Father Takes a Wife (1941) User Reviews

Here Comes The Swanson

[HarlowMGM · 6/10 · 6 September 2009]

1941's FATHER TAKES A WIFE was Gloria Swanson's first motion picture in seven years. This quite modest little comedy is hardly an ideal comeback vehicle but Swanson herself in her autobiography admits it was the first movie she had been offered in years. If playing second fiddle to 51-year-old Adolphe Menjou, generally a supporting player in films at this point, was a bit humbling, 42-year-old Gloria dived in and proved she was ever the pro and still durably glamorous. Menjou stars as a shipping magnate who has fallen for stage star Swanson; all business for decades, he is now in his second youth with this new romance. He hands over the business to son John Howard and the middle-aged newlyweds embark on a honeymoon cruise to Mexico. Returning to the states, Menjou discovers a stowaway on board, Desi Arnaz, who is a concert singer in his unstated native country (doubtlessly Cuba). Sympathetic at first, Menjou moves Arnaz into the family mansion so he can practice for launching a career in America but the arrangement quickly gets on his nerves as Arnaz more than makes himself at home and in particular, his resentment at wife Swanson's devotion to being the benefactress for the young protégé.

This movie is only 79 minutes but it seems longer with it's episodic turns and not particularly amusing attempts at humor. Swanson looks gorgeous in some very lovely fashions but in several scenes she saddled with a not particularly flattering hairstyle. Her voice at times a little too hesitant for her role as a headstrong veteran star, as if she may be afraid some of her character's actions may seem a bit unsympathetic but it's still a good performance. Menjou is in fine form as the bewitched if often exasperated spouse. John Howard and Florence Rice do well as Menjou's son and daughter-in-law and Arnaz is fun as the conceited if innocuous protégé. Indeed, a times the Swanson-Arnaz angle seems like a family-friendly version of SUNSET BLVD's Swanson-William Holden. Trivia buffs may want to watch for unbilled bits by Loretta Young's ex-husband Grant Withers (as Judge Waters) and Ginger Rogers' future husband Jack Briggs (as Menjou's chauffeur).

Predictable and unmemorable, FATHER TAKES A WIFE deserves at least one viewing for the rather rare chance to see the legendary Gloria Swanson in a sound motion picture.

Glamorous Gloria Swanson Saves Film -- Almost

[mikhail080 · 6/10 · 18 January 2011]

Legendary silent screen superstar Gloria Swanson comes to the rescue of this tepid romantic comedy. Her screen appearances in talkies are rare enough to make every one of them a "must-see" for devotees of show business in general and films in specific.

Here, the iconic actress actually plays second fiddle to lead Adolphe Menjou. She gamely jumps into this very minor programmer lending it a glossy sheen with her unique charm and style. Never really an actress know for her comedic skills, Swanson here demonstrates her skill at it and it apparent that she enjoys the genre.

The plot may be as lightweight as a champagne bubble, but Swanson's melodious voice and her glamorous facade certainly elevate the proceedings to a very enjoyable eighty minutes. And old pro Menjou makes a good fit for her costar because of both his age and his height, and the audience can easily believe in their relationship. Able support also comes from dashing and boyish Desi Arnaz and droll Helen Broderick.

Swanson sports some fantastic and outrageous costumes sure to delight every fan of Hollywood fashion in the 1940's. The fur ensemble that she wears in the play within the movie is off the charts in terms of luxurious glamor and style. Anyone fascinated by the beautiful and impracticable costumes of Hollywood designers will have a field day here.

If not for Swanson, I'd give this movie four out of ten stars, but because of her -- I'll add two more!

Gloria Swanson's next to last Hollywood film

[Dunham16 · 7/10 · 24 July 2012]

This was Swanson's supposed film comeback, followed ten years later by her last and quite different film, SUNSET BOULEVARD. A tightly scripted nutty comedy which probably played better on the stage where one line followed the other without long silent panning shots, it has Swanson playing familiar Hollywood names Adolf Menjou and Desi Arnaz, and stage personalities John Howard, Florence Rice and Helen Broderick.What makes the film enjoyable, to me, are the long, tight scenes so superbly played by Gloria and Desi, that their charisma creates comic genius. Beyond this, you have the potential of a very funny, nutty comedy which neither the director nor the camera operator seems to help make shine.

predictable, quite funny in spots

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 8 August 2015]

Adolphe Menjou, Gloria Swanson, Desi Arnaz, John Howard, with Helen Broderick and Florence Rice star in "Father Takes a Wife," from 1941.

