Bundle of Joy (1956)

After finding a baby outside an orphanage, a salesgirl receives sympathy from those around her, including her boss' son, as they all assume the baby is hers.

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Norman Krasna (screen play), Robert Carson (screen play)

Stars:

Eddie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Adolphe Menjou

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Eddie Fisher	...	Dan Merlin
Debbie Reynolds	...	Polly Parish
Adolphe Menjou	...	J.B. Merlin
Tommy Noonan	...	Freddie Miller
Nita Talbot	...	Mary
Una Merkel	...	Mrs. Dugan
Melville Cooper	...	Adams - the Butler
Bill Goodwin	...	Mr. Creely
Howard McNear	...	Mr. Appleby
Robert H. Harris	...	Mr. Hargraves
Mary Treen	...	Matron
Edward Brophy	...	Dance Contest Judge (as Edward S. Brophy)
Gil Stratton	...	Mike Clancy
Scott Douglas	...	Bill Rand

Storyline

Kitschy musical remake of "Bachelor Mother". Debbie Reynolds plays an over-eager clerk in a large department store and Eddie Fisher plays the boss' son. After getting fired from her job, she finds an adorable baby on the steps of the foundling home and the folks inside mistake her for the mother. Fisher, well-meaning, but obtuse, tries to help her out with the baby, and the buds of romance begin to appear. Meanwhile old Merlin, the owner of the store, thinks he just might be a grandfather...

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Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | live television | baby | boss | foundling | 

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Taglines:

Their first movie together! Eddie sings 6 wonderful new songs!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: The characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictional. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

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Goofs

When Polly (Debbie Reynolds) and Mary (Nita Talbot) are singing "Worry About Tomorrow", Polly tries on various hats and in doing so, her hair becomes disarranged. In the next shot, as she puts on a large white hat, her hair is now fully combed.

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Connections

Referenced in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Bundle of Joy (1993)

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Soundtracks

Bundle of Joy
(uncredited)
Music by Josef Myrow
Lyrics by Mack Gordon
Sung by Eddie Fisher

User Reviews

musical remake of 'bachelor mother.' Debbie Reynolds shines; Eddie fisher flops

"Bachelor Mother" was a delightful movie, but one can imagine why a musical, in color, remake would crop up. Debbie Reynolds as Polly Parrish was a good choice, and wound up carrying the movie. Eddie Fisher, as the junior Merlin, was not such a good choice. Many other actors at the time would have been far better. Had someone like Donald O'Connor had the role, it could have been an unmitigated success. Too bad Fisher got the job.

Overall, the movie is delightful. The basic plot, of a sales clerk in a large department store who winds up with a baby that's not hers, but that no one believes is not hers, is an excellent set-up for comedy. This one does a good job. "Bachelor Mother" does a better job. And an even better one may pop up in the future.

gaynor wild

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bundle of Joy

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edmund Grainger Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor) (as Technicolor®)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1