Ginger

Jane Withers was a wonderful child actress and Ms. Withers just celebrated her 90th birthday this year! She was Twentieth Century Fox's counterpoint to their super-successful Shirley Temple. While Shirley was sugary sweet and delightful, Jane played characters who could be bratty, very spunky and earthlier than Shirley ever played. And, in a brilliant move, the studio put them together in BRIGHT EYES....one of the best movies of Temple's career. But Withers also made quite a few films of her own and "Ginger" is one of her best--and every bit as enjoyable as the Temple films.

When the film begins, you learn that Ginger (Withers) is an orphan who lives with her uncle, Rex Whittington...a drunk has-been actor. While he does love her, he clearly cannot stop drinking and stay out of trouble. During one of his benders, he's arrested and poor Ginger is left to fend for herself. During this time, Ginger steals a bunch of small things as this little girl has the audacious plan of raising money to get him out of jail this way! When she is caught, however, the authorities get involved and she's taken home to live with Mrs. Parker and her family. The problem is that Mrs. Parker is incredibly intent on being sophisticated and a paragon of society...and there just isn't a lot of room for fun in this household. Her son, Hamilton (played wonderfully by Jackie Searl), is a prissy kid and at first gets along poorly with Ginger. However, through the course of the film, Ginger is able to not only win him over but Mr. Parker as well. But what about Mrs. Parker and the all-too-proper home? And, what of poor Uncle Rex?! Can Ginger and Mr. Parker possibly do anything to take care of these problems?

This is a schmaltzy family film...I admit it. But Withers' performance and the script so well written that I didn't mind in the least. I loved every minute of the film and can't see why you wouldn't as well...unless, of course, you are an old curmudgeon. I may be old...but not quite a curmudgeon!