Rock Hudson's first speaking role will absolutely ruin your life (in a good way).
Professor Brookfield along with daughters Peggy and Susan move to small town Pasadena, California. Their new neighbor Mrs. Fielding helps them move in, and urges the girls to participate in the annual Rose Bowl beauty pageant. Meanwhile Mrs. Fielding's son Tom makes eyes at Peggy but she's smitten with a famous football star so she tries to redirect his interest to Susan.
Acting
Charlotte Greenwood's eccentric aunt energy steals every scene.
Costume
Rose Bowl pageant gowns that scream 'we had a budget, barely.'
Director
Frederick de Cordova
Diana Lynn
Peggy Brookfield
Charles Coburn
Professor Brookfield
Charlotte Greenwood
Mrs. Emilia Fielding
Barbara Lawrence
Susan Brookfield
Charles Drake
Tom Fielding
Rock Hudson
Johnny "Scat" Mitchell
Connie Gilchrist
Miss Zim, the Nurse
Griff Barnett
Dr. Philip Wilcox
James Todd
Mr. Gardiner
Jerome Cowan
Fred Collins
Charles Trowbridge
Dean William Stockwell
Ellen Corby
Mrs. Privet, the Librarian
Donna Martell
Contestant
James Best
Frank Addison
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Rock Hudson's first credited speaking role—Universal had him on a $150/week contract and barely let him talk.
The real Rose Bowl Queen pageant was massive postwar Americana; this film cashed in while mocking it gently.
US
