She's Working Her Way Through College

source: She's Working Her Way Through College

Trailer—She's Working Her Way Through College

She's Working Her Way Through College

Hard to believe that all the college students are over 25 and are all in the college play??? Not one book is seen throughout the film and no one seems to attend classes..The big production number at the end is strange in that in two seconds the Virginia Mayo and Gene Nelson character change costumes and face make up. Could only happen in a fantasy musical which of course this is. Mayo does well in her role and Ronald Reagan seems a bit out of his league. The one stand out is Gene Nelson. A cross between Astaire and Kelly. His number in the gym is worth the price of admission. Great. The Patrice Wymore role of Ivy is a bit uneven but she does well. Phyllis Thaxter does well as Reagans suffering wife, but Don De Fore is out of his element. All told an OK escapism show. But again, watch this for a couple of good musical numbers and Mr. Nelsons superb gym number.

I thought this movie was good. I was on vacation and I was staying one night in Zurich, and this just happened to be on TV. I couldn't stop watching it. It was really good, I never knew Ronald Reagan was such a good actor, I just thought of him as a president, nothing else, go figure. Anyway, if ever you are bored and looking for an amusing movie, this one will do you good. Even though it takes place in the early 1950s it is still really good. I didn't see the very beginning of the movie though, but everything I saw I liked, so thats that.

when I was young my girlfriend and I would go to the movies everyday to see this movie and stay to see it twice. As you know in 1952 the movie only played for three days. We simply enjoyed the plot which told the story of Angela who had to work hard to get to college. The fact that she met up with "Professor" was a treat. We loved the clothes she wore, the dances, the Gene Nelson creativity and watching the girl get her due for trying to expose her. Why can't they make movies like this today. I suppose the producers and directors have all passed away and the young ones today just can't sit still long enough to enjoy the simple ways of life in the 1950's the best of times.

Then again, I was only 10, and home sick from school. Burlesque Star, read, Exotic Dancer wants for some obscure reason, a college education. She's obviously making more dough now than she will with a BA, but never mind, she's got a heart of gold, and a yen for knowledge. Knowing what we know about the then future, and now late President, it's really ironic that he was so good about defending the rights of "shady lady." My favorite scene, in fact, was when he told the board of tight butts who wanted to kick her out of school, how she worked her way through high school too, getting up early to prepare food in the cafeteria. Corny, but it worked on me. Anyway, I don't usually like made-for-film musicals either, but I thought that this was sweet and fun, well acted and a fine way to pass a couple of hours.

I'm not much of a fan of Hollywood musicals (especially the bloated 50s variety--you can keep Kiss Me Kate, thank you) but there is something riveting about this film that is rather hard to explain. The script is sharply written and the songs are reasonably good, but the capper for me are the production numbers. Watching Gene Nelson bound around a gymnasium is a truly thrilling experience. If you think this is merely another one of President Ronnie's bad films, think again. With its candy cane Technicolor, snappy dialogue, and big productions, it's almost a pre-rock The Girl Can't Help It--and that can only be a good thing!

This film may be seen as a rather slight offering in the musical genre of the early 50's; however, it's been a favorite film of mine since I first saw it years ago. Virginia Mayo sparkles as Angela, a sincere girl who wants to attend college, but has to work in burlesque as "Hot Garters Gertie" to earn the money. Ronald Reagan is her professor, and thankfully, the film is less concerned with his career woes (being passed over for promotions at the college, a rivalry with the football coach, etc.) than it is with the college kids and the musical numbers. Gene Nelson is handsome and an excellent dancer, and Patrice Wymore has the right degree of archness as "Poison Ivy". The musical numbers are a lot of fun, especially "With Plenty of Money and You" (Virginia, clad in gold fringe, pulls out the stops for her burlesque number), "I'll Still Be Loving You" (Virginia and Gene sing the cute romantic number in class), and the title song. It's a film I can enjoy watching again and again.