Mother Is a Freshman (1949) User Reviews (9)

Back to college

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 1 August 2005]

"Mother is a Freshman" is a delightful comedy, a vehicle, no doubt, for its star, Loretta Young. As directed by LLoyd Bacon, "Mother is a Freshman" offers the kind of genteel entertainment that was harmless. The film, directed by LLoyd Bacon, offers a trip back to a more relaxed time.

Abigail Fortitude Abbott, is a widow living in Manhattan's Upper East Side. She seems to live in splendor, even though her funds are next to nothing. Her daughter Susan is going back to college in Connecticutt and both women must find out a way how to survive until the next payment to their inherited funds. They discover that Abigail's grandmother had a scholarship named after her for qualifying young women. What's the harm in trying? Next thing you know Abigail and Susan are on campus together.

Abigail wants to major in English Literature, so she must enroll in Prof. Richard Michaels' course. Prof. Michaels falls head over heels in love with the attractive new student. Little does Abigail know, but Susan, is crazy for Michaels as well. After some tension between the two women, common sense prevails and Abigail ends up with the professor and money in the bank.

Loretta Young had a magnetic personality and dominates the story. She was not a beautiful woman, but she photographed well and is always an asset in whatever she decided to appear in. Van Johnson is wonderful as Prof. Michaels. Rudy Vallee has some good moments as Abigail's lawyer. Betty Lynn plays Susan and Robert Arthur is Beaumont Jackson, the young man in love with Susan.

The film is an excuse to spend 81 minutes in good company.

Enjoyable fluff...

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 26 February 2011]

It's funny how times have changed. Back in 1949, people didn't think twice about the idea of a college professor dating one of their students--whereas nowadays that would get a professor fired at most colleges. So, when you see the film understand that times have indeed changed.

A mother (Loretta Young) and daughter (Betty Lynn--that's 'Thelma Lou' from "The Andy Griffith Show") have been living beyond their means on the late husband's trust fund. They now find themselves broke and in need of money. In a desperate move to get funds needed to keep the daughter in college, the mother decides to accept a scholarship--a scholarship that provides enough for both of them until they get their next trust fund check. At first, Young feels pretty awkward on campus but soon she settles into things. But, when the English professor who Lynn is infatuated with (Van Johnson) begins to show a lot of interest in Young, things are a bit awkward to say the least! See how all this plays out in this nice little comedy.

My feeling about this film is that it's a very slight movie--nothing that will change the world or make you go out of your way to see it. However, like a nice old hat or pair of gloves, it's a nice fit--and very comfortable. The actors are all very good, the film moves along at a nice pace and it's just a lot of fun. They don't make films like this anymore---and that's a shame.

Was College Ever Like This

[dougdoepke · 14 January 2015]

Because of a quirky trust left by her grandmother, 35-year old Abby goes to college where she and her 17-year old daughter get involved with a handsome professor. And-- as they say-- complications ensue.

The movie's 80-minutes of eye-catching fluff from TCF. The look is just right, with a glowing Technicolor perfect for an idealized storyline. Then too, dear Loretta gets to model an array of flattering fashion; plus I'm reminded of a post-war time when girls wore both sweaters and skirts. Ah, yes! The movie's a tartly amusing set-up, no belly laughs, but a few chuckles as the characters tangle and untangle. Fortunately, veteran director Bacon knows how to keep a light touch even through the more dramatic moments. It's also an attractive cast, even if Professor Johnson is something of an idealized stretch. Only teenage cutie Lynn is over the top, at times, while heart-throb Johnson appears privately amused with a sly grin throughout. All in all, this is Hollywood's dream factory hitting on all eight. And catch the naughty book that everyone's sneak-reading— probably seem as innocent now as Old Mother Hubbard. But then, this was a time when kids gathered at the malt shop to listen to swing bands on the jukebox. Fortunately, a lot of that upbeat innocence is reflected in this period piece. Nothing substantive here, just an easy way to pass an evening.

Mother is A Freshman- The Education of Life **1/2

[edwagreen · 6/10 · 2 January 2011]

We have some good themes here with the topics of maturity, going back to school later in life, and mother-daughter falling for the same guy.

Loretta Young stars as Abby Fortitude Abbot. Believe me, she had to have plenty of fortitude to star in this rather silly film.

