Papá se casa

In the period between Sadie (28) and Sunset Blvd (50), Gloria Swanson's movie roles were rare (8) and critical review just medium. But in Father Takes a Wife, her still gorgeous glims, deftness at dialogue and flair for funny makes one wonder what might've been had she the opportunities of the slightly younger Joan Crawford (08) and Greta Garbo (05), the former set to soar (The Women), the latter leaving her best "faces" in the Silents. Directed by Jack Hively (The Saint, Lassie TV), Father co-stars Adolph Menjou, Mary Treen, Helen Broderick, Neil Hamilton, Grady Sutton, Desi Arnaz, Florence Rice and John Howard as jealous Junior, the stepson (2.5/4).

It's hard to imagine that this enjoyable comedy lost money when it debuted, as it's witty and fun. However, lost money it did.

"Father Takes a Wife" begins with Freddie (Adolph Menjou) behaving like a love-struck teen--even though he's in his 50s and the head of a major shipping company. He doesn't care, as he's planning on marrying Leslie (Gloria Swanson). But, there is a slight problem--both Freddie and Leslie are rather stubborn and several times this leads to problems. The first is minor and occurs on their wedding day. The second, and MUCH more serious, begin during their honeymoon. An incredibly egotistical 'singing genius', Carlos (Desi Arnez), stows away on their ship. At first the couple befriend him, as Carlos is quite charming. However, their friendship and patience is tested when he moves in with them and Leslie decides to be his sponsor. Not surprisingly, Freddie is jealous--not just because she could be having an affair but because he feels so left out! Now you'd think things would get better when Freddie's grown children take Carlos in, but it doesn't. What's next for this young old couple?

This is a great example of a film whose plot is ridiculous BUT you can really enjoy the film if you turn off your brain and don't think about this. This is because the characters are wonderful (especially Arnez and Helen Broderick) and the dialog very clever and funny. A nice little time-passer.

Adolphe Menjou, Gloria Swanson, Desi Arnaz, John Howard, with Helen Broderick and Florence Rice star in "Father Takes a Wife," from 1941.

Much is made of the fact in this film that shipping magnate Frederick Osborne Sr. (Menjou) is marrying a much younger woman in the famous actress Leslie Collier (Swanson). We see him exercising and doing different things to try and stay young. In truth, Menjou was around 50-51 when this movie was made, and Swanson was around 42. Not much of an age difference.

Fred Jr. (Howard) is shocked and worried -- dad has a temper, is used to getting his way, and Leslie, alas, is the same way. In fact they quarrel immediately before and after the wedding.

Their honeymoon is a sea voyage, and Fred meets Carlos (Desi Arnaz), who is a stowaway, going to New York to make it as a singer. Fred takes pity on him and wants him to stay with him and Leslie at their home.

When Leslie hears this, she hits the ceiling. Fred is thinking that since Leslie promised to quit acting, helping Carlos in show business will give her the attention she has always had. She says no.

When she is introduced to Carlos, suddenly she's all smiles and insisting he stay with them. Carlos has his own floor but he still manages to drive them insane singing the same passages over and over as he prepares for his debut, arranged by Leslie. Between the singing and the lack of attention from Leslie, Fred Sr. leaves and goes to his son's home.

Junior and Enid decide to let Carlos stay with them. Father and son then get together and decide they need to somehow have Carlos' career take place elsewhere.

I actually enjoyed the Desi Arnaz sequences the best. They were very funny. Carlos is first off, a complete egomaniac, and his rehearsals would drive anyone insane.

Swanson is very good, but this really isn't much of a story for her. She doesn't come off as Fred's young wife at all and for me, her performance was more of a stage performance.

Menjou also was very good, but I felt they made an odd couple. Each would have done better with someone else playing their spouse. For Menjou, maybe Claudette Colbert, who was 39 at the time but less aggressive; and for Swanson, perhaps Edward Arnold, who would have been funny exercising etc.

Worth seeing especially for Swanson. There are certainly opportunities to see her on film, but not a heck of a lot, and she usually played more exotic roles. This is a chance to see her in something slightly different.

Legendary silent screen superstar Gloria Swanson comes to the rescue of this tepid romantic comedy. Her screen appearances in talkies are rare enough to make every one of them a "must-see" for devotees of show business in general and films in specific.

Here, the iconic actress actually plays second fiddle to lead Adolphe Menjou. She gamely jumps into this very minor programmer lending it a glossy sheen with her unique charm and style. Never really an actress know for her comedic skills, Swanson here demonstrates her skill at it and it apparent that she enjoys the genre.

The plot may be as lightweight as a champagne bubble, but Swanson's melodious voice and her glamorous facade certainly elevate the proceedings to a very enjoyable eighty minutes. And old pro Menjou makes a good fit for her costar because of both his age and his height, and the audience can easily believe in their relationship. Able support also comes from dashing and boyish Desi Arnaz and droll Helen Broderick.

Swanson sports some fantastic and outrageous costumes sure to delight every fan of Hollywood fashion in the 1940's. The fur ensemble that she wears in the play within the movie is off the charts in terms of luxurious glamor and style. Anyone fascinated by the beautiful and impracticable costumes of Hollywood designers will have a field day here.

If not for Swanson, I'd give this movie four out of ten stars, but because of her -- I'll add two more!

A business magnate retires to enjoy his marriage to a famous actress, much to his adult son's annoyance. Mediocre comedy from RKO that initially looks as though it might cover new ground, but which quickly falls back on the usual formula of marital suspicion and misunderstandings when immigrant singer Desi Arnaz shows up.