The Major and The Minor - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Bosley Crowther of the New York Times said the Wilder-Brackett script "effervesces with neat situations and bright lines" and added, "The gentlemen have written - and Mr. Wilder has directed - a bountiful comedy-romance. And Miss Rogers and Mr. Milland have played it with spirit and taste. Never once does either permit the suggestion of a leer to creep in . . . Miss Rogers gives a beautiful imitation of a Quiz Kid imitating Baby Snooks. And in those moments when romance brightly kindles, she is a soft and altogether winning miss. Put this down as one of the best characterizations of her career. Credit Mr. Milland, too, with making a warm and nimble fellow of the major, and all the rest of the cast for doing very well with lively roles."

Variety called the film a "sparkling and effervescing piece of farce-comedy" with a story that is "light, fluffy, and frolicsome . . . Both script and direction swing the yarn along at a consistent pace, with the laughs developing naturally and without strain."

American Film Institute Lists

• AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs - Nominated
• AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions - Nominated
• AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes:
  • "Why don't you get out of that wet coat and into a dry martini?" - Nominated