That Hagen Girl (1947)

Director: Peter Godfrey
Starring: Ronald Reagan, Shirley Temple, Rory Calhoun

Synopsis:
A girl is tormented by the small-town rumor mill when the man believed to secretly be her father returns.

Impressions:
I was interesting in giving this a shot because I wanted to see one of Shirley Temple's adult roles and having her play opposite Ronald Reagan served to sweeten the deal. It's a soap opera plot which is fairly unremarkable. The famous leads are the main draw. James Bond fans might also be interested that Miss Moneypenny Lois Maxwell plays a sympathetic teacher (who was only a year older than Temple). Some people might find the ending uncomfortable. (Reagan himself felt the same way.) If you like the idea of small-town melodrama, give it a watch. Otherwise, you may not find it a worthwhile investment of your time.

Rating:
50/50