Louise

Edmund Gwenn and Charles Coburn were both wonderful character actors who enhanced many, many films with their charming presence. However, normally a Hollywood film of their era only featured one cute or grouchy old man...and that is why I love "Louisa" as it has a double dose of these guys with BOTH Gwenn and Coburn.

When the film begins, Hal Norton (Ronald Reagan) has come home with great news. However, he's very annoyed to see that instead of celebrating with him, his wife is in a tizzy because Hal's mother, Louisa (Spring Byington) is bored...and when she has nothing to do, Louisa sticks her big nose into everyone's business. So, after Hal talks to her, she decides she needs to get a life of her own outside this home. Soon, she begins dating...first with Mr. Hammond (Gwenn) and later with Hal's boss, Mr. Burnside (Coburn). Both men are absolutely infatuated with her and soon begin to make total fools of themselves...like a couple love-sick 16 year-olds! And as for Hal, he seems to be having a serious Oedipal fixation, as he's really hot and bothered that these men want his mommy.

Overall, this is a silly, fun and light-hearted film...the sort that they just don't make any more...but should. Cute and enjoyable from start to finish.

This seems to be the only place where this film is acknowledged, and it seems that elsewhere it has dropped out of existence. A pity because it is a charming film mainly about people over sixty falling in love with each other. This is not a usual focus, even now, and the acting is excellent. Ronald Reagan is given top billing where the great Spring Byington is not. Supported by Charles Coburn and Edmund Gwenn as her suitors the three make a wonderful trio. Which one will she marry ? This causes disruption in the very conservative household of Ronald Reagan and the sadly unused Ruth Hussey who was so good in ' The Philadelphia Story ' Piper Laurie is their daughter and Scotty Beckett her ' intellectual ' boyfriend. But it is Spring Byington who steals the film, and very good in other films she glows with charm and intelligence in this. The dance sequence where Charles Coburn and Edmund Gwenn wrestle literally for her attention is a gem of a scene, and for that alone this elusive film is worth tracking down. Is it dated ? Yes, in many ways but there is a remaining freshness about its approach to the elderly in love which brings humanity and understanding to a subject not treated enough in the cinema. I would give it more points but Reagan's weakness as a lead actor prevents me.

I didn't know what to expect when I first started watching. Soon I was literally laughing out loud. Ronald Reagan is married (Ruth Hussey) with two children, one a teenage daughter the other a twelve yr old son. They all live together with his mother, who starts dating the towns grocer. Ronald Reagan starts behaving like a typical child who doesn't approve of his mother dating anyone but his deceased father of ten years. Oh, but wait...a love triangle ensues between this grandmother, the grocer and Ronald Reagan's boss. Their antics and jealous behavior is simply outrageous and hilarious. This love triangle between Spring Byington, Edmund Gwenn and Charles Coburn is so charmingly funny, being they're all in their sixties and behaving like teenagers in love. All of the actors are perfect in their roles and play their parts quite believable. I've seen them all in so many movies, yet I can't forget that Edmund Gwenn is really Santa....lol (Miracle on 34th Street).

This movie is in black and white, which I think ads to its charm. I highly suggest you watch this one.

Despite the name at the top of the billing, this film belongs fairly and squarely to the elderly folks - Spring Byington ("Louisa"), Edmund Gwenn ("Hammond") and Charles Coburn ("Burnside"). Both men are vying for the affections of the former - the mother of aspiring architect "Hal" (Ronald Reagan). The story moves along quickly and amusingly with the two resorting to more increasingly outlandish methods to secure the hand of "Louisa". Meantime, their antics are playing havoc on her son and on his family with whom she lives. Though the ending is a bit far-fetched, the joke still holds up remarkably well. Reagan portrays the role of the increasingly frenetic son quite effusively and the family of supporting cast - including Piper Laurie and Scotty Beckett who are having their own relationship issues - all contribute well to this enjoyable story that clearly validates the theory that life begins at 50, or 60, or....

This film about falling in love after 60 could have easily descended into sentimental sappiness, but its intelligently funny script and fine comedic acting by its principals keeps it light and heartwarming. Spring Byington is charmingly vivacious without losing her dignity; Edmund Gwenn is cherubic and wise as the grocer suitor, and Charles Coburn as his tycoon rival reveals once again why he was one of the best character actors in the business. Stars Ronald Reagan and Ruth Hussey do well with what is essentially strong supporting roles as Byington's put-upon son and daughter-in-law. All in all, an entertaining hour and a half.