Much is made of the fact in this film that shipping magnate Frederick Osborne Sr. (Menjou) is marrying a much younger woman in the famous actress Leslie Collier (Swanson). We see him exercising and doing different things to try and stay young. In truth, Menjou was around 50-51 when this movie was made, and Swanson was around 42. Not much of an age difference.

Fred Jr. (Howard) is shocked and worried -- dad has a temper, is used to getting his way, and Leslie, alas, is the same way. In fact they quarrel immediately before and after the wedding.

Their honeymoon is a sea voyage, and Fred meets Carlos (Desi Arnaz), who is a stowaway, going to New York to make it as a singer. Fred takes pity on him and wants him to stay with him and Leslie at their home.

When Leslie hears this, she hits the ceiling. Fred is thinking that since Leslie promised to quit acting, helping Carlos in show business will give her the attention she has always had. She says no.

When she is introduced to Carlos, suddenly she's all smiles and insisting he stay with them. Carlos has his own floor but he still manages to drive them insane singing the same passages over and over as he prepares for his debut, arranged by Leslie. Between the singing and the lack of attention from Leslie, Fred Sr. leaves and goes to his son's home.

Junior and Enid decide to let Carlos stay with them. Father and son then get together and decide they need to somehow have Carlos' career take place elsewhere.

I actually enjoyed the Desi Arnaz sequences the best. They were very funny. Carlos is first off, a complete egomaniac, and his rehearsals would drive anyone insane.

Swanson is very good, but this really isn't much of a story for her. She doesn't come off as Fred's young wife at all and for me, her performance was more of a stage performance.

Menjou also was very good, but I felt they made an odd couple. Each would have done better with someone else playing their spouse. For Menjou, maybe Claudette Colbert, who was 39 at the time but less aggressive; and for Swanson, perhaps Edward Arnold, who would have been funny exercising etc.

Worth seeing especially for Swanson. There are certainly opportunities to see her on film, but not a heck of a lot, and she usually played more exotic roles. This is a chance to see her in something slightly different.

Mildly satisfying comedy

[beyondtheforest · 7/10 · 20 May 2007]

It is likely that the viewer's main interest in the film will be Gloria Swanson, and this is her only film appearance from the 1940s. That said, she is not photographed at her best, and appears in need of an image overhaul. Her lipstick is dark, and formed into a 1920s-looking pout. Her face has aged considerably since her heyday just a decade earlier. Her hairstyle is unflattering as well. Her comic timing and talent, however, seem to be somewhat intact, but it's hard to tell under such feeble direction.

It is a mildly amusing comedy. It has moments that absolutely work, and other moments that are of their era and rather dated. Some of the situations, such as Swanson giving up her career for marriage, will not be taken lightly by feminists. Yet other scenes point in a more modern direction. The dialogue is hit-or-miss. Certainly, you will find yourself chuckling now and then! The performances are adequate, yet ordinary. Even Swanson, one of the greatest actresses, is below par. However, the film is a curiosity and is not by any means bad or unwatchable. It is worth viewing.

Just turn off your brain and enjoy...

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 5 November 2013]

It's hard to imagine that this enjoyable comedy lost money when it debuted, as it's witty and fun. However, lost money it did.

"Father Takes a Wife" begins with Freddie (Adolph Menjou) behaving like a love-struck teen--even though he's in his 50s and the head of a major shipping company. He doesn't care, as he's planning on marrying Leslie (Gloria Swanson). But, there is a slight problem--both Freddie and Leslie are rather stubborn and several times this leads to problems. The first is minor and occurs on their wedding day. The second, and MUCH more serious, begin during their honeymoon. An incredibly egotistical 'singing genius', Carlos (Desi Arnez), stows away on their ship. At first the couple befriend him, as Carlos is quite charming. However, their friendship and patience is tested when he moves in with them and Leslie decides to be his sponsor. Not surprisingly, Freddie is jealous--not just because she could be having an affair but because he feels so left out! Now you'd think things would get better when Freddie's grown children take Carlos in, but it doesn't. What's next for this young old couple?

This is a great example of a film whose plot is ridiculous BUT you can really enjoy the film if you turn off your brain and don't think about this. This is because the characters are wonderful (especially Arnez and Helen Broderick) and the dialog very clever and funny. A nice little time-passer.

