Bachelor Mother

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Bachelor Mother

Released Aug 4, 1939

1h 21m

Romance

Comedy

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100%

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8 Reviews

89%

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1,000+ Ratings

Polly Paris (Ginger Rogers) accidentally stumbles into motherhood after discovering an abandoned baby on the steps of an orphanage. Believing the baby is Polly's, department store owner J.B. Merlin (Charles Coburn) and his son David (David Niven) offer Polly a job -- but only if she takes responsibility for the child. Unemployed and in need of work, Polly accepts and all seems well, until her increasingly romantic relationship with David raises suspicions about the child's paternity.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

What distinguishes it is a certain appealing belief in its own simplicities, a keeping of faith with its people, making their troubles felt as troubles and never letting them down into meanness or absurdity just for a laugh.

May 7, 2024

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an appealing premise that’s employed to low-key yet watchable effect...

Rated: 3/4

Mar 16, 2024

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

Still has a lot to say about the way we treat women and mothers. Plus very sweet and endearing

Jan 8, 2024

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Raquel Stecher

The Movie Palace Podcast

"a sweet story... part workplace comedy, part family story, part romance, part holiday story... the actors all have winning performances... they are all on their A game."

Dec 31, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Grason Kanin's witty comedy in which Ginger Rogers plays a single mother was a commercial hit, demonstrating her viability as a dramatic actress and comedienne after her separation from dance partner Fred Astaire.

Rated: B+

Dec 28, 2010

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Makes the most of a misunderstanding over maternity.

Rated: B-

Dec 21, 2008

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Joel H

It's been many years since I first watched Bachelor Mother. To be honest, I didn't remember that much about it, aside from the basic plot and the fact that I found Ginger Rogers to be very charming. I'm happy to say that I still found it to be an enjoyable movie, and I still think Ginger Rogers is very charming. And David Niven is no slouch, either. This lighthearted film just has such a sweet innocence to it, even though it's based around child abandonment. It also made me chuckle multiple times. If you're a fan of romantic comedies, Bachelor Mother is definitely a movie you should check out.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

Steve D

Really Cute and a lot of fun.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/17/23

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john h

A personal favorite. Excellent in every regard.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Frances H

Although the story line iwas used in the later film, bundle of Joy, there are small differences that make a huge difference. But the biggest difference is choice of actors--Ginger Rodgers delivery is perfect and David Niven could act rings around the poor acting of Eddie Fisher. Charles Covurn is also perfect! And Ginger Rodgers line at the very end of the film makes all the difference! Don't bother with bundle of Joy, which tried to make this plot into a musical, but with not one memorable song! This is the only version worth your time!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Things happen there are like 4 good jokes the ending is kinda will stop here thats good enough.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

Ginger Rogers had a whole career apart from Fred Astair. And this is a highlight. One of the best mistaken identity comedies you're ever gonna see.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Garson Kanin

Director

Ginger Rogers

Polly Parrish

David Niven

David Merlin

Charles Coburn

J. B. Merlin

Frank Albertson

Freddie Miller

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Synopsis

Polly Paris (Ginger Rogers) accidentally stumbles into motherhood after discovering an abandoned baby on the steps of an orphanage. Believing the baby is Polly's, department store owner J.B. Merlin (Charles Coburn) and his son David (David Niven) offer Polly a job -- but only if she takes responsibility for the child. Unemployed and in need of work, Polly accepts and all seems well, until her increasingly romantic relationship with David raises suspicions about the child's paternity.

Director: Garson Kanin
Producer: Buddy G. DeSylva
Screenwriter: Felix Jackson, Norman Krasna
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures, Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 4, 1939, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 21m
Sound Mix: Mono

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