A young woman enters college and learns some hard truths about sorority life, including snobbery and the cruelty of hazing.A young woman enters college and learns some hard truths about sorority life, including snobbery and the cruelty of hazing.A young woman enters college and learns some hard truths about sorority life, including snobbery and the cruelty of hazing.
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- Writers
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- Awards
- 2 wins total
June Alden
- Girl in Gym
- (uncredited)
Dusty Anderson
- Cashier
- (uncredited)
Joyce Arleen
- Vivian
- (uncredited)
Pattee Chapman
- Paula
- (uncredited)
Marjorie Crossland
- Olive Erickson
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
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Featured reviews
"Take Care of My Little Girl" is a tale of college and sorority life in the 1950s. Jeanne Crain is charming as the young woman who finds out that being in a sorority is not exactly as her mother described.
Not that Crain has it all that rough - how bad can things be when you've got Jeffrey Hunter and Dale Robertson making eyes at you? Despite the prettiness of the outward package of young stars, the film has a serious message about snobbery, shallowness, and hazing (which still hits the news today).
There are very good performances here from Crain, who is perfect for her role as a college freshman, Robertson, a student on the GI bill, Hunter, a big man on campus, and Jean Peters does a great job as the uberbitch. It's a film rich in college atmosphere.
Not that Crain has it all that rough - how bad can things be when you've got Jeffrey Hunter and Dale Robertson making eyes at you? Despite the prettiness of the outward package of young stars, the film has a serious message about snobbery, shallowness, and hazing (which still hits the news today).
There are very good performances here from Crain, who is perfect for her role as a college freshman, Robertson, a student on the GI bill, Hunter, a big man on campus, and Jean Peters does a great job as the uberbitch. It's a film rich in college atmosphere.
When I went through sorority rush just two years after this movie came out, one of the faculty sponsors made it a point to tell us that the sororities at our college were nothing like those in "Take Care of My Little Girl". I'm sure I wasn't the only one to feel mightily relieved. But I see, in more recent TV series and movies, the stereotypes still prevail. The fraternity men are still referred to as "frat" boys, and it's always assumed that Greeks do nothing with their time but drink and have toga parties. I'm so happy my own Greek experience, and that of my husband, were nothing at all like that, and in fact, were the most valuable experiences of our college lives.
Jeanne Crain is the little girl whose father is worried about when she becomes a college freshman. Veterans from WWII use the G.I. Bill to attend college, and although one might think they are the ones she needed protection from, it turns out that they protect her from the immature guys her own age. Dale Robertson is her main protector. In the process of taking care of her, he manages to impress her with what college should be about. The emphasis was on learning something worthwhile, and keeping the partying and fun in perspective. He had a positive influence on her, and me as well.
I am disappointed that this movie has never been made available on videotape, at least as far as I know. I would really like to see it again. Perhaps someday they will get around to taping it, but it doesn't look very promising.
I am disappointed that this movie has never been made available on videotape, at least as far as I know. I would really like to see it again. Perhaps someday they will get around to taping it, but it doesn't look very promising.
Mom. Apple pie. Americana. This looked like it was going to be cliché ridden but I was pleasantly surprised.
Of course, it seems in this film that college was meant for total partying, rushes and everything else associated with a non-academic life.
The film succeeds because it deals with human values, rejection and ultimate redemption.
It is also successful because it dealt with the snobbishness of some of these sororities. Lord knows the various religious and racial biases that were practiced as well.
I felt that Dale Robertson was miscast here. Can you really fathom him as a World War 11 veteran, now a college senior bucking for pre-med?
Interesting to see Jeanne Crain as our heroine here in some scenes with Helen Westcott. You remember Westcott? She was the one (Jane Marsh) who changed seats with Susan Hayward (Jane Froman) in the hit "With A Song in My Heart," the following year. Crain was all set to play Froman until Hayward wisely got the part. The ironies of movie making.
Some real moral dilemmas are depicted here. Cheating as one. Can you imagine getting away with this? Jeff Hunter, our young college stud, actually does. He gives a nice performance here.
