Father Takes a Wife

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.

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.

It is likely that the viewer's main interest in the film will be Gloria Swanson, and this is her only film appearance from the 1940s. That said, she is not photographed at her best, and appears in need of an image overhaul. Her lipstick is dark, and formed into a 1920s-looking pout. Her face has aged considerably since her heyday just a decade earlier. Her hairstyle is unflattering as well. Her comic timing and talent, however, seem to be somewhat intact, but it's hard to tell under such feeble direction.

It is a mildly amusing comedy. It has moments that absolutely work, and other moments that are of their era and rather dated. Some of the situations, such as Swanson giving up her career for marriage, will not be taken lightly by feminists. Yet other scenes point in a more modern direction. The dialogue is hit-or-miss. Certainly, you will find yourself chuckling now and then! The performances are adequate, yet ordinary. Even Swanson, one of the greatest actresses, is below par. However, the film is a curiosity and is not by any means bad or unwatchable. It is worth viewing.

I echo the attitude of the majority of reviewers on this site...moderately amusing. The screenplay has some good zingers, mostly at the expense of the younger but stuffier in laws, but at one point early on Swanson's character says she can't do comedy and then goes on to prove it. Menjou, as usual, is a bit of a bore ,while Desi proves once again that, right around the time this film was made, he lucked into the most fortuitous of unions. Give it a C plus.