Big Hearted Herbert

Under William Keighley's direction, Aline MacMahon provides a most natural performance as the wife of a big-hearted galoot. Guy Kibbee plays the galoot and is prone to fits of endless blustering, but usually foiled by the members of their immediate clan.

The story is somewhat episodic in nature, showing situational aspects of the lives of a not-so- typical suburban family. The idea is that despite Kibbee's many forms of tyranny, they are just regular folks. The design of the family unit and its place in society seems much more thought- provoking than other run of the mill domestic comedies.

Kibbee and MacMahon appeared in ten different motion pictures together during the 1930s and early 1940s.

...except this film stars real people instead of the creations of Termite Terrace, the source of WB cartoons from the 30's to the 60's. Guy Kibbee is Herbert, but he is anything but big-hearted and is far from his usual role as a sweet older gentleman who is not necessarily the brightest bulb in the room. Here he is a cross between Scrooge and Yosemite Sam.

I say this film is practically a cartoon because the characters lack any perceivable motivation, and probably it was made that way on purpose, seeing it only has an hour's running time. The film is an enjoyable comedy in the fast-talking Warner Brothers tradition. You just have to sit back and enjoy the humor in the situations presented and try not to over analyze. Don't bother asking yourself why Herbert is always yelling at everybody, why he wants to hold on to what he has if he is always as unhappy as he seems, and why his wife would marry and stay with such a tight-fisted grouch in the first place - it will get you nowhere.

On the bright side, there is the comedy of Aline McMahon who decides to give husband Herbert what he claims he wants for a family - just plain folk - at the worst possible time, that time being a dinner Herbert is hosting for potential clients of his plumbing supply business. What she delivers is a 1930's version of the Beverly Hillbillies.

Recommended if you are in the mood to put your mind on hold and just laugh without thinking too hard.

Big Hearted Herbert (1934)

*** (out of 4)

Charming adaptation of the Broadway play about Herbert (Guy Kibbee), a self-made rich man who is always going off about how he didn't need college, how he had to teach himself everything and his ego has gotten to the point where his family can't take it anymore. With Herbert always screaming and throwing around demands, his wife (Aline MacMahon) decides to give him a taste of his own medicine. BIG HEARTED HERBERT is a comedy but I must admit that I didn't laugh a lot in it. There were a couple big laughs but for the most part I sat there watching the film and never really laughing throughout. So, how can I not laugh at a comedy and still enjoy it so much? Because the two leads are just so downright perfect that you can't help but get wrapped up in the charm of the situation. If you watch enough Warner movies on Turner Classic Movies then you're bound to be familiar with Kibbee who was one of their stock players and showed up in countless movies. He always plays the lovable older fellow but here the screenplay gives him a chance to shout and scream. He's constantly talking about how great he is and telling everyone what he had to do in his life and he expects those around him to follow what he says. This guy is certainly a jerk but Kibbee plays it so perfectly that you never hate him or get to the point where you hope someone punches him out. This is very important because the actor allows the character to really take shape yet he knows how to play it to make sure our feelings don't turn on him. MacMahon is also perfect in her part as the wife as she starts off putting up with the mess but when it's time for the tables to turn she really nails the comedy. I won't ruin what exactly happens but the final ten-minutes are great. This thing clocks in at just 59-minutes so there's really no character development or silly scenes added just to try and beef up the situation. Instead this thing stays pretty close to what you're imagine the story was like on Broadway and the two stars just make this a winner.

Guy Kibbee plays Herbert, self-made man. Opinionated and irascible, Herbert delights in telling the story of how he went to went to work when he was 10 years old and worked his way up to owning the factory. Aline MacMahon is Herbert's loyal (but suffering) wife. She loves him patiently but wishes he would take down the unpleasant portrait of his scowling father and put away the family heirloom cuspidor.

The trouble starts when grownup daughter Patricia Ellis brings home handsome young lawyer Phillip Reed, whom she plans to marry. A family dinner is planned to welcome Reed and his parents - all before Kibbee has even heard about the engagement. Naturally Kibbee doesn't like lawyers, as he doesn't believe in college at all. He makes a scene, insults the guests, everyone is embarrassed.... and MacMahon decides to teach him a lesson.

Kibbee's antics and rantings are fun to watch even though his character is kind of a pain. MacMahon is excellent - an hour long B movie doesn't offer much room for character development but MacMahon really succeeds in portraying a loving spouse who can put up with a lot but be pushed only so far.

A simple, straightforward story that keeps the subplots and side characters to a minimum: Very enjoyable even though there's really not much to it.

Those who grew up hearing moralistic stories from their elders about how hard their childhoods were and how such rugged upbringings foster an appreciation for all things valuable might be surprised to watch this film from 1934--in the midst of the depression--whose main character, Herbert, is just such a person.

With a running time of about one hour, "Big Hearted Herbert" is a one-note comedy about a blowhard who loves to pontificate. Proud to be one of the common folk, he continually decries anything not status quo, including his family's wishes for higher education or changes in the home décor.

This film lampoons traditionalism for its own sake. It also suggests that it is not evil or immoral to enjoy life.

Guy Kibbee plays Herbert. His long-suffering wife Elizabeth is played by Aline MacMahon. One reviewer compared this film to "The Honeymooners". I do see a similarity between MacMahon's portrayal and Audrey Meadows' Alice Kramden.

In the end, the family finds a way to teach Herbert a lesson.

This is not the funniest comedy, but it is an interesting glimpse into depression era life.