Preamble
I loved Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride, Part II. I heard it was based upon earlier films involving Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. My Netflix membership gave me an opportunity to rent this dvd.

What This DVD Contains
Let me warn you - it's nothing fancy.

1. The movie
2. Picture of the Movie Poster released in 1951
3. Trivia About The Movie

The Plot
Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) is recovering from his daughter's (Elizabeth Taylor) recent wedding. It's been a year and finally, he's getting his life back to normal.

Kay and her husband Buckley announce that they are expecting a little bambino. While every one else is thrilled, Stanley has difficulty dealing with the fact that he's going to be a grandfather. He's too young to be a grandfather! But see, it doesn't seem to bother Stanley's wife (Joan Bennett). You see, being a grandparent is like reaping a dividend. You did nothing and you get everything. Ellie is more worried about keeping her inlaws away from the baby.

Kay and Buckley deal with the prospect of a new baby, new home, and stretched finances. Arguments, misunderstandings - it's all part of a married couples first couple of years together.

What to name the baby? Everyone has an opinion. Everyone wants it named after them.

After the baby arrives, he and Stanley have issues connecting. Of course the baby is putty in everyone else's hands.

Does it all work out in the end? Of course it does!

Critical Commentary
Now let me warn you - I'm not a true-blue movie critic. I pretty much tell you like it is. I can't get all fancy and explain the importance of why this is a good movie to see in Black and White or why the director Vincente Millenni was good or bad for this movie.

I can tell you that the Black and White version was a great way to view it from a different perspective. As I said earlier, I really enjoyed the Father of the Bride movies so I'm glad that there were enough differences in this movie that it made me feel like I wasn't seeing the exact, same movie.

The writing was right on. That's what makes this movie timeless. Getting married, having your first baby, moving into a new home - it's all things that instill lots of angst into every day people. It's how those every day people deal with the angst that either makes them grow or ends up as a character flaw for the rest of their life.

The direction was fine. I didn't feel like anything stood out for me yet I can't really find fault with the way anything was executed.

The chemistry between Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy gave me goose bumps. Honestly, I've never seen either one in any other movie. Just from this movie, I can understand why they were considered hot commodities of their time. Spencer Tracy seems to have a far range in emotions - I totally bought his uneasiness with being a grandfather, his stern but pragmatic approach to fatherhood, and the comediec moments like waiting for Kay to give birth.

Joan Bennett and Don Taylor never clicked for me. Maybe it's because of seeing the other mom and husband (Diane Keaton and George Newbern) in that other movie. As supporting characters it was very easy for them to get lost and not stand out. Still, I stand by my assertion that the other mom/husband characters were able to overcome that obstacle.

I think that the DVD features were weak. Of course looking at the retail price ($9.99), I can understand why. Wouldn't it be neat if they featured interviews with the cast members? Although most of them are deceased now, I'm sure that they have clips somewhere of the actors talking about the movie.

The End
Sentimental chicks, those who PMS, and those who are expecting their first child will all like this movie. When Elizabeth Taylor flies off of the handle because people are trying to control her life, you get caught up in the emotion of the moment because you've been there! When the baby is finally born, you understand how much it changes a woman's life. You see Kay grow as a woman and right then, you feel like a moment of female bonding has occurred. I love female bonding. It makes the world go round.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8