
Father of the Bride
1950, Comedy, 1h 33m
31 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
With a terrific script, great performances from Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor, and assured direction from Vincent Minnelli, Father of the Bride endures as a sparkling comedy of its era. Read critic reviews
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Cast & Crew
Stanley T. Banks
Katherine "Kay" Banks
Ellie Banks
Buckley Dunstan
Doris Dunstan
Mr. Massoula
Critic Reviews for Father of the Bride
Audience Reviews for Father of the Bride
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Jul 29, 2015Elizabeth Taylor is classy as the original Kay Banks, though the 1950s twenty-something-who-lives-at-home-before-she-gets-hitched can't afford to be as multi-faceted a woman as the '90s redux. The black and white classic is an endearing production to be sure, but the film is a bit stuffy with no transition music or familial humor.Alice S Super Reviewer
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Aug 19, 2013A middle-class attorney has difficulty affording his daughter's wedding. Comparing this film to the Steve Martin remake yields some interesting conclusions. In the Martin version, everybody else, led by the Martin Short character, is nuts or at least a bit unreasonable. In the Tracy version, the father's penuriousness is put on the fore, and while his daughter makes demands, in today's context, nothing seems unreasonable. This adjustment puts the onus on Tracy's performance, He must somehow continue to garner the audience's sympathy without appearing to be too miserly to love his daughter. The only time when Tracy falters is when he's made to attempt to bribe his daughter into elopement. For the rest of the time, we'd follow Tracy anywhere. Overall, this is a strong version of a common story, propelled by the fine work of Spencer Tracy.Jim H Super Reviewer
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Aug 19, 2013I never saw the Steve Martin version but I hear that the remake is no different than the original in showing a benign and sometimes funny family. This results in "fun for the whole family". I'm sure your six your old will find the humour leading edge.
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Feb 18, 2012Spencer Tracy, as the grumpy, titular father, puts this film on his back and carries it. Incredibly dated, but still a loveable film, and one that features a very young Elizabeth Taylor. Interestingly skewers wedding conventions and the wedding industry in a way that I wish more films did. Sure, all can't help but work out in the end, but the journey is blackly funny and enjoyable.
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