The Under-Pup (1939)

A young city girl from a poor family is invited to spend the summer at a camp for girls from wealthy families. At first made fun of and ridiculed because of her background, she determines ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Wallace

Writers:

Grover Jones, I.A.R. Wylie (story)

Stars:

Gloria Jean, Robert Cummings, Nan Grey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gloria Jean	...	Pip-Emma Binns
Robert Cummings	...	Dennis King
Nan Grey	...	Priscilla Adams
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Grandpa
Beulah Bondi	...	Miss Thornton
Virginia Weidler	...	Janet Cooper
Margaret Lindsay	...	Mrs. Cooper
Raymond Walburn	...	Mr. Layton
Ann Gillis	...	Letty Lou
Paul Cavanagh	...	Mr. Franklin Cooper
Billy Gilbert	...	Tolio
Kenneth Brown	...	Tolio's Son
Billy Lenhart	...	Tolio's Son
Frank Jenks	...	Uncle Dan
Shirley Mills	...	Cecilia Layton

Storyline

A young city girl from a poor family is invited to spend the summer at a camp for girls from wealthy families. At first made fun of and ridiculed because of her background, she determines to show the snooty rich girls she's just as good as they are.

---

Plot Keywords:

uniform | 

---

Genres:

Musical

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Traquina Querida

Filming Locations:

Roos Ranch, Santa Monica Mountains, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During mail call, the name Gloria Harkinson is called out. Gloria Harkinson was played by Deanna Durbin in Mad About Music, another production by Joe Pasternak, in 1938.

---

Connections

Followed by A Little Bit of Heaven (1940)

---

Soundtracks

Shepherd's Lullaby
(uncredited)
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

User Reviews

Is it Deanna or Shirley? Why no it's Gloria Jean trying to be both!

Somewhat sticky musical that served as minor star Gloria Jean's screen bow. While she has genuine talent she's not a strong enough screen presence to carry the burden of the film .

Obviously groomed to be the next Shirley Temple or Deanna Durbin (she's styled to resemble both) the camera doesn't love her the way it did those other two and where they sparkled and POPPED on screen she is a sweet nonentity. It doesn't help her cause that one of the actresses who is supposed to be supporting her, the charismatic Virginia Weidler, dominates their scenes and possessed that extra element Gloria lacked.

Stacked with a solid supporting cast this is a harmless diversion, however you will be longing for Deanna Durbin before its over, but it's about 15 minutes too long for the story its selling.