Luisa

It's a pity this one isn't available on video or otherwise, I'd acquire it at the drop of a hat!

Thoroughly delightful comedy about romantic seniors (Ch. Coburn and Edmund Gwenn) competing for the love of a sweet granny, Louisa (Spring Byington) who still has much to offer in charm, grace and joy of living.

There's heated rivalry between the two older men, and there's frustrated annoyance from the younger teen set (Piper Laurie and her beau, Scotty Beckett), and the middle-aged family members (Ronald Reagan and patient wife Meg, played by Ruth Hussey). Inevitably there are clashes, tempers flare and varied misunderstandings arise, but all comes right in the end, of course. This is a scintillating comedy with never a dull moment.

I love that delightful scene of Ch. Coburn as Abel Burnside, wading into the pond, trousers soaked, and gallantly picking flowers to offer his lady love, "Louisa", which is also the title of this movie.

Top grades for this one.

This film about falling in love after 60 could have easily descended into sentimental sappiness, but its intelligently funny script and fine comedic acting by its principals keeps it light and heartwarming. Spring Byington is charmingly vivacious without losing her dignity; Edmund Gwenn is cherubic and wise as the grocer suitor, and Charles Coburn as his tycoon rival reveals once again why he was one of the best character actors in the business. Stars Ronald Reagan and Ruth Hussey do well with what is essentially strong supporting roles as Byington's put-upon son and daughter-in-law. All in all, an entertaining hour and a half.

Though future president Ronald Reagan is top billed in Louisa the accent is Hollywood's senior citizens as we are treated to golden age romantic triangle involving Edmund Gwenn, Charles Coburn, and Spring Byington. Love is lovelier the second time around as the song goes at least for two of them.

Reagan is a successful executive who has landed a big promotion from his boss Charles Coburn and he's married to Ruth Hussey with kids Piper Laurie and Jimmy Hunt. Spring is his mother and she lives with them. I know how that is because I had a paternal grandmother living with me and believe me she wasn't as nice as Spring Byington.

Still Spring is made to feel like a fifth wheel in the household and so she starts looking for some companionship and she finds it with Edmund Gwenn who owns a grocery store and has an interesting background. One night Coburn comes over in the middle of family dinner and he shows an interest in Spring.

That has to be exciting for one of Spring's age and now my age to be the love object in a romantic triangle. She's got a new lease on life and the girl just struts her stuff.

Louisa got some Oscar consideration when it received a nomination for Best Sound recording. It's a pleasant enough family comedy and it holds up well because it has some forever themes about it.

This seems to be the only place where this film is acknowledged, and it seems that elsewhere it has dropped out of existence. A pity because it is a charming film mainly about people over sixty falling in love with each other. This is not a usual focus, even now, and the acting is excellent. Ronald Reagan is given top billing where the great Spring Byington is not. Supported by Charles Coburn and Edmund Gwenn as her suitors the three make a wonderful trio. Which one will she marry ? This causes disruption in the very conservative household of Ronald Reagan and the sadly unused Ruth Hussey who was so good in ' The Philadelphia Story ' Piper Laurie is their daughter and Scotty Beckett her ' intellectual ' boyfriend. But it is Spring Byington who steals the film, and very good in other films she glows with charm and intelligence in this. The dance sequence where Charles Coburn and Edmund Gwenn wrestle literally for her attention is a gem of a scene, and for that alone this elusive film is worth tracking down. Is it dated ? Yes, in many ways but there is a remaining freshness about its approach to the elderly in love which brings humanity and understanding to a subject not treated enough in the cinema. I would give it more points but Reagan's weakness as a lead actor prevents me.

There is an unfair urban legend about the late 40th President of the United States that all his films were awful except for "Knute Rockne, All American" and "King's Row". Actually Ronald Reagan did more good films than most people realize - he was in supporting roles in "Boy Meets Girl" and "Dark Victory", he did nicely in "Brother Rat", "The Voice Of The Turtle" and (surprise!) "Bedtime For Bonzo", and he again gave good support to the trio of old troopers who star in this film.

"Louisa" is that rarity - a romantic comedy about the loves of elderly people. Spring Byington is the mother of Ronald Reagan, and she meets his new employer, Charles Coburn. Byington is perky and intelligent and graceful, and she captivates Coburn. So far so good. Unfortunately she already has met Edmund Gwenn, a poorer man than Coburn but just as smitten. Both men proceed to pursue her, and to try to derail each other's campaign for her. Coburn, being richer (and Reagan's employer) is in a better position - especially after he finds a secret regarding Gwenn's past that can blast his chances. Or will it boomerang and make Gwenn more sympathetic?

The three old pros carry this film - one of the two best films for elderly performers (with Monty Wooley's "As Young As You Feel") made in the 1950s. Both reaffirm that there is plenty of life in the older set than we usually think. And Reagan does well, upset to see his mother Byington not acting...well as a mother should. He is also jittery about his business future every time Coburn sees Gwenn visiting. A nice little comedy. Ronnie was in some good ones you know.