Product: Father of the Bride [VHS] (1950)
Rating: 5.0
Quaint Look At a Revered Institution
There are almost certainly dated elements in "The Father of the Bride". I also thought Liz Taylor was a little too Hollywood glamorous to be playing a typical suburban American girl. The focus here, however, is Spencer Tracy in the title role and he is nothing short of brilliant. Gently balancing bemusement and bewilderment at the staggering cost emotionally and financially of losing his little girl Tracy doesn't strike a single false note. The film is also augmented by a witty voice-over narration by Tracy. I think it unfair to compare this film to the Steve Martin remake. I think both film's succeed and the remake, though adding some nineties touches, retains enough of the original's charming elements to stand up by itself.