The Rose Bowl Story

A quaint, if corny, image of Americana in the near-postwar era. College football star (who will be playing in the Rose Bowl) is in love with poor girl. Jim Backus as poor girl's dad in a role he'll refine for Rebel W/O A Cause. Typical gags such as worn chair with springs sticking out. While the movie is typical of so many B movies (thin, simple plot), I watched this while staying up all night on New Year's Eve and enjoyed it greatly.

This is an entertaining little gem that seems to have disappeared from TV screens everywhere. I first saw this as a kid on TV each year around New Years Day and seeing it again after many years has rekindled the fun of those simpler times.

The actors in this movie are all familiar faces and everyone plays their roles in a pleasant, relaxed manner except for a teen-age Natalie Wood, whose character is just brimming with youthful enthusiasm. The plotline is simple and transparent but it's fun to just watch it unfold.

The Rose Bowl story is a glimpse back into the postwar past when the "Grandaddy of Bowl Games" was a big and exciting tradition and not the media-fueled extravaganza it has become today.

If you're looking for a nice and relaxing little story as well as a little-seen vehicle for Natalie Wood, this is a good movie to catch in the "bowling season".