This is certainly one movie that should be shown more often.
Of course, it seems in this film that college was meant for total partying, rushes and everything else associated with a non-academic life.
The film succeeds because it deals with human values, rejection and ultimate redemption.
It is also successful because it dealt with the snobbishness of some of these sororities. Lord knows the various religious and racial biases that were practiced as well.
I felt that Dale Robertson was miscast here. Can you really fathom him as a World War 11 veteran, now a college senior bucking for pre-med?
Interesting to see Jeanne Crain as our heroine here in some scenes with Helen Westcott. You remember Westcott? She was the one (Jane Marsh) who changed seats with Susan Hayward (Jane Froman) in the hit "With A Song in My Heart," the following year. Crain was all set to play Froman until Hayward wisely got the part. The ironies of movie making.
Some real moral dilemmas are depicted here. Cheating as one. Can you imagine getting away with this? Jeff Hunter, our young college stud, actually does. He gives a nice performance here.
This is certainly one movie that should be shown more often.
Not the worst, but this film is now very dated, and you may be amused at the formality of costumes (white gloves, tailored suits) for college freshmen.
The film covers the concerns of Liz (well-portrayed by Jeanne Crain), a new college freshman whose mother cannot wait for her to join the same sorority. At first Liz is gung-ho, attending all rush parties, eventually rushing for Tri Nu. She meets Chad, the resident big man on campus, whom she finally begins dating, and becomes popular. She even cheats on his French exam so he can pass his course.
Many girls are weeded out, if they don't look right for the sorority. The film doesn't clarify how the girls are eliminated, but they are ostracized, seemingly because they aren't as outgoing, or seventeen-ish magazine quality (whatecer that was, at the time). Janet Hippenstall is outright rejected, and Ruth is de-pledged, presumably because she owes money to Symington's department store.
The independents reside at Huyler Hall, where the lesser mortals reside. While the theme does cover relevant issues of discrimination and exclusion, it is rather vague and shallow, and reminded me of the film "Imitation of Life" by Douglas Sirk, from the same era. It glosses over the real issues of class distinction, and never really makes an impression. And of course, the new boyfriend always comes to the rescue. Worth seeing as a curiosity, and some of the campus scenery is pretty. 7/10.
The film covers the concerns of Liz (well-portrayed by Jeanne Crain), a new college freshman whose mother cannot wait for her to join the same sorority. At first Liz is gung-ho, attending all rush parties, eventually rushing for Tri Nu. She meets Chad, the resident big man on campus, whom she finally begins dating, and becomes popular. She even cheats on his French exam so he can pass his course.
Many girls are weeded out, if they don't look right for the sorority. The film doesn't clarify how the girls are eliminated, but they are ostracized, seemingly because they aren't as outgoing, or seventeen-ish magazine quality (whatecer that was, at the time). Janet Hippenstall is outright rejected, and Ruth is de-pledged, presumably because she owes money to Symington's department store.
The independents reside at Huyler Hall, where the lesser mortals reside. While the theme does cover relevant issues of discrimination and exclusion, it is rather vague and shallow, and reminded me of the film "Imitation of Life" by Douglas Sirk, from the same era. It glosses over the real issues of class distinction, and never really makes an impression. And of course, the new boyfriend always comes to the rescue. Worth seeing as a curiosity, and some of the campus scenery is pretty. 7/10.
Did you know
- Trivia"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on February 4, 1951 with Jeanne Crain and Dale Robertson reprising their film roles.
- GoofsDallas' shirt drastically changes from green to yellow in the same scene.
- Quotes
Prof. H. Benson: Hi, Carnes. Say, you got through with your exam pretty early, didn't you?
Chad Carnes: Well, I was surprised myself. Just shows you what a little boning will do.
Chad Carnes: May I present Miss Erickson--Professor Benson.
- ConnectionsReferenced in WildCat (2007)
- SoundtracksSmoke Dreams
(1936)
Written by Nacio Herb Brown (music) and Arthur Freed (lyrics)
Played at first formal dinner
- How long is Take Care of My Little Girl?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime
- 1h 33m(93 min)
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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