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Father of the Bride

Play trailer Poster for Father of the Bride Released Jun 16, 1950 1h 33m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
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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Father of the Bride

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Mark A Spencer Tracy's slow burn is wonderful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/16/22 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 Audience Member This movie reminds me why I hate comedies. They end up not being funny. Tracy tries to make it work and somehow the movie doesn't fall into boredom. But I just feel if they went with a different route this would end up being more interesting. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member I was more than engaged, I was captivated--mainly because of the performance from Spencer Tracer. Elizabeth Taylor was very, very young and I see why she was so treasured in Hollywood. She glowed and waa so endearing and precious. The film was humorous, heart warming and very authentic to me. A fantastic movie dor that time period tbat resonates today still for so many reasons. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Father of the Bride

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Pandro S. Berman
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
Runtime
1h 33m
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