William Powell: Life With Father (Unrated)

William Powell: Life With Father (Unrated)


Starring:William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor, Edmund Gwenn, Zasu Pitts, Jimmy Lydon, Emma Dunn, Moroni Olsen, Elisabeth Risdon, Derek Scott, Johnny Calkins, Martin Milner, Heather Wilde, Monte Blue, Mary Field, Queenie Leonard, Frank Elliott, Hallene Hill, Jean Andren, Douglas Kennedy
Director: Michael Curtiz
Studio: Alpha Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Ah, remember those good old days when father ruled the roost, keeping a tight rein on the money, the kids, and the docile wife? Well, neither does Clarence Day (William Powell), the title character in Life with Father. Taking place in New York in 1883, this charming comedy purports to show the life of a strict father managing his house and his family, only to be constantly--and unknowingly--out-manipulated by his somewhat ditzy wife, Vinnie (Irene Dunne). Day is terrifying enough that maids keep quitting, but Vinnie manages to keep Day under control--that is, until she discovers that he was never baptized. A battle ensues as she desperately tries to ensure that they will one day meet in heaven, and all the while he severely maintains that the church has no business messing with a man's soul. Meanwhile, young Clarence Day Jr. (Jimmy Lydon) is busy falling for visiting Mary Skinner (played gigglingly by Elizabeth Taylor), and his brother John concocts a money-making scheme that involves the selling of a rather dubious potion. The costumes, the characters, and the wonderful story line--based on a play that was based on the memoir written by Clarence Day Jr.--make this a delightful movie that's perfect for a family-film night. --Jenny Brown
William Powell: Life With Father (Unrated)
Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
  • DVD of Life With Father
  • Lost Art
  • sound was warbled
  • Movie Review
  • wonderful film and story - horrible video transfer
 William Powell: Life With Father (Unrated)
Starring: William Powell , Irene Dunne , Elizabeth Taylor , Edmund Gwenn , and Zasu Pitts
Director: Michael Curtiz
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
Classic ComediesClassic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Blue, MonteBlue, Monte | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Dunne, IreneDunne, Irene | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Gwenn, EdmundGwenn, Edmund | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Hale, CreightonHale, Creighton | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Milner, MartinMilner, Martin | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Olsen, MoroniOlsen, Moroni | ( O ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Pitts, ZasuPitts, Zasu | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Powell, WilliamPowell, William | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Risdon, ElisabethRisdon, Elisabeth | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Taylor, ElizabethTaylor, Elizabeth | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Curtiz, MichaelCurtiz, Michael | ( C ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( W )( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. I Remember Mama
  2. Cheaper By the Dozen
  3. Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) / Belles on Their Toes
  4. Belles on Their Toes
  5. Father of the Bride (Snap case)

ASIN: B000067IVZ
Release Date: 2002-06-04

Amazon.com

Ah, remember those good old days when father ruled the roost, keeping a tight rein on the money, the kids, and the docile wife? Well, neither does Clarence Day (William Powell), the title character in Life with Father. Taking place in New York in 1883, this charming comedy purports to show the life of a strict father managing his house and his family, only to be constantly--and unknowingly--out-manipulated by his somewhat ditzy wife, Vinnie (Irene Dunne). Day is terrifying enough that maids keep quitting, but Vinnie manages to keep Day under control--that is, until she discovers that he was never baptized. A battle ensues as she desperately tries to ensure that they will one day meet in heaven, and all the while he severely maintains that the church has no business messing with a man's soul. Meanwhile, young Clarence Day Jr. (Jimmy Lydon) is busy falling for visiting Mary Skinner (played gigglingly by Elizabeth Taylor), and his brother John concocts a money-making scheme that involves the selling of a rather dubious potion. The costumes, the characters, and the wonderful story line--based on a play that was based on the memoir written by Clarence Day Jr.--make this a delightful movie that's perfect for a family-film night. --Jenny Brown

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars DVD of Life With Father.......2007-03-13

This is one of my favorite movies, however this version on DVD is a very poor one. The sound was somewhat garbled and the picture is very grainy. I enjoy the movie so I watched the entire contents, but it wasn't very enjoyable because of the quality.

5 out of 5 stars Lost Art.......2007-03-09

Why don't they make movies like this anymore? A great film, very charming. Great for the family.

