My Pal Gus

"My Pal Gus" is a very enjoyable family film. However, late in the story there's a plot twist that didn't make sense to me or my aunt who was watching with me. Fortunately, it didn't harm the movie too much...but it reduces the score I expected to give it from 8 to 7.

Dave Jennings (Richard Widmark) is a very successful man...at least when it comes to his business. But when it comes to raising his young son, Gus (George Winslow), he is a failure. This is because after his awful wife left him because he wasn't successful enough for her, he became all business...making him rich but neglecting the boy in the process.

After having every possible governess refuse to work for him because the boy is out of control, he enrolls the boy in a local preschool, as the teacher (Joanne Dru) turns out to be exactly what the family needs. Now that things are going wonderfully, you know SOMETHING bad must happen, as it's only halfway through the movies. The what turns out to be Dave's selfish ex-wife....and what comes next, you'll have to see for yourself.

I don't want to give away too much of the story, but late in the movie there's a court hearing and the judge's decision simply made no sense. I am actually surprised the writer of the film didn't notice this....but my aunt and I were baffled by this illogical plot twist. Still, despite this, the story is engaging and well worth your time. Just try to suspend disbelief at the wonky part of the story!

Once again, we have an example here of a movie that has been lost to the limbo of cable TV somewhere.

It is unfortunate that when AMC lost Nick Clooney as a host, and decided that movies 5 or 10 years old and in COLOR should be CLASSICS, and then chose to forget about some movies that were 'middle-aged', (being from the '50s) and black & white.

Talk about discrimination !!!

Well, maybe Turner Classics or the Fox Movie channel may think otherwise someday, but for now we seem to be deprived of some real treasures.

For example, here is a family classic deserving of praise, as well as being seen much more often.

Here we have tough-guy Richard Widmark showing off his 'soft side' and his parenting skills.

Or, rather the lack of them.

It seems that his son Gus, played by George Winslow (old 'Foghorn')is not behaving himself, so his frustrated male parent takes him to a nursery school, run by Joanne Dru.

As we all know, or should know, Ms Dru is not the usual image one would conjure as a 'schoolmarm', which also doesn't escape the notice of Mr Widmark.

While it is not long before Gus is well-behaved, now the father wants to stay after school with 'teacher'.

Naughty, Naughty !!!!

Well, not really !!!

You see, Father is divorced and has sole custody of the child, (a rare thing in the 1950's), and considering wife Carolyn Jones and HER parenting skills, who can blame the court.

It appears that being a businessman takes a great deal out of his time (Widmark runs a company that makes ice-cream and candy).

WHAT ????????

Yes, you heard right, tough-guy RW makes bons-bons, not BOMB-BOMBS !!!

Anyway the teacher obliges by tutoring Father about kids in general, and in so doing allowing him to win his son's love and respect, and in the end winning the teacher's hand.

But, things don't work out well when his wife names the teacher in her divorce action, resulting in a nasty trial that nearly undoes everything.

But my friends, trust old time Hollywood to win the day, as all turns out well in the end.

Of course, this was the usual Hollywood studio effort before television and the studio system was broken up to make room for those NEW CLASSICS on AMC.

Too bad Hollywood had to grow up !!!!

Hope we don't !!!

And I hope we see this gem again real soon.

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

I saw "My Pal Gus" many years ago, in Australia, but it is one of the movies that have remained in my memory ever since. I think the main reason I enjoyed this particular film was because it was so different from the usual roles that Richard Widmark played. This is one of the films that I would enjoy seeing again as it would be interesting to see how it has stood up to the "test of time". I particularly remember the scene at the kindergarten where the children were playing in the dirt, which culminated in Richard Widmark having a rather unusual taste treat, and some of the children had questions his character found difficult to answer. A really enjoyable film, without any bad language, torrid love scenes or violence - a great family film.

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 .