My Pal Gus

Word around school at the time was you had to see Foghorn Winslow to believe it. So we all trooped dutifully to the theatre where we heard this little kid sound like an adult who'd had about 1,000 cigarettes too many. Plus, he had this Buster Keaton deadpan that never changed expression. So we all laughed at a kid who didn't look or sound like any kid we knew. And a good thing he was pretty funny because I don't remember caring much for the adult end.

Now I can appreciate the adult end even though the movie sags a bit in the middle. I guess it's to the credit of the Kanin's that the story is as generally intelligent as it is. After all, most of us simply assume it's kids who need to be sensitized into an adult world and not vice-versa. But the movie shows us how sometimes the latter is more important than the former; that is, if we're going to succeed with the former. The ending too is a good little lesson in values, though I'm not sure how many folks could make the same gutsy decision Dave (Widmark) does.

Looks like Widmark was looking for a career change since a suburban dad seems a little tame for the likes of Tommy Udo, Kiss of Death (1947). He does surprisingly well, especially as the hard-driving business tycoon. But I'd really like to enroll in whatever school Miss Marble (Dru) is teaching at. She's a knockout, making it hard to believe there're not a hundred guys crowding around her. On the other end, I hope they paid Totter double for impersonating a mother from heck.

Anyhow, I'm glad I caught up again with this little programmer after so many years. Despite my much earlier impression, there really is a lot more to the movie than an unusual little kid, good as he is.

Richard Widmark is so adorable in this movie! If this was the first movie he ever made, instead of Kiss of Death, he would have had an entirely different career. He would have played nice, lovable guys, fathers, love interests - he might have even played alongside Frank Sinatra in Guys and Dolls - talk about the battle of the blue eyes!

He plays a single dad in this movie, and he enrolls his young son, George Winslow, in a daycare run by Joanne Dru. It's no surprise that he and Joanne fall in love, but can she help soften his edges? He's a businessman at heart who prioritizes work ahead of family. When he realizes how much his son needs him, how will he change? Or will his ex-wife, Audrey Totter, come back into the picture and ruin everything?

My Pal Gus is really sweet, but chances are you haven't heard of it. Richard Widmark isn't really famous for making cute movies. Try to find a copy of it if you can, because he's just too cute for words. There's something so endearing about a gangster-type reading stories to children. Remember how cute Brian Donlevy was in The Great McGinty? Now it's Dick's turn, and it's so easy to root for him and hope he, George, and Joanne can all work out together.

Any movie with George " Foghorn " Winslow is fun ! I know that's a generalization of the first magnitude , but it happens to be true. This is a little movie - but a good one . It's definitely a 50's style family affair . Richard Widmark softens his act and comes across as very believable . When " Foghorn " is on screen , however , the film belongs to him . Enjoy .

I just caught most of MY PAL GUS on the Fox movie channel early this morning. Boasting Richard Widmark as a single parent to a preschool boy (frog sounding George Winslow) and the lovely Joanne Dru as the boy's teacher, I thought I'd give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised.

Here is a portrayal of a parent who can't deal with his precocious child and seeks help with a professional. He's a successful, self made business man and getting help is something he rarely does.

***Spoiler Alerts***

We follow Dave Jennings (Widmark) through his frustrating efforts to cope with the school's (and it's administrator's, Dru's Lydia Marble) demands for active participation. Widmark is awkward, annoyed and at times funny as he struggles with his softer side. As Dru converts a "jerk into a parent" his feelings for her deepen and she eventually relents. She of course is a teacher to both son and father.

But paradise is threatened by the cold, conniving ex-wife and boy's mother Joyce (Audrey Totter). She left her family high and dry when the boy was an infant but is back looking for a payoff.

A custody battle ensues and both sides get what they want...or do they? This of course endangers all concerned...father-son and Dave-Lydia. I won't spoil the outcome but the battle is largely Dave's fault. He's not willing to settle out of court, so sure he'll win, as he has with everything. The spectre of losing his son and his love guides him in the end.

Great to watch Widmark, though still the tough guy in a different role. What I liked best is that it's not sappy or hokey. Dad doesn't have to do something to win over his child or gain the support of his woman, just be a loving man. Dru is good as Widmark's patient love. Joan Banks is Widmark's capable personal assistant Ivy, Regis Toomey his lawyer.

Nice companion to 1953's TROUBLE ALONG THE WAY (John Wayne-Donna Reed).

I am disappointed that George Winslow has never gotten more credit for being one of the most adorable child actors of all time. I also regret that the movie, "My Pal Gus" has never been released on video. I loved the movie and have looked and looked for it to show up on TCM or AMC. It was a very enjoyable movie with top actors, i.e. Richard Widmark and Jo Ann Dru along with George Winslow; one of which you just don't get any more. I would love for my children and grandchildren to be able to see these movies as well. I did see The Scoutmaster once in the last year or so,but as far as I know, that was the only time in the last several years. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would also like to see it again. Please pass it on that movies like these are never forgotten and I would request that you pass it on to whoever it matters that it would be very appreciated if My Pal Gus could be offered on video. Thank you very much for your consideration in this matter and the chance to tell you this. Jo Ann Clark