2 out of 5 stars sound was warbled.......2007-01-19

This film is one of my favorites, for this reason I've been wanting to own it. I first purchased this dvd last year, through another source. I returned it due to bad quality in the sound, especially when Irene Dunn spoke, it made it very difficult to enjoy the film. I thought it may have been a bad batch of copy, so I decided to wait awhile before trying to buy it again. I saw this current dvd, showing different graphics on the jacket, and ordered the dvd again in hopes this copy would be good. It was not. I have seen this film shown on TCM on cabel TV, and the picture is good and the sound clear. If you have a dvd recorder and are able to copy from cable, that is your best bet with this one. I have ordered several dvd's through Amazon and have had no problems in any way, and would order through them again in future, just not this particular film. I wish a review like this had been written when I first had the thought to own "Life With Father", it would have saved me time and money in the effort.

5 out of 5 stars Movie Review.......2007-01-15

I have wanted this one for sometime, also. I enjoy William Powell, and also Irene Dunne.

1 out of 5 stars wonderful film and story - horrible video transfer.......2007-01-11

This is a wonderful period piece of a Victorian family in New York. However, the transfer to DVD is a disaster. It is almost impossible to hear or understand the dialog as it sounds like it was done with a scratched record. It is so disturbing that my students stopped paying attention and asked me to shut it off, which I did. I haven't watched it since. It's too bad because it is a great film. If you can find the VHS version you will be thrilled.
Life with Father
Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
  • DVD of Life With Father
  • Lost Art
  • sound was warbled
  • Movie Review
  • wonderful film and story - horrible video transfer
 Life with Father
Starring: William Powell , Irene Dunne , Elizabeth Taylor , Edmund Gwenn , and Zasu Pitts
Director: Michael Curtiz
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
Classic ComediesClassic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
ClassicsClassics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Family Life | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
DramaDrama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
ComedyComedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
Blue, MonteBlue, Monte | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Dunne, IreneDunne, Irene | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Gwenn, EdmundGwenn, Edmund | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Hale, CreightonHale, Creighton | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Milner, MartinMilner, Martin | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Olsen, MoroniOlsen, Moroni | ( O ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Pitts, ZasuPitts, Zasu | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Powell, WilliamPowell, William | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Risdon, ElisabethRisdon, Elisabeth | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Taylor, ElizabethTaylor, Elizabeth | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Curtiz, MichaelCurtiz, Michael | ( C ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
4-for-3 Comedy4-for-3 Comedy | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
4-for-3 Drama4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Kids & Family | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( L )( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. I Remember Mama
  2. Cheaper By the Dozen
  3. Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) / Belles on Their Toes
  4. Belles on Their Toes
  5. Father of the Bride (Snap case)

ASIN: 6305052107
Release Date: 1998-07-07

Amazon.com

Ah, remember those good old days when father ruled the roost, keeping a tight rein on the money, the kids, and the docile wife? Well, neither does Clarence Day (William Powell), the title character in Life with Father. Taking place in New York in 1883, this charming comedy purports to show the life of a strict father managing his house and his family, only to be constantly--and unknowingly--out-manipulated by his somewhat ditzy wife, Vinnie (Irene Dunne). Day is terrifying enough that maids keep quitting, but Vinnie manages to keep Day under control--that is, until she discovers that he was never baptized. A battle ensues as she desperately tries to ensure that they will one day meet in heaven, and all the while he severely maintains that the church has no business messing with a man's soul. Meanwhile, young Clarence Day Jr. (Jimmy Lydon) is busy falling for visiting Mary Skinner (played gigglingly by Elizabeth Taylor), and his brother John concocts a money-making scheme that involves the selling of a rather dubious potion. The costumes, the characters, and the wonderful story line--based on a play that was based on the memoir written by Clarence Day Jr.--make this a delightful movie that's perfect for a family-film night. --Jenny Brown

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars DVD of Life With Father.......2007-03-13

This is one of my favorite movies, however this version on DVD is a very poor one. The sound was somewhat garbled and the picture is very grainy. I enjoy the movie so I watched the entire contents, but it wasn't very enjoyable because of the quality.

5 out of 5 stars Lost Art.......2007-03-09

Why don't they make movies like this anymore? A great film, very charming. Great for the family.

