The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1959)

In early 1900s' Pennsylvania, Mr. Pennypacker has two company offices and two families with a combined total of 17 children. With an office in Harrisburg and an office in Philadelphia, he ... See full summary »

Director:

Henry Levin

Writers:

Liam O'Brien (play), Walter Reisch

Stars:

Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, Charles Coburn

Cast

Cast overview:
Clifton Webb	...	Mr. Horace Pennypacker
Dorothy McGuire	...	Mrs. Emily 'Ma' Pennypacker
Charles Coburn	...	Grampa Pennypacker
Jill St. John	...	Kate Pennypacker
Ron Ely	...	Wilbur Fielding
Ray Stricklyn	...	Horace Pennypacker III
David Nelson	...	Henry Pennypacker
Dorothy Stickney	...	Aunt Jane Pennypacker
Larry Gates	...	Rev. Dr. Fielding
Richard Deacon	...	Sheriff

Storyline

In early 1900s' Pennsylvania, Mr. Pennypacker has two company offices and two families with a combined total of 17 children. With an office in Harrisburg and an office in Philadelphia, he has successfully kept two separate homes. However, when an emergency requires his oldest son to find him, Mr. Pennypacker's dual life is revealed.

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Plot Keywords:

bigamy | based on play | character name in title | 

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Taglines:

World's Greatest Bigamist or Perfect Family Man?

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is based on a play which ran for 221 performances on Broadway in 1953-54. Burgess Meredith played Horace (Pa) and Martha Scott played Emily (Ma). Una Merkel played Aunt Jane. In the play, the story was set in Wilmington, DE rather than Harrisburg PA.

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Connections

Referenced in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet: Full House (1959)

User Reviews

I am a Pennypacker (grandmothers side)

I am a PA Pennypacker on my grandmothers side. I sincerely thought the movie was insulting to the real Pennypackers. There is a coincidence though. Although it "may not" be true of the bigamy involving my great father Pennypacker. It is true of my grandfather, Thomas Hogan. He had two wives that did not know about each other and then there was my grandmother. After bearing 9 children for my grandfather, he married my grandmother and proceeded to have just one more. My father. My father was the only legitimate Hogan of that group of children. In all I am told there were 27 children. My fathers brothers and sisters took his first name Thomas as their last names. It's a shame. Because in this day and age, it wouldn't have mattered. I loved them all. Sincerely, Nancy Hogan Wilson

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 1959 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1