The Bachelor Father (1931)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Writers:

Edward Childs Carpenter (play)
Laurence E. Johnson (writer)

Release Date:

10 January 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Lonely in his English country estate, Sir Basil decides to gather his grown (albeit illegitimate) children around him in his declining years...

Plot Keywords:

Italian | Lawyer | Millionaire | Manor | Parentage

Cast

Marion Davies	...	Antoinette 'Tony' Flagg
Ralph Forbes	...	John Ashley
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Sir Basil Algernon 'Chief' Winterton
Ray Milland	...	Geoffrey Trent
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams	...	Richard 'Dick' Berney (as Guinn Williams)
David Torrence	...	Doctor Frank 'Mac' MacDonald
Doris Lloyd	...	Mrs. Julia Webb
Edgar Norton	...	Bolton, the Second Butler
Nina Quartero	...	Maria Credaro (as Nena Quartero)
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Larkin, the Butler
Elizabeth Murray	...	Mrs. 'Aunt Molly' Berney
James Gordon	...	Mr. Carson Creswell, a Lawyer

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved

Company:

Cosmopolitan Productions

Trivia:

The original play opened in New York on 13 February 1928 at the Belasco Theater, with C. Aubrey Smith originating the role of Sir Basil. The play ran for 263 performances.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: A man steps out of a room, does some gyrations, and quickly jumps back in.

Quotes:

Sir Basil Algernon 'Chief' Winterton: I am the first man ever to become a father by majority vote.

Movie Connections:

Version of Ungkarlspappan (1935)

Marion Davies and C. Aubrey Smith Are Great

This 1931 comedy gets better with every viewing because of the comedic talents of Marion Davies and a terrific performance by C. Aubrey Smith. Smith plays a gruff old man who gathers his grown children (from his younger days as a rake) in his declining years. One is American (Davies), one English (Ray Milland who looks about 18), and one Italian (Nina Quartero). There are some surprises as the plot moves along with Ralph Forbes(was has no appeal at all) falling for Davies.

Davies and Smith are just wonderful together and very touching. Davies also gets to do a few dances and make a few "big" entrances. And of course Davies is just gorgeous.

Halliwell Hobbes, Doris Lloyd, Elizabeth Murray, Guinn Williams, Edgar Norton, and David Torrence co-star. Had they given out supporting Oscar awards in 1931, Smith might well have been nominated. He's just excellent in this this gem.