2 out of 5 stars sound was warbled.......2007-01-19

This film is one of my favorites, for this reason I've been wanting to own it. I first purchased this dvd last year, through another source. I returned it due to bad quality in the sound, especially when Irene Dunn spoke, it made it very difficult to enjoy the film. I thought it may have been a bad batch of copy, so I decided to wait awhile before trying to buy it again. I saw this current dvd, showing different graphics on the jacket, and ordered the dvd again in hopes this copy would be good. It was not. I have seen this film shown on TCM on cabel TV, and the picture is good and the sound clear. If you have a dvd recorder and are able to copy from cable, that is your best bet with this one. I have ordered several dvd's through Amazon and have had no problems in any way, and would order through them again in future, just not this particular film. I wish a review like this had been written when I first had the thought to own "Life With Father", it would have saved me time and money in the effort.

5 out of 5 stars Movie Review.......2007-01-15

I have wanted this one for sometime, also. I enjoy William Powell, and also Irene Dunne.

1 out of 5 stars wonderful film and story - horrible video transfer.......2007-01-11

This is a wonderful period piece of a Victorian family in New York. However, the transfer to DVD is a disaster. It is almost impossible to hear or understand the dialog as it sounds like it was done with a scratched record. It is so disturbing that my students stopped paying attention and asked me to shut it off, which I did. I haven't watched it since. It's too bad because it is a great film. If you can find the VHS version you will be thrilled.
Life with Father/My Man Godfrey
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Life with Father/My Man Godfrey
    Starring: William Powell
    Manufacturer: Pop Flix
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
    DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
    ( L )( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
    4-for-3 Comedy4-for-3 Comedy | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
    4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
    Similar Items:
    1. Kennel Murder Case (1933) (B&W)
    2. Libeled Lady
    3. The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man)
    4. William Powell/Carole Lombard: 4 Movie Comedy
    5. Classic Comedies Collection (Bringing Up Baby / The Philadelphia Story Two-Disc Special Edition / Dinner at Eight / Libeled Lady / Stage Door / To Be or Not to Be)

    ASIN: B000FWHVH8
    Release Date: 2006-07-11
    Life with Father
    Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
    • DVD of Life With Father
    • Lost Art
    • sound was warbled
    • Movie Review
    • wonderful film and story - horrible video transfer
    		 Life with Father
    Starring: William Powell , Irene Dunne , Elizabeth Taylor , Edmund Gwenn , and Zasu Pitts
    Director: Michael Curtiz
    Manufacturer: Delta
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
    GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
    ClassicsClassics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
    GeneralGeneral | Family Life | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
    DramaDrama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
    ComedyComedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
    Blue, MonteBlue, Monte | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Dunne, IreneDunne, Irene | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Gwenn, EdmundGwenn, Edmund | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Hale, CreightonHale, Creighton | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Milner, MartinMilner, Martin | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Olsen, MoroniOlsen, Moroni | ( O ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Pitts, ZasuPitts, Zasu | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Powell, WilliamPowell, William | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Risdon, ElisabethRisdon, Elisabeth | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Taylor, ElizabethTaylor, Elizabeth | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Curtiz, MichaelCurtiz, Michael | ( C ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
    4-for-3 Comedy4-for-3 Comedy | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
    4-for-3 Drama4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
    4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
    DVDs Under $9.99DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
    All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
    GeneralGeneral | Drama | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
    GeneralGeneral | Kids & Family | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
    ( L )( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
    Similar Items:
    1. I Remember Mama
    2. Cheaper By the Dozen
    3. Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) / Belles on Their Toes
    4. Belles on Their Toes
    5. Father of the Bride (Snap case)

    ASIN: B00008K7AA
    Release Date: 2003-01-21

    Amazon.com

    Ah, remember those good old days when father ruled the roost, keeping a tight rein on the money, the kids, and the docile wife? Well, neither does Clarence Day (William Powell), the title character in Life with Father. Taking place in New York in 1883, this charming comedy purports to show the life of a strict father managing his house and his family, only to be constantly--and unknowingly--out-manipulated by his somewhat ditzy wife, Vinnie (Irene Dunne). Day is terrifying enough that maids keep quitting, but Vinnie manages to keep Day under control--that is, until she discovers that he was never baptized. A battle ensues as she desperately tries to ensure that they will one day meet in heaven, and all the while he severely maintains that the church has no business messing with a man's soul. Meanwhile, young Clarence Day Jr. (Jimmy Lydon) is busy falling for visiting Mary Skinner (played gigglingly by Elizabeth Taylor), and his brother John concocts a money-making scheme that involves the selling of a rather dubious potion. The costumes, the characters, and the wonderful story line--based on a play that was based on the memoir written by Clarence Day Jr.--make this a delightful movie that's perfect for a family-film night. --Jenny Brown