Rudy Vallee briefly appears in this film as her lawyer and rival to Prof. Michaels, Van Johnson. Let's face it, the always wonderful Van Johnson is somewhat lost here in the role of the English literature professor.

These college pictures always make sure to go around the concentration of academics. College life is essentially one big cheer, rushes and dances. Even the old dean here is a little too friendly.

Johnson and Young fall in love in record time, especially with a film less than 1 1/2 hours in length.

Let's go back to the drawing board of our Alma Mater.

back to school

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 10 September 2020]

Abby Abbott (Loretta Young) and her teen daughter Susie live in a New York apartment with trust fund payments from her late husband. Susie needs additional money for college tuition but the ladies are cash strapped. Abby reluctantly asked the executor John Heaslip but he has romantic designs on her which she does not reciprocate. He turns her down and she is forced to seek a scholarship. Due to an unusual requirement and her maiden name Abigail Fortitude, she has to enroll along with her daughter and she falls for her professor.

This has an unusual premise and an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design. Quite frankly, the color film really sets off the clothing and probably helped with the nomination. Otherwise, this is a little stale and old. It's trying to be fun but Loretta Young is not having any. While there is danger of being uncovered, this is definitely low stake misadventure. The problem is that it's also low on comedic power and romantic intensity. Loretta Young is being melodramatic in her white gloves and pearl neckless. It falls flat for me.

A cute, Technicolor comedy

[earlytalkie · 10/10 · 25 February 2011]

"Mother Is A Freshman" is a slice of college life from a bygone era. The school itself looks like the kind of traditional schools that were around for generations. The cute story finds Mama going to school under a scholarship that only she can share with her daughter. Loretta Young was never more appealing than in this genteel comedy. Van Johnson plays the Professor that that both Mama and daughter (Betty Lynn) are unknowingly competing for. Rudy Vallee is along for the ride as a stuffy friend of Loretta's. The whole production is underscored by some nice, nostalgic music and wrapped up in pretty Technicolor. You could do a lot worse than to see this charming comedy.

Come to the Campus.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 17 April 2013]

After being "The Farmer's Daughter" and "The Bishop's Wife", there was no place for Loretta Young to go but down, and that she does, as a lowly freshman at Pierce College, just so daughter Barbara Lawrence (the dewey faced young actress of "All About Eve" fame) can continue her education because of a scholarship the college offers ironically to Young's surname. Of course, there's a romantic mix-up with mother and daughter as they both love the same professor (Van Johnson).

Young's transformation from matronly widow to buxom freshman is the highlight of this generic sitcom, a silly comedy with nary a laugh. Lawrence is a bit infantile and testy in spots as the well-meaning but immature co-ed with too many stars in her eyes to see the truth right in front of her. In a confrontation sequence with Young, she acts just like the later day Shirley Temple. Rudy Vallee is wasted in a rejected suitor role (Ralph Bellamy must have wisely turned it down) and it is really a stretch of the imagination that him and Johnson were fellow students together.

Technicolor college angst you don't want to miss!

[lhallak1 · 10/10 · 25 October 2012]

This film is a late classic film era gem even though it's a light comedy. Loretta Young glows in Academy Award nominated costumes by Kay Nelson, filmed in superb Technicolor thanks to Natalie Kalmus, as the mother of a college-age daughter played by Betty Lynn who needs money to continue her college courses. Mother comes to the rescue by taking advantage of a $3,000 endowment left by her grandmother, Abigail Fortitude, at Pointer College in Jefferson, CT. Both mother and daughter are soon enamored with English Literature Professor Richard Michaels, played by Van Johnson. The storyline is light, but the film captures 1949 college atmosphere and mores delightfully. Ah, the innocent days of college life! The story is a heart-warming blend of mother love, first love angst, and romantic twists and turns among two generations of women in the same family. It's not high drama but If innocence and modesty rate with you, you'll love it. Loretta Young plays the mother of a college student with wisdom and aplomb, making this film one of her "must-see's" for her fans of all ages. 1949, the year this film was released, was also the year that I was born, so it's also a delightful post-war film which baby-boomers will appreciate. The DVD release is gorgeous! So settle back with some popcorn and enjoy!