The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" (1947)
Context: In this romantic comedy, Shirley Temple, aged 17 but playing a high schooler, develops a crush on an older artist, Richard Nugent (Cary Grant). The film treats her infatuation as a humorous, youthful fantasy, with Richard clearly uninterested romantically and humoring her to avoid trouble.
Example Moment: Susan (Temple) declares her admiration for Richard, who responds with awkward, lighthearted deflection, clearly viewing her as a kid. The adults around her, including her sister, find her crush amusing, and the plot revolves around resolving this misunderstanding.
Relevance: While Susan is a teenager, the dynamic mirrors the trope of a younger character’s affection being met with gentle, non-serious responses.
"Gigi" (1958)
Context: In this musical, Gigi (Leslie Caron) is a young girl being groomed to be a courtesan in Parisian society. As a younger character, she playfully expresses affection for Gaston (Louis Jourdan), an older family friend. Early in the film, her feelings are treated as childish, and Gaston humors her affectionately, with no romantic intent until she matures later in the story.
Example Moment: Gigi’s early interactions with Gaston include playful declarations of admiration, which he brushes off with a smile, treating her like a little sister. These scenes emphasize her youth and his paternal attitude at that stage.
Note: The film later develops a romance, but the early scenes fit the trope of a child’s crush being humored innocently.
Cultural Context: In older films (pre-1970s), such scenes were often included for lighthearted humor, reflecting a time when precocious child characters were a common comedic device. The adult’s response is typically paternal or avuncular, with no suggestion of genuine romantic interest, aligning with the social norms of the era.
Modern Lens: Today, these scenes can feel uncomfortable due to changed societal views on age dynamics and consent. However, in their original context, they were intended as innocent and comedic, often showcasing the child’s naivety and the adult’s kindness.
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