Take Care of My Little Girl

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.