L'ingenua maliziosa

Hackett and Goodrich were some of the best screenwriters Hollywood ever produced and even when the movie isn't clicking on all cylinders, the dialogue usually is and when you listen to it, you notice the potential for a great movie is always there. Such is the case of Too young to kiss, a plot that had the necessary oomph but a director and stars that go for the easy. The pluses: Allyson is completely convincing in costume and makeup as the twelve year old she pretends to be. Van Johnson's droll and fatigued performance strikes the right pitch more often than not. The mistaken identity plot is handled here much better than it was in The Major and Minor, a movie to which comparisons have to be made, but is a better movie than that one. The ending feels rushed but that is because of the poor execution, in the hands of Billy Wilder who directed the other movie, it would have been gold as the love strokes and magic of the heart would conquer.

Did anyone notice that background music written for "The Wizard of Oz" was used in the opening credits and background music for this film? In "Oz", the music plays over the opening scene of Dorothy and Toto running along the road, presumably after encountering Miss Gulch. You hear it many times afterwards. I guess, for this film, they pulled it from the MGM music library, not knowing "Oz" would become such a classic, and that any bit of music from it would be so recognizable over sixty years later. The original piece for "Oz" was (erroneously)titled "Trouble in School."

UPDATE: I have been informed that the above-mentioned piece of music is actually not original to "Oz," but is,in fact, a classically composed children's melody.

I just saw this movie for the first time today. The description reminded me of "The Major and the Minor" which is a movie I have watched over and over. While neither movie is Oscar material both are fun & romantic. If you are in the mood for light fare find June & Van in this one and enjoy.

This film is simply fun. You can't take it too seriously, the idea of a woman in her twenties posing as a twelve year old - this is not something that happens everyday. June Allyson is wonderful in the lead, and is practically playing two characters. She does manage to look very young, despite her being in her thirties at the time. Van Johnson is his usual lovable self, and this movie is just too cute at times. Poor Gig Young is barely seen, but he does what he can with his role. This movie is too cute!

June Allyson's acting is really good in this film, I think its one of her best performances. Van Johnson gives a good performance but seems a bit uncomfortable in the role. Gig Young delivers his usual effortless and somewhat detached performance in a thankless supporting role.

My problem is that this story and whole film are contrived, being nonsense about a child pianist who is or is not a child, with one awkward set up after another revolving around this one idea. Its a deliberately contrived movie for its star. The whole idea is misguided as an overall movie, but ironically serves its one and only purpose- to be a starring vehicle for June Allyson and showcase her acting talents and charm.

This is a star who gives a fine performance, and this is a starring role custom written for her. It seems like she is in every scene, and she might be. So if you like June Allyson, you will like "Too Young to Kiss", if you don't like her, you won't.