Life With Father

Life With Father
Ah, remember those good old days when father ruled the roost, keeping a tight rein on the money, the kids, and the docile wife? Well, neither does Clarence Day (William Powell), the title character in Life with Father. Taking place in New York in 1883, this charming comedy purports to show the life of a strict father managing his house and his family, only to be constantly--and unknowingly--out-manipulated by his somewhat ditzy wife, Vinnie (Irene Dunne). Day is terrifying enough that maids keep quitting, but Vinnie manages to keep Day under control--that is, until she discovers that he was never baptized. A battle ensues as she desperately tries to ensure that they will one day meet in heaven, and all the while he severely maintains that the church has no business messing with a man's soul. Meanwhile, young Clarence Day Jr. (Jimmy Lydon) is busy falling for visiting Mary Skinner (played gigglingly by Elizabeth Taylor), and his brother John concocts a money-making scheme that involves the selling of a rather dubious potion. The costumes, the characters, and the wonderful story line--based on a play that was based on the memoir written by Clarence Day Jr.--make this a delightful movie that's perfect for a family-film night. --Jenny Brown
Customer Review: Life with Father
I ordered 3 dvds of the movie Life with Father. I bought these as Christmas gifts and I watched one myself and I was dissappointed. The quality was as if it had been taped right off the tv. I asked the about the other 2 copies and was told the same thing. What are you going to do about this? Sinerely, Pat Bedson
Customer Review: wonderful and funny
I enjoyed this movie because it has great views of life in a different century. A very young Elizabeth Taylor and Irene Dunn along with William Powell make this an entertaining 2 hours!