The Trouble with Angels (1966)

The Trouble with Angels is the kind of bright, big-hearted comedy that sneaks up on you: it starts with mischievous schoolgirl mayhem and, almost without announcing itself, deepens into something genuinely tender about growing up and seeing authority figures as human. Ida Lupino keeps the tone light on its feet—pranks, petty rebellions, and convent routines play like a clean, classic crowd-pleaser—while letting Hayley Mills’ spark and Rosalind Russell’s steel-and-softness create a delicious comic tug-of-war. What makes it special is its warmth: even when it’s being “silly fluff,” it treats the nuns and the girls with sympathy, so the laughs land without cruelty and the quieter moments feel earned. If you’re allergic to old-fashioned, wholesome studio charm, it may feel gentle by modern standards, but if you want an entertaining, comforting film with real heart under the hijinks, this one’s an easy yes.

The Trouble with Angels is aiming for a warm, mischievous coming-of-age comedy inside a strict convent school, with Hayley Mills and June Harding as the prank-happy sparks and Rosalind Russell providing the steel backbone. The problem is it can feel more like a string of cute set pieces than a truly lived-in school story, with gags and conflicts that repeat often enough to dull their bite and pacing that drifts between incidents. If you’re hoping for sharp satire, realism, or a plot that builds with real momentum, this may come off as formulaic and a bit too tidy. Still, it has an easy, family-friendly charm and a surprisingly sincere, gentle turn toward maturity that will work best if you’re in the mood for a nostalgic, low-stakes comfort watch.