How Gloria got her Groove Back

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 12 January 2011]

Seven years after reaching for "Music in the Air" and nine years before heading down "Sunset Boulevard", the not forgotten Gloria Swanson made a brief return to films for this fluffy "B" RKO comedy that is the soufflé to "Music in the Air's" strudel and "Sunset Boulevard's" Roast Beef. Like those two films, she is an actress, as in the first film she was an operetta star and of course a silent film diva in the later one. It's ironic that for her "Sunset Boulevard" follow-up, she chose to play another movie star in the frank-and-beans comedy "Three For Bedroom C". But here, she's a Broadway star who ensnares a multi-millionaire (Adolph Menjou), a widower with a stuffy son (John Howard) and a neglected but stuffy wife (Florence Rice). Swanson's companion is her man-hungry Aunt Julia (Helen Broderick), a woman who's done practically everything twice and has a wisecrack for every situation. On their honeymoon, Menjou and Swanson encounter a sexy Latin singer (Desi Arnaz) who has stowed away on Menjou's boat. Swanson decides to sponsor Arnaz for a concert career which brings problems into both marriages depicted in the story. Arnaz, who in several scenes resembles Mario Lanza, is extremely handsome and charming, and shows the comic aptitude he would later get on "I Love Lucy".

Swanson, of course, is stunning and does a fine job. Menjou is first seen dancing in a cab to his portable radio. It's his turn to shine in a comic lead, but Swanson is no slouch in comedy herself. Howard and Rice have rather one dimensional roles but are alright in them. Every time Helen Broderick is on screen, she livens it up considerably. While Eve Arden may have been considered the queen of the wisecrack during the 40's, Helen Broderick would be the queen mother. This isn't a classic by any means, typical of most RKO fair of the time, but to get a glimpse of Swanson back on screen after a while is worth it.

Father Takes a Wife

[StevenKeys · 7/10 · 6 May 2021]

In the period between Sadie (28) and Sunset (50), Gloria's roles were rare (8), critical review just medium. But in Father, her still gorgeous glims, deftness at dialogue and flair for funny makes one wonder what might've been had she the opportunities of the slightly younger Crawford (08) and Garbo (05), the former set to soar (Mildred), the latter leaving her best "faces" in the Silents. Directed by Jack Hively (The-Saint Lassie tv), Father co-stars Adolph Menjou, Helen Broderick, Mary Treen, Neil Hamilton, Grady Sutton, Desi Arnaz, Florence Rice and John Howard as the jealous Junior (2.5/4).

Father Takes a Wife review

[JoeytheBrit · 5/10 · 9 May 2020]

A business magnate retires to enjoy his marriage to a famous actress, much to his adult son's annoyance. Mediocre comedy from RKO that initially looks as though it might cover new ground, but which quickly falls back on the usual formula of marital suspicion and misunderstandings when immigrant singer Desi Arnaz shows up.

A Favorite Comedy

[Sheila_Beers · 10/10 · 13 January 2011]

This is a favorite comedy of mine, and I hope it will become available on DVD very soon. In my first viewing, the title and plot of the film reminded me of the children's song, "The Farmer in the Dell." As everyone knows, "the farmer takes a wife" in the first verse, and in this film, "father takes a wife" with this act being the catalyst for the conflict and rising action in the plot. According to the children's song and the natural order of things, "the wife takes a child," meaning she wants or needs a child. In the film, the actress wants to mother some being who will compensate for the theatrical career she sacrificed for the marriage. However "father" and his actress wife, both well into middle age, are too old to have their own biological child. Adding to the disappointment, the father's biological children from his previous marriage are cold fish who do not accept his new wife and do not fulfill the wife's maternal needs.

When father and the wife find a stowaway singer, portrayed by Desi Arnaz, on their yacht, the singer becomes their child. Father and wife fulfill their desire for parenthood by becoming pseudo- parents in giving the young man a home and promoting his singing career. Like all idealistic newlyweds, they fail to see the downside of this "parenthood" until the singer keeps practicing the same concert song over and over and over. Like any annoying child who keeps repeating something, the singer drives them crazy.

I will have to see the film again to check for the disappointing elements mentioned by other posters, but this old classic still is one of my favorites.

Father Takes A Bride-What Else is New? ***

[edwagreen · 7/10 · 4 July 2012]

Gloria Swanson is terribly miscast here as Leslie Collier, Broadway actress, who marries tycoon widower Adolphe Menjou. With her veneer, there were certain scenes that Swanson looked like Norma Desmond, which would come 9 years later in the memorable "Sunset Boulevard." Let's face it, comedy was not Swanson's forte and she proved it in this film.

We see problems of women being liberated over the disagreement of the change of the luggage to reflect the marriage.

The film becomes one of jealousy when Desi Arnaz, of all people, enters as a stowaway on one of Menjou's ships. He is a singer and the couple take him in. Jealousy develops as Menjou is kicked out of his own home. Ditto occurs in his son's home. The son is played by John Howard.

Menjou is excellent in the title role because he acts just the way a tycoon, a successful businessman would act when he becomes smitten by Swanson.

