Main Cast: June Allyson, Van Johnson, Gig Young, Kathryn Givney
Release Year: 1951
Country: US
Run Time: 91 minutes
Plot
Can it be that June Allyson is Too Young to Kiss in this bit of MGM fluff? Well, not really. Pianist Cynthia Potter (Allyson) is well into her 20s, but she's posing as a 14-year-old musical prodigy. It's part of her desperate effort to become a client of highly selective concert-promoter Eric Wainwright (Van Johnson), who is only hiring "young" performers. Wainwright falls for Cynthia's subterfuge, building a huge promotional campaign predicated upon his new protégé's "youth." He even adopts a fatherly attitude towards Cynthia, who would prefer that their relationship be a bit more intimate. Though it may seem to be a rehash of the 1943 comedy The Major and the Minor, Too Young to Kiss remains fresh and funny throughout, thanks to the script-writing know-how of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Ironically, Allyson was thirty-four when this film was shot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Too Young to Kiss is a reasonably entertaining bit of fluff, the kind of by-the-numbers farce that never really offers any surprises but that gets where it's going in an agreeable manner. Modern audiences are likely to snicker a bit at the absurdity of the plot, and some may be made a bit uncomfortable by the basic situation involving an adult man and a presumed teenager. It's true, of course, that Van Johnson evinces no romantic feelings for June Allyson until after her secret is revealed, but there's still a slight underlying "smarminess" to the proceedings. Fortunately, this isn't dwelt upon and it doesn't disrupt the fun. Even more fortunately, Johnson and Allyson are very much in their element here, delivering finely calibrated comedic performances that find all the humor in the screenplay and then some. There are also some fine performances of musical material, unobtrusive direction, and a professional physical production. This Kiss won't make you swoon, but it's a pleasant little diversion. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Larry Keating - Danny Cutler; Hans Conried - Mr. Sparrow; Esther Dale - Mrs. Boykin; Antonio Filauri - Veloti; Alexander Steinert - Conductor; Jimmy Ames - Cab Driver; Peter Brocco - Waiter; Rita Corday - Denise Dorcet; Jonathan Cott - Photographer; Lisa Ferraday - Nina Marescu; Elizabeth Flournoy; Jack Gargan - Paul the Chauffeur; Jo Gilbert - Gloria; Everett Glass - Druggist; Larry Harmon - Conductor; Grace Hayle - Woman; Teddy Infur - Jeffrey; Joan Leslie; George McDonald - Boy in Drugstore; Matt Moore - Charles; Alberto Morin - East Indian; Bob Stephenson - Stagehand; Ruthelma Stevens - Jeffrey's Mother; Ludwig Stossel - German Accompanist; Erno Verebes - Headwaiter; Ray Walker - Reporter; Josephine Whittell - Mrs. Fullerton; John Maxwell - Detective; Betty Farrington; Robert Strong; Bob Jellison - Sparrow's Assistant; John R. McKee - Motorcycle Officer; Roger Moore - Photographer
The Silent Command •Heritage •Judge Not; or The Woman of Mona Diggings •Secret Love •The Crippled Hand •The Love Girl •Little Eve Edgarton •The Plow Girl •The Eagle's Wing (with Rufus Steele) •On Record •A Mormon Maid •The Primrose Ring •At First Sight •Princess Virtue •Face Value •The Bride's Awakening •Her Body in Bond •Modern Love •Danger, Go Slow •The Scarlet Shadow •The Delicious Little Devil •What Am I Bid? •Big Little Person •The Way of a Woman •The Miracle of Love
