Watch Daddy Long Legs

"Daddy Long Legs" is a delightful musical rom-com from 1955 that tells the story of a young French girl named Julie Andre (Leslie Caron) who receives an anonymous scholarship to attend college in America. The scholarship is provided by a wealthy philanthropist whom she nicknames 'Daddy Long Legs' because she's never seen him before. Along with the scholarship, she receives a condition that she writes a letter to Daddy Long Legs every month, explaining her progress at college.

Fred Astaire plays the role of Jervis Pendleton III, the mysterious millionaire who has anonymously sponsored Julie's schooling. He discovers that he receives great pleasure from helping Julie, even though she does not know her benefactor's identity. Although Jervis has no intention of revealing his identity and meeting Julie face to face, she continues to write to Daddy Long Legs and grows increasingly fond of the kind and understanding persona she has attributed to her benefactor over the years.

As the film progresses, Julie starts to enjoy her college experience, struggles with her studies, and falls in love with the worldly Jervis through his charming letters. When Jervis visits the college and meets Julie without revealing his true identity, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to her. However, he must keep up his Daddy Long Legs facade, and the lovers remain unaware of each other's true selves.

The musical numbers are delightful and keep the pace of the story going well. Astaire's suave and sophisticated dancing is, as always, a marvel to watch, and Caron is adorable and perfectly cast as the spunky but naive Julie. The story is simple, but the chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their performances are charming enough to carry the film's somewhat predictable plot.

The film's colorful setting, which switches between Manhattan and scenic New England, enhances the romantic atmosphere of the movie. The endearing storyline is both entertaining and, at times, a heartwarming one. There are moments of laughter, tears, and even a bit of drama thrown in, culminating in an emotional and satisfying climax.

It is clear that "Daddy Long Legs" is a film that aims to capture audiences' hearts with its strong emotional pull. With its engaging musical sequences, charming leads, and a storyline that manages to be both simple and engaging, "Daddy Long Legs" is sure to provide an audience with a good time. Overall, it's a classic movie that embodies the romanticism of a bygone era that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of viewers.

Daddy Long Legs is a 1955 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.