Life With Father (1947)
- Starring:
- William Powell, Irene Dunne, (more)
- Director(s):
- Michael Curtiz
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Life With Father
The longest-running non-musical play in Broadway history, Life With Father was faithfully filmed by Warner Bros. in 1947. William Powell is a tower of comic strength as Clarence Day, the benevolent despot of his 1880s New York City household. Irene Dunne co-stars as Day's wife Vinnie, who outwardly has no more common sense than a butterfly but who is the real head of the household. The anecdotal story, encompassing such details as the eldest Day son's (James Lydon) romance with pretty out-of-towner Mary (Elizabeth Taylor), is tied together by Vinnie's tireless efforts to get her headstrong husband baptized, else he'll never be able to enter the Kingdom of God. Each scene is a little gem of comedy and pathos, as the formidable Mr. Day tries to bring a stern businesslike attitude to everyday household activities, including explaining the facts of life to his impressionable son. Donald Ogden Stewart based his screenplay upon the play by Howard Lindsey (who played Mr. Day in the original production) and Russell Crouse; the play in turn was inspired by a series of articles written by Clarence Day Jr., shortly before his death in 1933. Due to a legal tangle with the Day estate, Life With Father was withdrawn from circulation after its first run; it re-emerged on the Public Domain market in 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 118 mins
Complete Cast of Life With Father
- William Powell - Clarence Day
- Monte Blue - Policeman
- Clara Blandick - Mrs. Wiggins
- Emma Dunn - Margaret
- Elizabeth Taylor - Mary Skinner
- Mary Field - Nora
- Queenie Leonard - Maggie
- Jimmy Lydon - Clarence
- Derek Scott - Harlan
- Martin Milner - John
- George Meader - Salesman
- Creighton Hale - Father of Twins
- Laura Treadwell - Churchgoers
- James Metcalfe - Customer
- Philip Van Zandt - Clerk
- Joe Bernard - Cashier
- Clara Reid - Cleaning Woman
- Jean del Val - Francois
- Arlene Dahl - Girl in Delmonico's
- Lois Bridge - Corsetierre
- Irene Dunne - Vinnie Day
- ZaSu Pitts - Cora
- Johnny Calkins - Whitney
- Edmund Gwenn - Rev. Dr. Lloyd
- Nancy Evans - Delia
- Frank Elliott - Dr. Somers
- Moroni Olsen - Dr. Humphries
- Elizabeth Risdon - Mrs. Whitehead
- Heather Wilde - Annie
- John Beck - Perkins the Clerk
- Elaine Lange - Ellen
- Jack Martin - Chef
- Lucille Shamburger - Nursemaid
- Faith Kruger - Hilda
- Douglas Kennedy - Mr. Morley
- Jean Andren - Mother of Twins
- Russell Arms - Stock Quotation Operator
- Michael Mineo - One of Twin Boys
- Philo McCullough - Milkman
- Director(s):
- Michael Curtiz
- Writer(s):
- Donald Ogden Stewart
- Producer(s):
- Robert Buckner
- 1947 - Film Daily - 10 Best Films
- 1947 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Original Score
- 1947 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor
- 1947 - New York Times - 10 Best Films
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