Life with Father

Life with Father (1947) starring William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor, directed by Michael Curtiz

Editorial review of Life with Father courtesy of Amazon.com

Ah, remember those good old days when father ruled the roost, keeping a tight rein on the money, the kids, and the docile wife? Well, neither does Clarence Day (William Powell), the title character in Life with Father. Taking place in New York in 1883, this charming comedy purports to show the life of a strict father managing his house and his family, only to be constantly–and unknowingly–out-manipulated by his somewhat ditzy wife, Vinnie (Irene Dunne).

Day is terrifying enough that maids keep quitting, but Vinnie manages to keep Day under control–that is, until she discovers that he was never baptized. A battle ensues as she desperately tries to ensure that they will one day meet in heaven, and all the while he severely maintains that the church has no business messing with a man’s soul.

Meanwhile, young Clarence Day Jr. (Jimmy Lydon) is busy falling for visiting Mary Skinner (played gigglingly by Elizabeth Taylor), and his brother John concocts a money-making scheme that involves the selling of a rather dubious potion. The costumes, the characters, and the wonderful story line–based on a play that was based on the memoir written by Clarence Day Jr.–make this a delightful movie that’s perfect for a family-film night. –Jenny Brown

Cast of characters

• William Powell (The Kennel Murder Case) … Father
• Irene Dunne (Joy of Living) … Vinnie
• Elizabeth Taylor (The Hustler) … Mary
• Edmund Gwenn (Them!, Between Two Worlds) … Rev. Dr. Lloyd
• Zasu Pitts (It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World) … Cora
• Jimmy Lydon (I Passed for White) … Clarence
• Emma Dunn (Cowboy From Brooklyn) … Margaret
• Moroni Olsen (Mildred Pierce) … Dr. Humphries
• Elisabeth Risdon (Five Came Back) … Mrs. Whitehead
• Derek Scott … Harlan
• Johnny Calkins … Whitney
• Martin Milner (13 Ghosts, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral) … John
• Heather Wilde … Annie
• Monte Blue (The Grim Game) … The Policeman
• Mary Field … Nora
• Queenie Leonard … Maggie
• Nancy Evans … Delia
• Clara Blandick … Miss Wiggins
• Frank Elliott (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) … Dr. Somers

Music performed in Life with Father

• Sweet Marie
  • Sung by Irene Dunne and William Powell
• Love’s Old Sweet Song (Just a Song at Twilight)
  • Played on piano and sung by William Powell
• Sweet Genevieve
• Ye Servants of God
• The Treasure Waltz
• Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow-Wow
• O Come, All Ye Faithful