Movie Review: Life With Father (1947)

Good "day" everyone!

I hope that this finds you well. Do you know what I like to do on a snowy day (besides being in the snow doing crazy things)? I like to watch a cozy movie in my home. Today Iʼm bringing you a review of one ideal for this activity! Stick around because in addition to the usual review Iʼll be talking about the significance of home and family in this film. Enjoy!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free! After reading this review things will still surprise you when you watch the movie.

Life With Father (1947):

Based on: the memoir Life With Father - by Clarence Day Jr..

Set in New York in 1883, this tells the story of Clarence Day who lives with his wife and four boys. “Clare” is used to living by a very strict schedule, which he tries to control the monetary savings and income as much as he does at his bank. Life is always changing with the four growing boys. Whitney is trying to learn his catechism, John is looking for a job, and all is going well for Clarence Jr. until his motherʼs cousin brings a pretty girl with her. One day Mrs. Day learns that Clare was never baptized and she is horrified but determined to find a way to remedy that. Will the whole household and family be shaken up through sickness and finances?

ʻ“I notice when you have a headache you yell and groan and swear enough.” 

“Well, thatʼs to prove to the headache that Iʼm stronger than it is.”

Genre: Comedy.

Length: approx. 118 minutes.

Script: 8. By a technical standpoint there are no bad words, as when Mr. Day swears he says “Gad”, heavily saying an A. Itʼs too close for my liking to taking a name in vain, hence the deduction of two points.

Crew: Directed by: Michael Curtiz. Written by: Clarence Day Jr., Donald Ogden Stewart, Howard Lindsay, & Russel Crouse.

Starring:

William Powell as Clarence Day.

Irene Dunne as Vinnie Day.

Jimmy Lydon as Clarence Day Jr..

Martin Milner as John Day.

Johnny Calkins as Whitney Day.

Derek Scott as Harlan Day.

Elizabeth Taylor as Mary Skinner.

Zasu Pitts as Cora Cartwright.

Edmund Gwenn as Rev. Dr. Lloyd.

Emma Dunn as Margaret, the cook.

Heather Wilde as Annie.

Nancy Evans as Delia.

Moroni Olsen as Dr. Humphries.

 Frank Elliott as Dr. Somers.

Elisabeth Risdon as Mrs. Whitehead.

Monte Blue as The Policeman.

Mary Field as Nora.

Clara Blandick as Miss Wiggins.

Douglas Kennedy as Reverend Morley.

Costumes: 8, I like the 1880ʼs style! One of the subplots revolves around a suit. 

Cinematography: 8, some brilliant colors here! Compared with newer movies it isn't too shocking, but compared with the times it was made I think it's neat. 

Cinematography by: Peverell Marley & William V. Skall.

Music: 8, not the most memorable in the world, but the whole time I was thinking of how cheery it is.

Music by: Max Steiner.

Quotability: 8, it's not something that I would think of quoting every day, but after a phone call with my sister where I convinced her to rewatch it, we've been saying some of the lines from time to time. One of my favorites was when Harlan is complaining about oatmeal, saying he doesn't like it and Clare replies:

“Iʼll tell you what you like and what you donʼt like. Youʼre not old enough to know such things.”

Oscars won: This was nominated for 4 awards, including Best Actor for William Powell, but didnʼt win any of them.

Content: 8, there are one or two suggestive lines, but that's it. It talks about religion and faith, and while none of it is mine exactly, I like Vinnie's concern and care!

Originality: 8, the scrapes that the family gets into are pretty unique! I smile through the whole thing, so it is something to brighten your day.

Good For: Families, fathers and children, fans of the actors.

Age Range: This is perfectly fine for any and all ages!

Overall Score: 8! I don't remember the last time the score I gave was so easy!

Worth watching?: For sure! I was fun to fill in my memories of what this was. The stunning colors alone are worth looking at.

Will I watch again?: You bet! I have fun with this one and will be watching it again wherever I need a "pick me up" film.

“Thereʼs something wrong with your reasoning.”

For the blogathon:

Thatʼs right! This is my entry in Rebecca of Taking Up Room and Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviewsʼs Home Sweet Home Blogathon!

The requirements were easy, stating that the goal was to talk about films centering around the theme of “home” or “family”. It took me a while to decide, but then I thought that this was perfect as with itʼs title it deals with a father!

I used to get this confused with another movie because I think that I watched them for the first time very close to each other. For years I had wondered which one was which. When I was able to rewatch this last October I was glad to find that this one was the one with “Clare”. After some digging on my part I figured out what the other movie was, Cheaper by the Dozen (1950)! Funnily enough, that stars a lady who was famous for being in movies with William Powell, Myrna Loy!

They both feature fathers. In this one, while it is titled Life With Father, it is made clear that the mother, Vinnie, is what holds the house together. All of the family adores her and would do anything to make her happy. Even if it includes stepping outside of comfort zones.

Thanks for reading! Check out all of the other entries to the blogathon HERE.

Tell me, what are some of your favorite movies involving family? Has anyone seen this or the original Cheaper by the Dozen (1950)? What is your favorite William Powell movie? Have a good night!

MovieCritic