Blondie Goes to College

Blondie Goes to College is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer. The film stars Penny Singleton as Blondie, Arthur Lake as Dagwood, and Larry Simms as Alexander, forming part of the popular Columbia Pictures comedy series based on the comic strip "Blondie," created by Murat Bernard "Chic" Young.

In this cinematic installment, Blondie and Dagwood Bumstead spice up their typical small-town living routine, with their sights set on an educational adventure. The plot primarily revolves around the couple deciding to enroll at State University, intending to make their son, Baby Dumpling (Larry Simms), proud in showing him the importance of education.

The twist in their plan comes to light as Dagwood has to pass an entrance exam before he is admitted, which he fails. Consequently, the initially joint venture turns into a solo one with Blondie having to navigate college life on her own.

Penny Singleton delivers a hilarious and delightful performance as the ever-so bubbly Blondie, managing to charm her way into the hearts of her classmates and teachers while trying to balance her household responsibilities back in her suburban home. Singleton, as Blondie, breathes life into the university dynamics with her memorable comic timing and quirky humor while trying to stay on top of her college assignments and the roller-coaster of personal and social challenges.

Arthur Lake as Dagwood is not too far behind in creating the comic environment. Although he is not able to get admission, Lake’s Dagwood doesn't fully stay out of the college scene. He still manages to involve himself in a series of hilarious escapades, giving rise to more truths about family life and the struggles of adult-student life.

Larry Simms as the couple’s lovable son, Baby Dumpling, further adds a charming element to the narrative by delivering his innocent opinions and reactions towards his parents' new venture, providing a warm sentiment to the domestic side of the movie.

The plot is filled with amusing complications that stem from their unconventional decisions, including Blondie combating the college's strict rules about married students when it comes to light that she has a husband and a child. This, in turn, opens up a whirlwind of chaos and comic uproar within the college campus and simultaneously in their small town.

The film does an excellent job of merging the sense of domestic warmth with college livelihood. It captures elements of collegiate life – student personalities, extracurricular activities, the fresher and senior dynamic, and the academic environment – with defined comic exaggerations. All these elements cumulatively add a youthful vibe to the story.

The dialogue and dynamic of the film are classic to the 1940s era, with a vibrant screenplay that magnifies its comedic value. However, underneath the humor, this film also manages to subtly emphasize the importance of family values, education, and the challenges of balancing social and family life, making it more than just a comedy flick.

The characters are brought to life in vibrant Technicolor, and the set designs are thorough and meticulously detail-oriented to provide an authentic representation of the overall setting of the film - both the university campus and the warm home of the Bumsteads. The background score enhances the narrative, setting the right tones for the comedic and more serious scenes.

Despite being one of the many sequels in the successful "Blondie" franchise, Blondie Goes to College manages to stand out on its own, offering a new, unique storyline that successfully keeps viewers captivated. Audiences familiar with the comic strip and previous films will appreciate the continuity of these funny and lovable characters, but newcomers will also be drawn to the humor, charm, and nostalgic depiction of life in this mid-century American comedy.

In conclusion, Blondie Goes to College embodies its precedent "Blondie" series films' essence with the perfectly replicated characters and witty humor, while also offering a fresh plot full of comedic antics set against a backdrop of a lively college and the Bumsteads' suburban household. It is an enjoyable family comedy film that encapsulates, with a lighthearted approach, the trials, tribulations, and joys of domestic life and higher education during the 1940s in America. Therefore, it’s a timeless classic that's a must-watch for fans of the genre.