The Bachelor Father
Lonely in his English country estate, Sir Basil decides to gather his grown (albeit illegitimate) children around him in his declining years. He uses a ledger which keeps track of the payments he has been making to ex-lovers to locate 2 of them, and a third is found by a lawyer in New York, her mother was too proud to accept any money. Sir Basil is a curmudgeon, and his three adult children have a hard time with him at first. Toni, the American, is a free spirit who had a budding career in show business. Jeffery is English and a semi-gentleman, and Maria is Italian, with a Latin temperament. They begin to bond, especially Sir Basil and Toni, whose outgoing personality finally wins over the old man. But past lives begin to creep back into the picture and threaten the old man's plans for a life filled with his children.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy and indulgent father, John Luke (Adolphe Menjou), struggles to keep his lovely daughter, Penny (Nancy Carroll), away from unsuitable suitors. When Penny falls for a charming but seemingly penniless young man, Luke attempts to use his considerable resources to break up the romance. However, his efforts to prove the suitor is only after the family fortune inadvertently lead to a comical entanglement, forcing Luke to re-evaluate his paternal interference and the true nature of love.
Critical Reception
While not a widely discussed film today, 'The Bachelor Father' was a moderate success upon its release, generally praised for its lighthearted comedic tone and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Adolphe Menjou. It was seen as a pleasant, if somewhat conventional, romantic comedy typical of the early sound era.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its witty dialogue and Adolphe Menjou's sophisticated comedic timing.
- Seen as an enjoyable, light romantic comedy with a charming premise.
- A well-crafted example of early sound-era studio filmmaking.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews from the era is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This film was based on the play of the same name by Edward Knoblock, which was first produced in London in 1927.
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