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Life with Father (1947)

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Average Rating: 7.5/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 10 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 1,454

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Movie Info

The longest-running non-musical play in Broadway history, Life With Father was faithfully filmed by Warner Bros. in 1947. William Powell is a tower of comic strength as Clarence Day, the benevolent despot of his 1880s New York City household. Irene Dunne co-stars as Day's wife Vinnie, who outwardly has no more common sense than a butterfly but who is the real head of the household. The anecdotal story, encompassing such details as the eldest Day son's (James Lydon) romance with pretty

Unrated, 1 hr. 58 min.

Classics, Comedy

Directed By: Michael Curtiz

Written By: Donald Ogden Stewart

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1947 Wide

On DVD: Aug 4, 1998

Madacy Entertainment

Life with Father Trailer & Photos

Cast

William Powell
Clarence Day
Irene Dunne
Vinnie Day
Monte Blue
Policeman
Zasu Pitts
Cora
Clara Blandick
Mrs. Wiggins
Johnny Calkins
Whitney
Emma Dunn
Margaret
Edmund Gwenn
Rev. Dr. Lloyd
Elizabeth Taylor
Mary Skinner
Nancy Evans
Delia
Mary Field
Nora
Frank Elliott
Dr. Somers
Queenie Leonard
Maggie
Moroni Olsen
Dr. Humphries
Jimmy Lydon
Clarence
Elizabeth Risdon
Mrs. Whitehead
Derek Scott
Harlan
Heather Wilde
Annie
Martin Milner
John
Jean Andren
Mother of Twins
Russell Arms
Stock Quotation Operato...
Joe Bernard
Cashier
Arlene Dahl
Girl in Delmonico's
Jean Del Val
Francois
Creighton Hale
Father of Twins
Hallene Hill
Douglas Kennedy
Mr. Morley
Philo McCullough
Milkman
George Meader
Salesman
Michael Mineo
One of Twin Boys
Clara Reid
Cleaning Woman
Henry Sylvester
Laura Treadwell
Churchgoers
Philip Van Zandt
Clerk
Lois Bridge
Corsetierre
David Cavendish
Elaine Lange
Ellen
Faith Kruger
Hilda
James Metcalfe
Customer
Lucille Shamburger
Nursemaid
Gertrude Valerie
John Beck
Perkins the Clerk
Dr. Martin Jack Rosenblum
Chef
Elisabeth Risdon

Critic Reviews for Life with Father

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)

Irene Dunne and William Powell have captured to a considerable extent the charm of the play by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

March 26, 2009 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

Powell is nothing less than magnificent as the mustached philosophizing patriarch, and Dunne casts a warm glow beside him.

March 24, 2011 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

Curtiz knocks it together without so much as breaking sweat.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Trevor Johnston

Time Out

All in all it's innocuous with infrequent laughs.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

Good cast, competent direction can't save this seemingly interminable nostalgia flood.

January 22, 2003 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Dunn and Powell are adorable, musty charm in this sweet family classic.

September 12, 2002 Comment

Audrey Rock-Richardson

Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

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Audience Reviews for Life with Father

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An interesting, intelligent, and realistic family drama with a great cast. I really liked it, although it was a bit boring at times.

September 5, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

i'd forgotten all about this charming film based on a long running broadway play. william powell is hilarious as the always exasperated father of a red-headed brood in late 19th century new york. the wonderful irene dunne keeps the family on course. 15 yr old elizabeth taylor has a small part. delightful :)

August 23, 2010

Stella Dallas

Super Reviewer

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