Billy Wilder's mischievous delight in slipping risqué comedy past the censors by cloaking it in drag (e.g., Some Like It Hot) is already evident in this captivating 1942 comedy, which marked his American directorial debut. Ginger Rogers, worldly-wise but down-and-out in New York City, attempts to get back home to Iowa by train at half-fare, posing as a pig-tailed 12-year-old. Army Major Ray Milland, doing homefront duty at a military school for boys, falls for the ruse. Endeavoring to help the “child” in every possible way, he offers her shelter in his Pullman and later escorts her to the academy, where the cadets themselves prove wolves in sheep's clothing. A clever script by Wilder and Charles Brackett, and an excellent supporting cast including Robert Benchley, keep the film in loco-motion. (JB)