Helen Broderick is a hit with the sharp lines as the maiden aunt of Swanson. She delivers her lines in the tradition of Eve Arden or a Thelma Ritter.

Swanson becoming pregnant here at the end of the film? Come on. She was past her prime in that.

Rather poor movie, but it has one or two good things.

[lnoft97 · 3/10 · 27 March 2012]

The 'rather poor':

1) Adolph Menjou (in a remarkably dated performance) blustering and actually being downright physically abusive - carping about how glamorous stage actress Gloria Swanson is HIS WIFE NOW, should change her last name to his, etc.. What a ....! Shut! Up! If I could I'd throw a snowball and knock that dumb top hat off his wooden head. 2) How MANY animals were killed to make all those fur coats? It's obscene how many furs are in this movie.

The 'one or two good things':

1) Well, in spite of all the dead animals hanging off her, Gloria Swanson swans about in some hilariously gaudy costumes and hats! Jersey, sequins, One Good Brooch, veils and muffs. 2) Desi Arnaz is in this movie, and he is not only talented and good looking, but the man was, is, and will always be sex on a stick. He is really good (compared with elderly blow hard Adolph Menjou, he's like a different species!)

This is a cheap, loud, black and white, run-of-the-mill "rom-com" of the 40's,interesting for Gloria Swanson's being in it. (and Desi Arnaz). I can't say I enjoyed it, but it's worth a glance for the clothes.

father takes a wife

[mossgrymk · 6/10 · 7 March 2021]

I echo the attitude of the majority of reviewers on this site...moderately amusing. The screenplay has some good zingers, mostly at the expense of the younger but stuffier in laws, but at one point early on Swanson's character says she can't do comedy and then goes on to prove it. Menjou, as usual, is a bit of a bore ,while Desi proves once again that, right around the time this film was made, he lucked into the most fortuitous of unions. Give it a C plus.

Father, wife, latin heartthrob and the rest of the family

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 20 January 2024]

There was considerable ballyhoo when RKO announced Gloria Swanson was back for a lead role in this sparkling romantic comedy. The dynamic actress, perhaps a bit too dynamic for a routine farce, had been on an acting hiatus for seven years. Her return to moviemaking was supposed to start a new chapter in her illustrious screen career. Unfortunately, FATHER TAKES A WIFE underperformed at the box office, so Swanson's real comeback would not occur until 1950's SUNSET BLVD.

The details for this film on the AFI website say that Swanson and leading man Adolphe Menjou, who is actually billed over her, had previously costarred in the 1920s. That is not true. Neither one had previously been in a film together. But it's clear they have a strong rapport, which lends a great deal of oomph to their scenes together. Swanson is cast as a glamorous actress (what else), and Menjou plays a conservative business tycoon who is reinvigorated by a midlife romance with her. A whirlwind courtship quickly leads to marriage.

In addition to working with Menjou, Swanson also shares scenes with young Desi Arnaz as a latin lover type interloper. In fact the scenes with Arnaz are probably the best part of the film. Not only is Arnaz in his prime, he's very funny with occasional bits that play up his otherness. He is first glimpsed as a stowaway on a honeymoon cruise that Swanson and Menjou are enjoying.

They feel sorry for Arnaz and take him back home to their lavish upscale digs in New York. Of course, there is very little talk about immigration papers; or if he has a family anywhere. But you just have to go along with these contrivances for the sake of comedy.

It seems a tad obvious that the screenwriters (brother and sister team of Dorothy & Herbie Fields) have seen MY MAN GODFREY and are taking their cue from that earlier picture. Though this effort is not as outlandish, we still have an over-the-top wife who is mentoring a foreign protege (the way Alice Brady interacted with Mischa Auer in the previous film)...since Swanson decides she will help Arnaz become the next big singing sensation. Moments where Arnaz is practicing operatic music, which nearly drive Menjou and his son (John Howard) up the wall, are fitfully amusing to watch.

In a way it's a shame this film didn't do better with contemporary audiences. Parts of the narrative are quite charming. It's not laugh out loud funny, but there are plenty of quirky characters to keep one engaged. Besides the cast I've already mentioned, we have Neil Hamilton as a persistent admirer. And Helen Broderick is also on hand to offer up sardonic quips as a character named Aunt Julie. Not sure if she was meant to be Swanson's aunt; or if that was just a pet name. At any rate, she joins the family after the Swanson-Menjou marriage occurs.

For the most part this is a pleasant way to spend 79 minutes. There are certainly worse romantic comedies from the same era. Ably assisted by her talented costars, Swanson is the main attraction.