Senza madre

"My Pal Gus" is a very enjoyable family film. However, late in the story there's a plot twist that didn't make sense to me or my aunt who was watching with me. Fortunately, it didn't harm the movie too much...but it reduces the score I expected to give it from 8 to 7.

Dave Jennings (Richard Widmark) is a very successful man...at least when it comes to his business. But when it comes to raising his young son, Gus (George Winslow), he is a failure. This is because after his awful wife left him because he wasn't successful enough for her, he became all business...making him rich but neglecting the boy in the process.

After having every possible governess refuse to work for him because the boy is out of control, he enrolls the boy in a local preschool, as the teacher (Joanne Dru) turns out to be exactly what the family needs. Now that things are going wonderfully, you know SOMETHING bad must happen, as it's only halfway through the movies. The what turns out to be Dave's selfish ex-wife....and what comes next, you'll have to see for yourself.

I don't want to give away too much of the story, but late in the movie there's a court hearing and the judge's decision simply made no sense. I am actually surprised the writer of the film didn't notice this....but my aunt and I were baffled by this illogical plot twist. Still, despite this, the story is engaging and well worth your time. Just try to suspend disbelief at the wonky part of the story!