Father of the Bride

Released Jun 16, 1950

1 hr. 33 min.

Comedy

List

90%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When beautiful Kay Banks (Elizabeth Taylor) announces her engagement to Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor), her doting middle-class father, Stan (Spencer Tracy), must contend with a variety of problems, ranging from money issues to wedding planning difficulties. As things get hectic, Stan's wife, Ellie (Joan Bennett), tries to be the calm in the center of the storm. At the heart of the comedy, though, is Stan's emotional tie to his little girl, and his realization that she has indeed grown up.

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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.

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CodyZamboni

Movie is amusing, and at times, poignant. Tracy and the radiant Elizabeth Taylor are the whole show. Their charisma makes this movie. A lot of the jokes and comedic situations are tame, or fall flat, but the overall feel good vibe, and genuine emotion, and heartbreak of a father realizing he'll be missing his daughter, make this worthwhile viewing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/23

Full Review

Taylor L

Elizabeth Taylor announces to her parents that she's engaged, and before leaving that same seat admits that she doesn't know what her fiancé does for a living, just that he says "it's good to get married young". There are a few red flags there. This classic comedy basically has two jokes - "wow, that's expensive" and "wow, I'm so busy" - but Spencer Tracy gives a true star performance that shows a bit of sarcastic humor as a shield to cover up a mix of emotions hitting him, a bit of heartbreak at losing his only daughter and joy at seeing her happy. There isn't much in the way of character development or big narrative swings (even a brief squabble that threatens to derail the wedding is resolved in about two minutes), though one scene really breaks up the coasting tone - a supernatural nightmare scenario that sees Tracy sink into the aisle while others look on with giant phantom eyes. It looks like Orson Welles directed it, and as a representation of his nervousness and anxiety it's quite a spooky turn for the script. Apart from that, not many surprises especially if you're familiar with the Steve Martin remake, but an enjoyable classic that makes up for its more dated pieces with some real heart in its protagonist. Funny how Taylor is the bride-to-be in this one when she was notorious for her many marriages. Her fake film dad probably drew the line at financing that eighth marriage at Neverland Ranch. (3/5)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/08/23

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Mark A

Spencer Tracy's slow burn is wonderful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/16/22

Full Review

matthew c

Sometimes it is astounding how funny some of these older movies are. I watch the likes of "Some Like It Hot" etc, which are purported to be timeless comedy classics, but films like this, with simple understated interactions - that are still relatable to this day - are where the pure humour lies, for me. Great film, and Tracy is at his usual sterling best.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

joel h

While I do prefer the 1991 version of Father of the Bride, the 1950 version also has a lot to offer. Spencer Tracy's character is a little gruffer than Steve Martin, which makes him a little less likeable, yet I was still able to see his side of things, as I'm a dad with daughters, as well. Wedding customs have changed, styles have changed, family dynamics have changed, but there's still something timeless about this story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

david l

Father of the Bride is less developed in the other characters as it is overly concerned with the father's storyline, but still his story was one fueled by a whirlwind of emotions. Spencer Tracy was incredible in this role, delivering every single emotion that was expected of him. It is his career-best work without a doubt. The movie is limited in scope, but so tender and lovely throughout.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Vincente Minnelli

Director

Spencer Tracy

Stanley T. Banks

Elizabeth Taylor

Katherine "Kay" Banks

Joan Bennett

Ellie Banks

Don Taylor

Buckley Dunstan

Billie Burke

Doris Dunstan

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Spencer Tracy underplays the comedy to good effect, and Joan Bennett and Elizabeth Taylor are beautiful and efficient.

Jul 29, 2019

Full Review

TIME Magazine

Under Vincente Minelli's crisp direction, the fun rarely lets up.

Mar 23, 2011

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

This ostensibly lighthearted film about Spencer Tracy's Kafkaesque attempts to bring off his daughter's wedding is one of the bleakest films of a bleak decade.

Mar 23, 2011

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A genuine cinematic treasure, Father of the Bride finds Spencer Tracy delivering what I would deem his finest performance.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 9, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

What it needs - and never finds - is a few extraordinarily eccentric personas and some slapstick to even out the customariness of matrimonial stresses and wedding-day chaos.

Rated: 5/10

Aug 18, 2020

Full Review

Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

Old-fashioned, star-studded, father-daughter comedy.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 19, 2016

Full Review

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Synopsis

When beautiful Kay Banks (Elizabeth Taylor) announces her engagement to Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor), her doting middle-class father, Stan (Spencer Tracy), must contend with a variety of problems, ranging from money issues to wedding planning difficulties. As things get hectic, Stan's wife, Ellie (Joan Bennett), tries to be the calm in the center of the storm. At the heart of the comedy, though, is Stan's emotional tie to his little girl, and his realization that she has indeed grown up.

Director: Vincente Minnelli
Screenwriter: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 16, 1950, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009

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