The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer

1947

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer

Critics Consensus

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75%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 8

78%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 6,830

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Movie Info

Judge Myrna Loy decides that the best way to curb the excesses of playboyish art teacher Cary Grant is to force him to do what he does best--romance a willing young lady. In this instance, the girl is Loy's own sister, played by a blossoming Shirley Temple. Aware that Temple has a serious crush on Grant, Loy orders him to date the teen-aged Temple until the girl gets him out of her system; he is also ordered to keep his hands to himself lest he wind up in the pokey. Grant finds the irrepressible Temple rather wearisome, but he throws himself into his sentence full-force, donning teenaged clothes, speaking in nonsense slang ("Voodoo! Who Do? You Do!" etc.) and participating in the athletic events at a high school picnic. Grant eventually divests himself of Temple by arranging for her to fall for a boy her own age; meanwhile, Loy realizes what we've realized all along--that it is she who is truly smitten by Grant. Adding to the frothy fun of Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer are the supporting performances of Ray Collins as a sagacious psychologist and Rudy Vallee as a stuffy district attorney. The film's screenplay won an Academy Award for Sidney Sheldon, who went on to create I Dream of Jeannie and to matriculate into a best-selling novelist. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Cast

Cary Grant
as Dick
Myrna Loy
as Margaret
Shirley Temple
as Susan
Rudy Vallee
as Tommy
Harry Davenport
as Thaddeus
Ray Collins
as Beemish
Johnny Sands
as Jerry
Don Beddoe
as Tony
Lillian Randolph
as Bessie
Veda Ann Borg
as Agnes Prescott
Dan Tobin
as Walters
Ransom Sherman
as Judge Treadwell
William Bakewell
as Winters
Irving Bacon
as Melvin
Ian Bernard
as Perry
Carol Hughes
as Florence
William Forrest
as Mr. Baldwin
William Hall
as Anthony Herman
Gregory Gaye
as Maitre d'Hotel
Marilyn Howard
Carolyn Hughes
as Florence
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Critic Reviews for The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (1)

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Audience Reviews for The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer

  • Sep 05, 2010
    A wonderful cast and a brilliant story. This movie is hilarious and fun. I loved it, and I highly recommend it.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Sep 13, 2007
    A little silly but Shirley Temple is still pretty loveable as a teenager who falls for Cary Grant's charm.
    Sunil J Super Reviewer
  • Apr 11, 2007
    fluffy, enjoyable. perfect for a lazy afternoon.
    jay n Super Reviewer
  • Dec 07, 2006
    Another classic comedy with Cary Grant as playboy artist Richard Nugent who through a court order has to date a love struck teenage named Susan (wonderfully played by Shirley Temple) who sneaks into his apartment one night. Her sister, Judge Margaret Turner (Myrna Loy) is convinced that for Susan to get over Nugent is for her to date him and then she will eventually come to her senses. Of course Nugent goes out of his way to make sure that happens all the more quickly. This is a classic comedy that has everyone involved at their peak acting abilities, especially the three leads in Grant, Loy, and Temple. One of the best comedies from yesteryear. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matt Beemish: I'm the court psychiatrist. Richard Nugent: Come back in an hour. I'll be crazy by then.
    monty h Super Reviewer
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