frank Sinatra of that time."

The movie segues to 1928 and Margie now looks very much like a teenage Jean Crain. She is a bright but impetuous young lady being raised by her grandma on her mother's side. Her mother died when she was born. Her father is a mortician who supports grandma and Margie, and comes to visit her on Wednesdays.

This is a good comedy and slice of life of the times. The bulk of the film takes place in 1928. It's Margie's senior year in high school. A campaign float touting Herbert Hoover for president drives past Central High School. Margie MacDuff has had a crush on Johnny Green who dates her neighbor and friend, Marybelle Tenor (played by Barbara Lawrence). But now she has a crush on the new French teacher, Professor Ralph Fontayne. He's in his late 20s and had been living in France where he studied. Margie has trouble keeping her bloomers pinned up, and that causes a few situations that provide some of the comedy. The comedy is mostly light and situational, with occasional funny lines.

The cast all are very good. Aside from Jeanne Crain though, the only supporting cast likely to be recognized are Lynn Bari as Miss Isabel Palmer, Esther Dale as Grandma McSweeney, and Hattie McDaniel as Cynthia. The four leading males all had substantial film careers, but with no memorable roles or films. Glenn Langan plays Prof. Fontayne, Alan Young is Roy Hornsdale, Conrad Janis is Johnny Green and Hobart Cavanaugh is Margie's dad, Angus MacDuff.

Among some of the songs heard in the film are "Margie," "Charleston," "Three O'Clock in The Morning," "My Time is Your Time," and "A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You."

This film was a big hit in 1946 - the first year after the end of World War II. It might seem very mild and forgettable to audiences in the 21st century. But for those interested in history, sociology, and anything to do with customs, people and past times in America, "Margie" should be very interesting and enjoyable.

Here are some favorite lines from the film.

Joyce, listening to the hand-crank Victrola record player, "Can you imagine, mother? It actually still works." Margie, "Well, you could hardly call it an antique. It was a wedding present, and a very lovely one, too." Joyce, "No kidding? Gee, when I get married I hope people don't give me a lot of old junk."

Joyce, "What I want is a mink coat." Margie, "Yes, dear, we'll make a note of that."

Joyce, "Oh, please, mother. Tell me about the crazy and idiotic things you did when you were my age."

Margie, "So many wonderful things happened today." Grandma McSweeney, "At your age, Margie, wonderful things happen every day."

Marybelle Tenor, "Gee, he must have lots of money. That's a gorgeous car." Johnny Green, "I'll bet he uses it in funerals."

Grandma McSweeney, "Margie, 20 years from now you'll look back at Johnny Green and you'll wonder what you ever saw in him." Margie MacDuff, "Twenty years from now, I'll be an old woman and it won't matter what I think."

Grandma McSweeney, "There now, honey, don't cry any more." Margie, "I wish I was dead." Grandma, "Were dead." Margie, "All right - were dead, then. I'll never be able to face anyone again - ever."

Roy Hornsdale, "Well, I came here to read poetry to her. Who am I gonna read poetry to now?" Cynthia, closing the door to the kitchen, "Not me."

Football Coach (Robert Ford), taps Professor Fontayne on the shoulder as he's dancing with Miss Palmer, "May I cut in?" Professor Fontayne, "You don't want to dance with him, do you?" Miss Isabel Palmer, "He's the football coach. If I don't he might try to tackle you." Football Coach, "You look beautiful tonight, Miss Palmer."

When this film begins, you see Margie (Jeanne Crain) with her teenage daughter. She begins to reminisce and soon the film jumps back to 1928 when Margie was in high school. While bright and capable, Margie is a bit of a klutz. She's also smitten with her next-door neighbor's boyfriend, Johnny (Conrad Janis of all people!), but I agree with Margie's grandma...he's a bit of an idiot. She's also smitten with her French teacher, Mr. Fontayne (Glenn Langan) and folks all around Margie seem to be encouraging this! Think about it....a girl of perhaps 16 or 17 being encouraged by her friends, family and even faculty to date the French Teacher!! Things really, really have changed as today schools would fire any teacher who began making overtures towards one of their students...and yet in this film it's quite acceptable and even normal. Additionally, Roy (Alan Young) is quite smitten by her. So who will the lucky guy be?

