Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front

What’s the Story?

AMERICAN GIRL ON THE HOME FRONT takes place in Jefferson, Ill., in 1943, and Molly McIntyre (Maya Ritter) and her other friends in the third grade are obsessed with movie stars and their lovely teacher, Miss Campbell (Sarah Manninen). Molly's world changes when her doctor father (David Aaron Baker) enlists and her mother Helen (Molly Ringwald) takes a job in a machinery plant. Emily (Tory Green), a young English evacuee, comes to live with the family to escape the London bombing and brings with her personal stories of the war. Molly gets a first-hand understanding of the need to sacrifice in support of the war effort, deferring her own needs and feelings to help the greater good. She learns to empathize with her strict neighbor and the initially reserved Emily, and family support takes center-stage. And, Molly is determination to be crowned "Miss Victory," the lead dancer in a school tap dance show, despite her lack of obvious talents.

Is It Any Good?

Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front is a heartfelt and entertaining movie. Molly learns about sacrifice, compassion, and self-confidence as she and her family cope with the direct and indirect impacts of World War II. The movie moves along at a good clip, interspersing newsreel footage and radio broadcasts in a manner that educates kids about life on the home front during WWII without them even realizing it. Period costumes, music, and sets make the story sparkle. Ritter is earnest and enthusiastic in her role, and more natural than some of the adult actors in the movie.

As a nice touch, the DVD includes a captivating interview with a woman who tap-danced for USO shows during WWII, with dance instruction so viewers can replicate the Miss Victory tap dance.