Father of the Bride

Rating:
Summary: Weddings Haven't Changed Much
Review: Spencer Tracy is the whole show in this story of a man who faces the ordeal of his daughter's wedding, an affair that grows to be much more than he ever expected it to be. Caterers, clothes, decorations, guest lists, and especially an escalating cost give him endless headaches, not to mention the fact he will be losing his only daughter. Tracy is excellent in a role that moves between being the voice of reason to being the voice that stirs up more trouble. He's very funny and his natural acting style makes him the perfect everyman / typical father. Joan Bennett stars as his wife, in her glory planning the wedding she never had, and she's very good. An incredibly beautiful Elizabeth Taylor is the bride, and it seems very ironic watching her in a movie about weddings! The humour is real since it is based in human nature, and so many of Tracy's frustrations over the wedding are still valid today. It's a very good film.

Rating:
Summary: At One Point for Liz Taylor, Art Imitated Life!
Review: That's because her first real-life wedding (to Nicky Hilton) was tied in to the publicity for "Father of the Bride", in which she plays the engaged daughter of Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett. It's really Tracy's movie, though, as it's told from the father's point of view via constant narrative. He's an upper middle class man being ridden roughshod over by bride Liz and mother of the bride Joan, picking up the tab for everything and just being driven to the point of blowing his top. By the end, his never being able to enjoy an iota of this spectacle he's financing is a little overdone I think, but it makes for a good laugh here and there. The best single shot is when he comes to escort Liz to the church and sees Liz in her beautiful dress--what a lovely creature she was way back when. Everybody who's ever even gone to a wedding should see "Father of the Bride" so they can compare notes.

Rating:
Summary: At One Point for Liz Taylor, Art Imitated Life!
Review: That's because her first real-life wedding (to Nicky Hilton) was tied in to the publicity for "Father of the Bride", in which she plays the engaged daughter of Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett. It's really Tracy's movie, though, as it's told from the father's point of view via constant narrative. He's an upper middle class man being ridden roughshod over by bride Liz and mother of the bride Joan, picking up the tab for everything and just being driven to the point of blowing his top. By the end, his never being able to enjoy an iota of this spectacle he's financing is a little overdone I think, but it makes for a good laugh here and there. The best single shot is when he comes to escort Liz to the church and sees Liz in her beautiful dress--what a lovely creature she was way back when. Everybody who's ever even gone to a wedding should see "Father of the Bride" so they can compare notes.

Rating:
Summary: A classic not to be missed!
Review: The original "Father of the Bride" with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn is one of the best movies made by the pair. It's a classic not to be missed. The best part, is that -- like so many of the movies in this genre -- they are timeless. A must see and a must own!!

Rating:
Summary: Takes the Cake--Wait There is No Cake.
Review: There is a reason that Spencer Tracy was one of Hollywood's most acclaimed actors. He could pull off any role and make it believable. He was one of the great everymen of his day. Watch, for instance, FATHER OF THE BRIDE and you will find yourself thinking of your own father, grandfather, uncle, or perhaps even yourself.

In the film, based off the novel by Edward Streetcar, Tracy plays Stanley Banks, an upper middle class lawyer who has his nerves put to wits ends when he learns nonchalantly over dinner one evening that his only daughter, Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) has just become engaged. His life is turned upside down in a few brief moments, as the simple thing he thought of as love turns into a nightmare called a wedding. Yet as much as things change, he learns that nothing really changes at all.

This original film version of Streetcar's novel stays true to the source and (as much as I love the remake) in many ways is far more entertaining than the Steve Martin version. The movie has dated some, yet it remains as enduring as ever. Watch it and laugh, maybe cry, then--if you can--give Dad a call.

Rating:
Summary: Father of Bride 1950
Review: This movie is what made movies great! The characters, actors portraying them, and the nostalgia all make for one of the best movies ever. This is Spencer Tracy at his best! This is a must see for all who appreciate movies that withstand the test of time. Here you will find true family enjoyment, that is so rare these days.

Rating:
Summary: dated but good
Review: this movie was recently pickicekd as one of the funniest movies of all tim i think its more cute than funny but its pretty good. i tthink its funny to see how chep thing s were back then if stanley was around today and saw the prices for a wedding he would freak.

Rating:
Summary: DVD transfer has weak extras
Review: While the movie itself sparkles with the inimitable charm of Tracy, Bennett and Taylor, the extras are somewhat disappointing. Not only do the vaunted newsreels have no sound, but the funny short (-Wedding Bells-, wasn't it?) that was on the VHS copy is not included here.

In addition, the quality of the transfer is not the stellar work that many have come to expect from the B&W movies released by Paramount. Apparently, the MGM films are of a lesser priority, since this particular film has scratches and dirt visible in places.

I'm sorry to have to say it, but I would recommend hanging on to that video for a while longer.