Father's Little Dividend (1951)

Shortly after coming to terms with his daughter's marriage, a father faces the prospect of becoming a grandfather.

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Albert Hackett (screenplay), Frances Goodrich (screenplay)

Stars:

Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Spencer Tracy	...	Stanley Banks
Joan Bennett	...	Ellie Banks
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Kay Dunstan
Don Taylor	...	Buckley Dunstan
Billie Burke	...	Doris Dunstan
Moroni Olsen	...	Herbert Dunstan
Richard Rober	...	Police Sergeant
Marietta Canty	...	Delilah (Banks' Maid)
Russ Tamblyn	...	Tommy Banks (as Rusty Tamblyn)
Tom Irish	...	Ben Banks
Hayden Rorke	...	Dr. Andrew Nordell
Paul Harvey	...	Rev. Galsworthy

Storyline

In this sequel to Father of the Bride (1950), Stanley Banks learns that his daughter Kay is going to have a baby. When they get the news everyone except Stanley is overjoyed. His wife and grandmother-to-be Ellie broadcasts it everywhere and all Stan can do is worry about the practical things like how his son-in-law Buckley can afford it. Well, having not long ago paid for the wedding, Stanley has no intention of bearing any of the expenses involved. Buckley's parents and Ellie are overjoyed at the news and virtually take over redecorating the young couple's new house. Crisis and false alarms take over their lives and when the child is born, the only person he doesn't seem to like is Stanley. A walk in the park - and absolute panic when Stanley misplaces his grandson - seems to resolve the situation.

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Plot Keywords:

announcement of pregnancy | fatherhood | family relationships | sequel | acting silly for a baby | 

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Taglines:

The blessed event of 1951...merrily surpassing "Father of the Bride"...again starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett and Elizabeth Taylor...M-G-M of course!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 April 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

Laugh Track: Father's Little Dividend

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$941,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, Bob Hope does not make a cameo appearance as the diaper delivery man. The uncredited actor's name is Frank Sully.

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Goofs

When Stanley and Ellie are doing the dishes, Stanley is drying saucers and stacking them to the left of the rinsing pan. In the next shot when Kay comes in, the stack of saucers has disappeared.

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Quotes

Stanley Banks: [Telephone rings at night] Hello. Buckley, do you know what time it is? It's a quarter to three.
Buckley Dunstan: I'm sorry, I didn't realize. Is Kay there?
Stanley Banks: [Sarcastically] But of course she, where would she be?
[Whispers]
Stanley Banks: Hello, I'll take this downstairs, hang on
[Puts down the receiver & quietly tiptoes downstairs to hall, then picks up the extension phone]
Stanley Banks: What do you mean. is she here?
Buckley Dunstan: Well, I thought if she were there I could come & pick her up if she were there.
Stanley Banks: When did she leave? What time did she leave?
Buckley Dunstan: I ...
[...]

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Connections

Followed by Father of the Bride (1961)

User Reviews

just OK

Not as good as the original but much better then that crappy remake with Steve Martin. This movie just seemed thrown together pretty quickly just because the first one was such a big hit that it really doesn't come together. It feels forced almost but it's a million times better then the remake. The movie is only 83 minutes and it shouldn't of been any longer. This one has Elizabeth Taylor having a baby and Spencer Tracy trying to accept the fact that he's now a grandfather. In one scene, Tracy goes to the gym to prove he isn't that old and the next morning he's stiff all over. This is a sequel that probably shouldn't of been made and you should only watch it if you loved the original.