My Pal Gus

I saw "My Pal Gus" many years ago, in Australia, but it is one of the movies that have remained in my memory ever since. I think the main reason I enjoyed this particular film was because it was so different from the usual roles that Richard Widmark played. This is one of the films that I would enjoy seeing again as it would be interesting to see how it has stood up to the "test of time". I particularly remember the scene at the kindergarten where the children were playing in the dirt, which culminated in Richard Widmark having a rather unusual taste treat, and some of the children had questions his character found difficult to answer. A really enjoyable film, without any bad language, torrid love scenes or violence - a great family film.

That's my opinion only but no other Widmark film I've seen offers him the range of emotions he displays in this one. Mr. Widmark is tough as nails in The Alamo and How the West Was Won but he gets the chance to be stern, compassionate, vindictive, curt, redemptive, shattered, and ultimately happy all in this one feature. His character's relationship to his son is expertly performed by Mr. Widmark and George "Froggy" Winslow (who was never better). Joanne Dru was never more beautiful and is the woman who brings out a number of the above noted emotions. The writing is sharp and the cast delivers the lines in top form. Miss Dru has the best line when Winslow tells her that her Dad won't bring him back to the Day Care because they (the Day Care) "Make jerks out of dads!" Miss Dru tells Winslow in return (and without venom) that they try to make "Dads out of jerks!" The film is entertaining, funny, sad, and redemptive in the end. It is the first film I can think of to deal with single parenting and Day Care Centers. Don't miss this one.

Richard Widmark is so adorable in this movie! If this was the first movie he ever made, instead of Kiss of Death, he would have had an entirely different career. He would have played nice, lovable guys, fathers, love interests - he might have even played alongside Frank Sinatra in Guys and Dolls - talk about the battle of the blue eyes!

He plays a single dad in this movie, and he enrolls his young son, George Winslow, in a daycare run by Joanne Dru. It's no surprise that he and Joanne fall in love, but can she help soften his edges? He's a businessman at heart who prioritizes work ahead of family. When he realizes how much his son needs him, how will he change? Or will his ex-wife, Audrey Totter, come back into the picture and ruin everything?

My Pal Gus is really sweet, but chances are you haven't heard of it. Richard Widmark isn't really famous for making cute movies. Try to find a copy of it if you can, because he's just too cute for words. There's something so endearing about a gangster-type reading stories to children. Remember how cute Brian Donlevy was in The Great McGinty? Now it's Dick's turn, and it's so easy to root for him and hope he, George, and Joanne can all work out together.

I'm sure Richard Widmark probably fought to get a role where he wasn't a tough guy, good or bad. If so My Pal Gus fits the bill perfectly for a man who wanted a little diversity in his roles.

Widmark is a divorced father whose wife Audrey Totter ran out on him and his young son George Winslow. Widmark in those years has made quite a name for himself and a lot of money to boot. But he's consumed with making money that responsibility for his temper tantrum throwing kid leaving that to butler Ludwig Donath and cook Lisa Golm.

That changes when he enrolls Winslow in Joanne Dru's private school and Dru takes an interest in him and the boy.

There are certain plot similarities between My Pal Gus and the John Wayne-Donna Reed film Trouble Along The Way. Of course the major difference was the economic position of disgraced football coach John Wayne and businessman tycoon Richard Widmark.

One thing that was exactly the same was the mother role. Neither Marie Windsor or Audrey Totter would win mother of the year. Totter especially if you envision your mom as a mother cobra than Totter is perfect casting. She had the juiciest role in My Pal Gus and made the most of it.

The end result is for Widmark to learn he's a father first and everything else is second. How he learns it is for you to see My Pal Gus.

Any movie with George " Foghorn " Winslow is fun ! I know that's a generalization of the first magnitude , but it happens to be true. This is a little movie - but a good one . It's definitely a 50's style family affair . Richard Widmark softens his act and comes across as very believable . When " Foghorn " is on screen , however , the film belongs to him . Enjoy .