Initially concerned about his teenage daughter getting married at such a young age, a loving father gradually becomes more worried about the escalating cost of financing the wedding in this Spencer Tracy comedy. Opening with Tracy talking to the camera - and carrying on with him as narrator - the film benefits greatly from the charisma that Tracy brings to the role. There are some excellent early moments as he scoffs over who his daughter's potential suitor might be and as he ends up waxing poetic about his own marriage during a meeting in which he intended to grill his future son-in-law. The second half of the film is not as funny though as Tracy becomes less vexed over his daughter marrying the right man and more concerned with the cost of the wedding. The gags in this section are all fairly predictable (e.g. accidentally ripping his old suit) and Tracy himself is more sympathetic when playing an overprotective father rather than a penny-pinching killjoy. There is, however, a very well done surreal nightmare sequence in the second half, which is pretty much the highlight of the whole movie. 'The Catered Affair' - released six years later - is of interest as a more dramatic approach to the same basic idea. This earlier film is not half-bad, but the choice to play everything as a buoyant comedy causes 'Father of the Bride' to resonate less in the mind.

First, a word about the main difference between this original story and the Steve Martin remake. The Steve Martin remake is a fine movie, but it is a comedy. The original is, in my view, a real story told with humor. I like both films, but in my view they are not really the same story.If you watch Spencer Tracy's films in order, you'll see him age rapidly in the second half of the 1940s. And here he has completed the transformation into a father figure...in this case a sort of "Father Knows Best" type of father. Yes, Tracy is getting older here, and that phase of his career is perhaps my favorite. This role was perfect for him, and he plays it marvelously. It is this Tracy I remember best.Joan Bennett plays Tracy's wife to a par. Perfect.I'm not a fan of the younger or the older Elizabeth Taylor, but at this age she was a gem, and this is one of her most endearing screen performances.You'll also recognize a number of character actors and actresses, including Billie Burke, Leo G. Carroll, Moroni Olsen, and Paul Harvey. I didn't recognize Russ Tamblyn as one of the sons, although it is a rather minor part.The plot here is simple -- all the real excitement, second thoughts, and planning of a wedding. That's what I mean about this being a real story. Done with light humor, but not a comedy. And excellent film and one deserving of a spot on your DVD shelf.

After his daughter selects a mate, the father must endure sleepless nights, sticker shock, and the disruption of his household as he navigates through the nightmare of wedding planning. Tracy is terrific as the harried father whose plans for a small wedding go awry. As his wife and daughter, Bennett and Liz Taylor aren't given much to do except look supportive and lovely, respectively. Interestingly, both actresses played Amy in film versions of "Little Women," Bennett in 1933 and Taylor in 1949. Don Taylor, who plays the groom, would have a long career as a TV director. Minnelli does a nice job of balancing the comedy and the sentimentality.

Father of the Bride (1950)**** (out of 4)A father (Spencer Tracy) is shocked when his daughter (Elizabeth Taylor) informs him that she's going to be married in three months. That shock soon turns to horror for the father when he realizes how much work is going to have to be done in order to pull off the perfect wedding. This here is a wonderful little film, although I hesitate to call it a comedy since the film's main goal isn't necessarily laughs but just making a slice of life story. I think the majority of the credit has to go to the wise casting of Tracy as the father since by this time he was best known for his heavy roles. The actor was always able to pull off comedy but I think casting him as the father, with his everyman type of persona, was just a masterful piece of casting and the actor doesn't disappoint in the role. I love the way he plays the part so natural and I'm glad he doesn't go over the top to get the laughs. Most of the laughs are just genuine little chuckles because the film doesn't try to force the viewer to laugh at stupid set ups but instead just gives us natural laughs as they come across in the story. Tracy does a wonderful job at playing someone who gets in over their head and has to deal with one problem after another while trying to remember that it's all for the good of his daughter. Taylor also shines in her supporting role. Her beauty is certainly on full display but, unlike many stars of today, her talent is also on display. Joan Bennett adds great support as Tracy's wife. I love the pacing of the film and I think Minnelli made the wise choice of making the film seem like we're just peeking in on this family. There's almost a strange, documentary like feel to the movie, which is another major plus. In the end, there's enough charm here for two movies with Tracy once again leading the way with his Oscar-nominated performance.