The Courtship of Eddie's Father

Your view of this movie will depend on whether you like Eddie or find him too precocious and pushy about his dad's romantic life. Personally, I was utterly charmed. There is a lot of chemistry between Glenn Ford and Ronnie Howard as the father and son duo, and I loved their conversations. I thought Ford's interpretation was very good. His feelings and personality come across clearly in all his scenes. However, you can expect that of a high-quality, seasoned actor. The fact that a child actor like Howard can match him is impressive.

This movie is what we could call a dramedy. It has comic elements and is a delight to watch, but it also has moments of genuine drama. On that, it differs from The Parent Trap, which also shows kids playing matchmakers for their parents but is all comedy. In The Courtship of Eddie's Father we also have serious dramatic moments, like Eddie's reaction when he finds his dead goldfish, showing that beyond his usual cheerfulness, the trauma of losing his mother is still raw. This mixture of genres might not work for some viewers, but it did for me. It gives the movie more weight and heart.

A delight to watch.

First time I've ever seen this forty year old movie, and I loved it.Was that really Ron Howard ? (Well we didn't get Andy Griffith Show so I'm not used to him being so young). I always find Glenn Ford to be a tru pro, and was happy to see Stella Stevens in it.I think she starred in Girls Girls Girls around the same period.I used to have a huge poster of her and Elvis on my wall when I was a kid(from Girls Girls Girls). I prefer this kind of movie to many on the screen today. At least men and women drressed well then.

I saw most of this film again for the first time in years the other day.I then purchased the DVD to catch the ending..and was glad i did. being a fan of Glenn Ford and Shirley Jones as well as "Ronny" Howard i couldn't pass this one up. Glenn Ford's Eddie's Father isn't the same laid back Eddie's Father that Bill Bixby was in the TV series that was based on this movie.His is a bit quirkier and introspective and maybe not as funny and warm but still worth getting to know. The matchmaking that goes on is strictly sixties through and through a formula we have seen time and time again but the hint of Eddie's Father having himself a time while he is out "courting" is as subtle as a man in a chicken suit in church. Ron Howard is as good as ever and although Brandon Cruz who was Eddie in the TV series was a bit warmer Ron Howard's Eddie is a more honest to god kid most of the time,with all the faults that come with being an 8 yr old boy The women in the film..all beautiful all talented all out for Eddie"s father are as you would expect in an early sixties film kind of cardboard cutouts but good on the eyes

It is true the film is quite dated and no longer relevant go the times for live in now. However, for me this is what I enjoyed about this film. It's like a time capsule of the past. From the way it was shot, the dialogue and even the overall theme is a quaint reminder of where we were.

I tuned in to this one because I'm becoming a real Glenn Ford fan. I think he's a superb and underrated actor with a wide range, and he indeed shines in this charming and unpretentious flick. As far as all the comments about being dated and politically incorrect, I recall the admonition of my college history professor that we cannot judge past eras by the standards of the culture we live in. And this film is not that ancient. I and many viewers grew up in the era in which this movie was made, and considering things nowadays I wouldn't mind going back. Anyway, the film does have its flaws, primarily the speed with which Eddie goes from mourning to trying to get his Dad hitched again. It's a bit unnatural, but we should just suspend disbelief. The chemistry between father and son is what makes the film shine, and in this age of broken families and parents willing to discard their children, it's sadly nostalgic to see such devotion. The film never overplays Tom's relationship with his two paramours. Character development is well done, including the housemaid Mrs. Livngstone, who finally learns Spanish, only to find out she studied the wrong language. It's a charming and tender movie, and the production values are great. The color technology in films of that era was so superior to today's.