Teenage Rebel (1956)

Nancy Fallon gets custody of her teenage daughter Dodie back from her ex-husband when she remarries but she must win her love.

Director:

Edmund Goulding

Writers:

Charles Brackett, Edmund Goulding

Stars:

Ginger Rogers, Michael Rennie, Mildred Natwick

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ginger Rogers	...	Nancy Fallon
Michael Rennie	...	Jay Fallon
Mildred Natwick	...	Grace Hewitt
Rusty Swope	...	Larry Fallon
Lili Gentle	...	Gloria
Louise Beavers	...	Willamay
Irene Hervey	...	Helen Sheldon McGowan
John Stephenson	...	Eric McGowan
Betty Lou Keim	...	Dorothy 'Dodie' McGowan
Warren Berlinger	...	Dick Hewitt
Diane Jergens	...	Jane Hewitt

Storyline

A sometimes sappy, yet effective melodrama about a woman who tries to make amends with her teenage daughter that she gave up at the end of an unhappy marriage. When Nancy Fallon's daughter, Dorothy, is sent to live with her and her new family after years of separation, the struggle to maintain some semblance of family quickly deteriorates. (Nancy's ex-husband was able to persuade the courts to let him keep the girl because the mother was seen as unfit.) Now Dorothy's father has an interest other than his daughter and to appease his new interest, he asks Nancy to take and raise their daughter. This begins a tumultuous time in Dorothy's life as well as her mothers.

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Plot Keywords:

teenage girl | teenager | stepfather | rebelliousness | mother daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

ENTERTAINMENT FOR EVERYBODY except parents with a guilty conscience!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Betty Lou Keim and Warren Berlinger (Dodie and Dick) were married four years after they met during the making of this film. Keim retired from movies in 1960 in order to take care of their children; they had a long and happy marriage.

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Quotes

Nancy Fallon: No one is ever quite the way we want them to be - no one.Most of all, we ourselves are not. But you can't go on resenting people. The mother you wanted... you will have to be yourself for your children."

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Connections

References D-Day the Sixth of June (1956)

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Soundtracks

I'm in a Teenage Mood
Sung by Betty Lou Keim
Music and Lyrics by Ray Evans, Jay Livingston and Dorothy Fields

User Reviews

a really good teenpic

First of all, as has been pointed out, the title is God-awful, something from some of the sleazy '50s Z movies. Jeez, who dreamed that up? Was it a ploy to entice those who enjoy tastelessness?

This movie is sweet, funny, loaded with warmth. The story of a sort-of disconnected teenager is excellent. She is a child of divorce who bounces from un-warm dada to momma Ginger Rogers. (Remember when she was 15 in "The Major and the Minor"?) Michael Rennie is an odd choice for her husband, but he is excellent in the part. He even gets to dance with Ginger - tha "ka-tu boogie" I think).

The scene stealer is Betty Keim as the teen who has to be angry, loving, warm, confused. It was her first flick and she did quite a lot of work after that - and she deserved it.

Warren Berlinger was also introduced in this movie and, as another critic pointed out, they eventually became husband and wife. How fuzzy puppy can you get?

The movie is an unusual entry for 20th Century Fox. They spent no money on technicolor but, no matter, it worked beautifully in black and white.

It shows the difference between the more carefree teeners of the '50s as opposed to today's young people.

I recommend this movie and it is one I will enjoy seeing again. The way FMC operates, there is a good chance of a repeat presentation - or three.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'enfant du divorce

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 90 min (FMC Library Print)

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.55:1