SargeGoesToCollege(1947) The Teen-Agers #5

Released May 13, 1947. Volume five of Monogram's "The Teen-Agers" series. Having graduated high school in the last movie, the gang has moved on to San Juan Junior College (hilarity ensues.) They only vaguely reference attending classes, but of course they're helping to put on the big show (hilarity ensues.) Sarge (played by Alan "Skipper" Hale Jr) enters the scene as a temporary military transfer, and the gang soon adopt him due to the local housing scarcity (hilarity straight out of Three's Company ensues.) Heartstrings are vigorously yanked as Sarge's backstory is revealed leading up to a very sweet but surreal ending. There's a lot not to like about Sarge Goes to College: the lack of HIPAA protections, brothers being forced to dance with their sisters, dropped storylines, and Skipper's constant screwed-up face of confusion acting style which makes you yearn for his Olivier caliber reading's of "Oooof, GilliGANNN!" For me, the biggest letdown was Noel Neill's character no longer works for the school paper and so not once did we get to hear "What a scoop this will make for the Town Crier!" But once those flaws are recognized and dispatched, the rest of the movie is a treasure. Lots of great swing performances, goofy dances, and warm-hearted corniness. Freddie Stewart ... Freddie Trimball June Preisser ... Dodie Rogers Frankie Darro ... Roy Donne Warren Mills ... Lee Watson Noel Neill ... Betty Rogers Alan Hale Jr. ... Sarge Arthur Walsh ... Arthur Walsh Monte Collins ... Dean McKinley Frank Cady ... Prof. Edwards Margaret Brayton ... Miss Koregmeyer Selmer Jackson ... Marine Capt. R.S. Handler Earl Bennett ... Eddie Margaret Bert ... Mrs. Rogers Harry Tyler ... Mr. Rogers Pat Goldin ... Rooming House Manager William Forrest ... Col. Winters Irwin Kaufman ... Buddy Russ Morgan and His Orchestra Jack McVea and His Orchestra The Jam Session