Louise

Edmund Gwenn and Charles Coburn were both wonderful character actors who enhanced many, many films with their charming presence. However, normally a Hollywood film of their era only featured one cute or grouchy old man...and that is why I love "Louisa" as it has a double dose of these guys with BOTH Gwenn and Coburn.

When the film begins, Hal Norton (Ronald Reagan) has come home with great news. However, he's very annoyed to see that instead of celebrating with him, his wife is in a tizzy because Hal's mother, Louisa (Spring Byington) is bored...and when she has nothing to do, Louisa sticks her big nose into everyone's business. So, after Hal talks to her, she decides she needs to get a life of her own outside this home. Soon, she begins dating...first with Mr. Hammond (Gwenn) and later with Hal's boss, Mr. Burnside (Coburn). Both men are absolutely infatuated with her and soon begin to make total fools of themselves...like a couple love-sick 16 year-olds! And as for Hal, he seems to be having a serious Oedipal fixation, as he's really hot and bothered that these men want his mommy.

Overall, this is a silly, fun and light-hearted film...the sort that they just don't make any more...but should. Cute and enjoyable from start to finish.

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.

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.

... and I don't mean the 1960s. Spring Byington is in the title role living with son Ronald Reagan and his family. Louisa is urged to get some interests outside the family, but be careful what you ask for.

Louisa ends up getting fought over romantically by charming grocer Henry Hammond (Edmund Gwenn) and Type-A tycoon (and Ronnie's boss) Abel Burnside (Charles Coburn). This puts Ronnie in a delicate dilemma. The guys are wonderful as immature cut-ups and Louisa's teen-aged granddaughter, Cathy (Piper Laurie, in her screen debut) and her brilliant geek boyfriend Jimmy,(Scotty Beckett) are a great contrast in young love. It all takes place in a town ironically called Pleasantville. Watch for the charming bit of Americana with the Community Square Dance and the 'dancing under the bar' competition. It's a hoot!

When Louisa finally picks one of the guys, the other one investigates and finds out that the winner has been married four times! And never divorced! Is this feel good film about to turn into a film noir? Watch and find out.

Recommended as a great film that proves some good things happened at Universal after the Laemmles lost the studio in 1936, and before Rock Hudson and Douglas Sirk showed up, besides just Abbott and Costello.

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.