- Mama Loves Papa (1933 film)
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This article is about the 1933 film. For the 1945 film, see Mama Loves Papa (1945 film).
Mama Loves Papa 
1933 theatrical posterDirected by Norman Z. McLeod Screenplay by Arthur Kober
Douglas MacLean
Keene ThompsonStory by Nunnally Johnson
Douglas MacLeanStarring Charles Ruggles
Mary Boland
Lilyan Tashman
George BarbierCinematography Gilbert Warrenton Editing by Richard C. Currier Studio Paramount Pictures Release date(s) July 14, 1933 (USA) Running time 68 minutes Country United States Language English Mama Loves Papa is a 1933 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Norman Z. McLeod, with a story by Nunnally Johnson and Douglas MacLean, and a screenplay by MacLean, Keene Thompson and Arthur Kober. The film was produced by Paramount Pictures and stars Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland.[1][2][3]
Contents
Plot
While Wilbur Todd (Charles Ruggles) is content with his middle class life, his wife Jessie (Mary Boland) aspires to a higher social stannding. She insists he wear fine clothes because she believes that clothes make the man. When his strange new clothes bring derision rather than admiration, and tired of his wife's constant nagging, Wilbur goes off on a drunken spree and innocently becomes involved with the village vamp, Mrs. McIntosh (Lilyan Tashman).
Cast
- Charles Ruggles as Wilbur Todd
- Mary Boland as Jessie Todd
- Lilyan Tashman as Mrs. McIntosh
- George Barbier as Mr. Kirkwood
- Walter Catlett as Tom Walker
- Morgan Wallace as Mr. McIntosh
- Ruth Warren as Sara Walker
- George Beranger as Basil Pew
- Tom Ricketts as Mr. Pierrepont
- Warner Richmond as The Radical
- Frank Sheridan as The Mayor
- Tom McGuire as O'Leary
- and Gail Patrick in a minor role
Reception
The New York Times wrote that Charles Ruggles "routine comedy method is so uproarious that it is in danger of obscuring his other talents" and that as Wilbur Todd he "produces an authentic and believable character in the principal role, playing down his scenes with admirable restraint." They also wrote that as Wilbur's well-maning wife Jessie, Mary Boland "is a comedienne who successfully resists the temptation to manufacture broad farce and easy laughs."[1]
In the Toledo News-Bee journalist Allen Saunders made note that actor Charles Ruggles had been so long identified with sight and sound humor, that audiences had nearly forgotten that he could speak, and that in Mama Loves Papa he "has a chance to do a good job and he does it." In describing the supporting cast and action, he wrote that with the team of Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland, the film was in "capable hands". He concluded by writing that "Mama Loves Papa is one of the best litle comedies of the season".[3] San Jose News wrote that the film was "an effervescent farce", that is "a perfect satire on the family next door."[2]
Hal Erickson of Rovi wrote that the team of Mary Boland and Charles Ruggles collaborating with Norman Z. McLeod made for a delightful film. Noting that the film was "very basic material", he wrote that because of its stars, director, and screenwriter Nunnally Johnson, the film "emerges as something truly special." He also made note that the National Board of Review selected the film as one of the best of its year.[4]
Recognition
- 1933, nomination for 'Best Picture' by National Board of Review[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b A.D.S. (July 24, 1933). "review: Mama Loves Papa (1933)". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F01E7DD163DE333A25757C2A9619C946294D6CF. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Vaudeville Opens at Fox Cailifornia Today". San Jose News (Google News Archive): pp. 31. August 1, 1933. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JzAiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EaQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=940,2537124&dq=mama-loves-papa&hl=en. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ a b Allen Saunders (August 2, 1933). "Mr. Rugles Comes Into His Own in New Comedy About Domestic Life". Toledo News-Bee (Google News Archive). http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vatXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=00QNAAAAIBAJ&pg=827,2614105&dq=mama-loves-papa&hl=en. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ a b Hal Erickson. "Mama Loves Papa (1933)". Rovi. http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/mama-loves-papa-v101058?r=allmovie. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
External links
1930s Monkey Business (1931) · The Miracle Man (1932) · Horse Feathers (1932) · Mama Loves Papa (1933) · Alice in Wonderland (1933) · It's a Gift (1934) · Pennies from Heaven (1936) · Topper (1937) · Merrily We Live (1938) · There Goes My Heart (1938) · Topper Takes a Trip (1938) · Remember? (1939)1940s Little Men (1940) · Lady Be Good (1941) · Jackass Mail (1942) · Panama Hattie (1942) · The Powers Girl (1943) · Swing Shift Maisie (1943) · The Kid from Brooklyn (1946) · The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) · Road to Rio (1947) · Isn't It Romantic? (1948) · The Paleface (1948)1950s Let's Dance (1950) · My Favorite Spy (1951) · Never Wave at a WAC (1953) · Casanova's Big Night (1954) · Public Pigeon No. 1 (1957) · Alias Jesse James (1959)Categories:- 1933 films
- American films
- English-language films
- Films directed by Norman Z. McLeod
- 1930s films
- 1930s comedy films
- American comedy films
- Paramount Pictures films
- Black-and-white films
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