Mother Is A Freshman (1949)

When a widow (Loretta Young) goes to college after raising a family, she finds herself the romantic rival of  of a fellow student (Betty Lynn) for the affections of a handsome professor (Van Johnson, borrowed from MGM). What makes it awkward is that the student is her daughter! Directed by Lloyd Bacon (FOOTLIGHT PARADE), this Technicolor comedy is only moderately amusing and its resolution never in doubt. Anyone expecting the fireworks of the mother/daughter rivalry of MILDRED PIERCE or THE GRADUATE is going to be disappointed. Young is a bit stiff and can't seem to relax. During the school dance sequence, I was hoping some youngster would grab her and do a wild jitterbug but alas, she remains ladylike throughout. Pleasant is about the nicest thing you can say about it. Kay Nelson's costumes got an Oscar nomination. With Rudy Vallee, Barbara Lawrence, Robert Arthur and Kathleen Hughes.