All in all, this slice of life film is expertly done...but also creepy as can be! They also WAY overdid the bloomers bit! Changing times and changing standards make this one a difficult film to love, though everyone associated with the picture did a very nice job with this one.

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!

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.

Hello, I enjoy this movie every time I am lucky enough to see it on television. I first saw this movie in 1946 when I was 9 years old. I live in Reno, Nevada and this movie was filmed in Reno in 1945. The actor, Conrad Janis, who plays the College boy, Johnny, became Mindy's father on the television series "Mork and Mindy" in the early 80's. He was so cute! Thank you for listening. Florence Forrester-Stockton Reno, Nevada florriebbc@aol.com

Older Margie (Jeanne Crain) recounts her high school days to her own teenage daughter. In 1928, she was a shy teenager. Her mother died when she was a baby. Her father is often absent. She has a crush on her new French teacher Prof. Ralph Fontayne (Glenn Langan) while fellow student Roy Hornsdale (Alan Young) has a crush on her.

This movie tricked me in the beginning. I thought they were actually going to use a teenager to play a teenager. I don't know the age of consent back in the day and I didn't catch Margie's age. I guess the audience back then didn't care that much about all that. Jeanne Crain does look much older than that anyways. As long as the crush remains innocent, it's fine to walk that line and play it for cute puppy crush. There are some parts that won't fly today and that ending would be the first to change.

A great tongue-in-cheek movie that has one of the funniest gags - a pair of bloomers (underwear) makes a great difference in a high-school girl's life. Every time she wants something good, her bloomers elastic break, they fall down, and she gets what she wants! I love how the non-popular girl gets ahead and also gets the best guys' attention. Great for all the "non-popular in high school" girls out there. There is also a interesting sub-plot about her getting to know her estranged father. He had ignored her for years, every since her mother died and she was being raised by her grandmother. Now he discovers what a good daughter he has and has started to get to know her. That part will reach a lot of people out there with trouble with a parent. A great movie that I really enjoy seeing over and over.

One of my favorite movies from the 1940s. Crain plays Margie with such sweet, believable, awkward conviction; her goofily repressed homelife & "bad girl" best friend & various boyfriends round out this story in an unforgettable way. The music is poignant & tuneful & perfectly suited to the storyline, the humor subtle & sly & ever-so-slightly off color, in a way that is completely inoffensive. A joy of a movie!

Hello, I have always loved this movie. Margie was filmed in Reno, Nevada and it is fun to look at the scenery. Jeanne Crain is fabulous and the music is very good and happy. The love story is great. It makes you feel you are there and the emotions are yours. Florence Forrester-Stockton Reno, Nevada

Nostalgic fluff about a 1920s schoolgirl (Jeanne Crain) with a crush on her handsome French teacher (Glenn Langan) and the trials and tribulations of growing up during the flapper age of "Flaming Youth". A charming musical delight with some lively performances from Barbara Lawrence (in her usual fast girl role), Lynn Bari, Alan Young and Conrad Janis.

Jeanne Crain was a popular star at Fox when this was made and her appeal was never more apparent than as the sweetly innocent heroine who gradually emerges as a woman unafraid of her convictions. Her beauty is the refreshing kind that looks so good in technicolor and the story is just the sort of vehicle she needed to showcase her natural charm and ability.

Tastefully photographed with some nice period music and well directed by Henry King, it became one of the most popular films of 1946. It has lost none of its charm. Well worth viewing.

On a rainy day, on the couch, hot chocolate and your kids besides you. A very entertaining movie..laughing, tears and a very good ending. Recommend to every family...I wasn't born until 1959....but, its still a cool movie....makes life complete....buy it, rent it, watch it.

This was my mother's favorite movie as a girl and now it is one of mine. Jeanne Crain is wonderful. It is the kind of movie that makes you feel really good inside when you are done watching it. Great for family viewing.

I absolutely adore this movie set in the 1920's and full of the fun and innocence of that time period. "Margie" is a great film that's shown all too rarely on television and is not on VHS or DVD. Let's hope it will be out soon. If you ever see it on the TV listing, give it a look! It stars Jeanne Crain as a high school senior going through all the struggles any teen has--puppy love; problems in school--with both the academics and the popularity issues every student has; and problems with parents. It's got a great supporting cast and is immensely funny. It's most certainly for those who can suspend their disbelief at some of the unlikely antics. The soundtrack is wonderful too.

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.