Papa’s Delicate Condition

Papa’s Delicate Condition (1963) starring Jackie Gleason, Glynis Johns, Charles Ruggles, Linda Bruhl

In Papa’s Delicate Condition, t the turn of the century in a small Texas town an amiable family man gets in a scrape when he drinks too much.

Editorial review of  Papa’s Delicate Condition, courtesy of Amazon.com

Comedy legend Jackie Gleason (TV s The Honeymooners) stars in this warm-hearted look back at one family’s larger-than-life father. Set at the start of the 20th century, Gleason plays Jack Griffith, a gregarious railroad man whose love for his family is rivaled only by his love for the bottle. Griffith’s penchant for outrageous behavior, followed up by more outrageous gifts to atone for it, has begun to alienate his wife and oldest daughter, although his youngest still adores her father. Gleason portrays Griffith with a mixture of humor and humanity, and the end result is a moving portrait of a family’s ups and downs.

Gleason’s performance of the Oscar winning song (Call Me Irresponsible) by Jimmy Van Heusen (music) and Sammy Cahn (lyrics) is not to be missed. Hollywood veteran George Marshall (Destry Rides Again) directed this heartwarming comedy that features a wonderful cast that includes Glynis Johns (Mary Poppins), Charles Ruggles (Bringing Up Baby), Ned Glass (West Side Story), Murray Hamilton (Jaws) and Elisha Cook, Jr. (The Maltese Falcon). 

 Description of Papa’s Delicate Condition

Jackie Gleason stars in this warm-hearted look back at one family’s larger than life father. Set at the start of the 20th century, Gleason plays Jack Griffith, a gregarious railroad man whose love for his family is rivaled only by his love for the bottle. Griffith’s penchant for outrageous behavior, followed up by a more outrageous gift to atone for it, has begun to alienate his wife and oldest daughter, although his youngest still adores her father. Gleason portrays Griffith’s “delicate condition” with a mixture of humor and humanity, and the end result is a moving portrait of a family’s ups and downs. Gleason’s performance of the Academy Award ® winning song “Call Me Irresponsible” is not to be missed.

Cast of characters

• Jackie Gleason (Soldier in the Rain; Gigot; The Honeymooners) … Jack Griffith
• Glynis Johns (Dear Brigitte; The Court Jester) … Amberlyn Griffith
• Charles Ruggles (Bringing Up Baby; The Invisible Woman) … Anthony Ghio
• Laurel Goodwin … Augusta Griffith
• Linda Bruhl … Corrie
• Ned Glass (Come to the Stable; Charade) … Mr. Sparrow
• Murray Hamilton (The Hustler; No Time for Sergeants) … Mr. Harvey
• Elisha Cook Jr. (Don’t Bother to Knock; Stranger on the Third Floor) … Mr. Keith
• Charles Lane (The Aristocats; You Can’t Take It With You) … Mr. Cosgrove
• Claude Johnson (A Feud Is a Feud) … Norman
• Don Beddoe (Blondie for Victory; The Boogie Man Will Get You) … Mayor Ghio’s Assistant
• Juanita Moore (Star Spangled Rhythm) … Ellie
• Trevor Bardette (Topper Returns; The Monolith Monsters) … Stanley Henderson II
• Ken Renard … Walter
• Benny Baker … Douglas

Songs

• Call Me Irresponsible
  • Music by Jimmy Van Heusen
  • Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
  • Sung by Jackie Gleason
• Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home?
  • Written by Hughie Cannon
  • Sung by Jackie Gleason