If you don't like sentimental movies, run from this but if you do like them you will no doubt be moved by a great performance by May Robson. Miss Robson, one of the 1930's most beloved character actresses, made 63 films and starred in about ten. GRAND OLD GIRL is one of those. The seventyish actress portrays Miss Bailes, a small town principal whose whole life is her students. In her 38 years of teaching, it seems she has taught practically the whole town including it's most famous graduate, the current (unnamed) President of the United States. Miss Bailes' concern for the welfare of her students goes beyond the classroom and for some somewhat unclear reasons, several of the town's leading businessmen and school board members have gotten tired of her meddling, presumably feeling it's hurting their businesses. When Miss Bailes opens a "wholesome" malt shop (as opposed to the one with a vice back room with gambling and booze that is run by her erstwhile student Alan Hale) a fight breaks out in the shop on opening night which incredibly is sufficient grounds for the townsmen to have the shop closed and the school board to send Miss Bailes packing from her beloved school. Learning of Miss Bailes' situation, the President (whose face is never seen) himself returns to town to comfort her and honor her in a speech in front of the awed townsfolk.
This little movie is a fine showcase for the always wonderful Miss Robson, here less incendiary than usual although a major butt-in-ski as normal. Her scenes at her last day at school are played as hearttuggers and they are highly effective. Beautiful 30's starlet Mary Carlisle is cast as one of the major problem children, a spoiled little rich girl and the very young Fred MacMurray (quite dashing in a working class way) has an early role as a delivery man unimpressed with Carlisle's methods. It's a particular treat to see Alan Hale in a rare non-period role as the town bad seed who isn't so bad after all but the supporting player who stands out the most is Etienne Girardot, an elderly character actor specializing in diminutive pretentious professor-types here cast as Miss Bailes' no nonsense, devoted vice principal.
The movie's ending is unintentionally haunting, Miss Bailes gets praised by the President but what will become of this old lady now that she has been pushed out before her reaching her pension. The new principal has already been hired and is set to start the next school day. The moral of the film almost becomes be of service to your community but don't go too far. Miss Bailes' fate is unclear, whatever will become of this truly grand old girl?
This little movie is a fine showcase for the always wonderful Miss Robson, here less incendiary than usual although a major butt-in-ski as normal. Her scenes at her last day at school are played as hearttuggers and they are highly effective. Beautiful 30's starlet Mary Carlisle is cast as one of the major problem children, a spoiled little rich girl and the very young Fred MacMurray (quite dashing in a working class way) has an early role as a delivery man unimpressed with Carlisle's methods. It's a particular treat to see Alan Hale in a rare non-period role as the town bad seed who isn't so bad after all but the supporting player who stands out the most is Etienne Girardot, an elderly character actor specializing in diminutive pretentious professor-types here cast as Miss Bailes' no nonsense, devoted vice principal.
The movie's ending is unintentionally haunting, Miss Bailes gets praised by the President but what will become of this old lady now that she has been pushed out before her reaching her pension. The new principal has already been hired and is set to start the next school day. The moral of the film almost becomes be of service to your community but don't go too far. Miss Bailes' fate is unclear, whatever will become of this truly grand old girl?