Spencer Tracy is ready for the Big Day.
True: Every time we see a Spencer Tracy movie, we nod and say, “That’s why he’s Spencer Tracy.”
Here, look at the opening scene of the beautifully-filmed Father of the Bride. Tracy sits in an easy chair in the midst of a glorious après-wedding mess. He casually rubs one foot and begins his direct-to-camera monologue with, “I would like to say a few words about weddings.” Then, with understatement, “I’ve just been through one.”
Tracy never seems to act; he just is, which always makes him fascinating to watch. This is important in a comedy like Father of the Bride where intriguing characters are the essence of the movie – because this is the plot: A man’s daughter gets married.
However, in the hands of the great Vincente Minelli, this low-action movie offers so many gems:
- Joan Bennett’s performance as the mother-of-the-bride, a cheerful one-woman tour de force who happily dismisses any concerns about extravagance.
- the trippy Billie Burke. Her voice and comic timing are always a treat.
- a marvelous screenplay, which is the perfect vehicle for Tracy as a lovable curmudgeon who is determined to win just one argument, and never does.
Like us, you may be a fan of the 1991 remake with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton – what’s not to love? – but promise us you’ll watch the original. You won’t want to miss it.
Starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor. Written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Directed by Vincente Minelli. MGM, 1950, 95 mins.
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Turned on the TV last week for some background noise while I was puttering around the house and the channel was on TCM and Father of the Bride had just started. To say the least the puttering stopped and I was pulled into one of the best movies Spencer Tracy had made. Love Liz Taylor…so young and incredibly beautiful.
So glad these movies are still around and being played for those of us who love the classics!
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I loved the Steve Martin one . And your perfect description of Spencer Tracy..
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The Steve Martin version is a gem, isn’t it? I love the scene-stealing Martin Short in that film, too.
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Have you seen this final part..https://youtu.be/zBXL_jSxLuE
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Thanks for the link. I hadn’t seen this yet. I love that it has the original cast – and then some.
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It is always a good thing when it’s the same cast, apart from Damien The Omen II that was a great find with William Holden and Lee Grant. Looking forward to your Plummer in a chunky jumper post.
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