    Description

    Actor William Powell earned his third Oscar® nomination for the role of Clarence Day, the cantankerous paterfamilias of a redheaded clan. Life With Father earned four Oscar nominations.

    B&W
    Running Time: 118 min.

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars DVD of Life With Father.......2007-03-13

    This is one of my favorite movies, however this version on DVD is a very poor one. The sound was somewhat garbled and the picture is very grainy. I enjoy the movie so I watched the entire contents, but it wasn't very enjoyable because of the quality.

    5 out of 5 stars Lost Art.......2007-03-09

    Why don't they make movies like this anymore? A great film, very charming. Great for the family.

    2 out of 5 stars sound was warbled.......2007-01-19

    This film is one of my favorites, for this reason I've been wanting to own it. I first purchased this dvd last year, through another source. I returned it due to bad quality in the sound, especially when Irene Dunn spoke, it made it very difficult to enjoy the film. I thought it may have been a bad batch of copy, so I decided to wait awhile before trying to buy it again. I saw this current dvd, showing different graphics on the jacket, and ordered the dvd again in hopes this copy would be good. It was not. I have seen this film shown on TCM on cabel TV, and the picture is good and the sound clear. If you have a dvd recorder and are able to copy from cable, that is your best bet with this one. I have ordered several dvd's through Amazon and have had no problems in any way, and would order through them again in future, just not this particular film. I wish a review like this had been written when I first had the thought to own "Life With Father", it would have saved me time and money in the effort.

    5 out of 5 stars Movie Review.......2007-01-15

    I have wanted this one for sometime, also. I enjoy William Powell, and also Irene Dunne.

    1 out of 5 stars wonderful film and story - horrible video transfer.......2007-01-11

    This is a wonderful period piece of a Victorian family in New York. However, the transfer to DVD is a disaster. It is almost impossible to hear or understand the dialog as it sounds like it was done with a scratched record. It is so disturbing that my students stopped paying attention and asked me to shut it off, which I did. I haven't watched it since. It's too bad because it is a great film. If you can find the VHS version you will be thrilled.
    William Powell Double Feature: My Man Godfrey & Life with Father
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Two Classics on one DVD!
    		 William Powell Double Feature: My Man Godfrey & Life with Father

    Manufacturer: Family Value Collection
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video
    Similar Items:
    1. Kennel Murder Case (1933) (B&W)
    2. Laura (Fox Film Noir)
    3. The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man)
    4. All About Eve
    5. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

    ASIN: B000ANCYUQ

    Product Description

    Double Feature: Two Sided DVD starring William Powell in My Man Godfrey (96min) and Life with Father (130min).

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Two Classics on one DVD!.......2006-02-04

    Here's another double feature $1 DVD...this one we found at Walmart...

    I've always liked William Powell films...there always highly entertaining and contain nothing objectionable. Even his mermaid film was okay for children. This film is very clean. It's about upper-middle class family life in New York, 1883. Everything is top-notch. With suberb acting and a delightful musical score.
    See what a lady a young Elizabeth Taylor was!
    **** 4 Stars! Highly recommended family viewing.

    Here's what's on the other side...

    Not really a family film, but this is very entertaining, funny, and with a good moral to the story. And it's held up well over all these years. Godfrey is a homeless man living in a city dump. He ends up a butler to a disfunctional upper-class Manhattan family (the mother is a 'hoot'!). The acting is flawless. There is nothing objectional in this film, but i would not recommended it for children. Older teens might get something out of it...as there are some good lessons about character. But overall it's more of an adult family film.
    ***** 5 Stars! Very entertaining.

    DVD:

    1. Mr Destiny
    2. Malibu's Most Wanted (Widescreen Edition)
    3. Haiku Tunnel
    4. The American Astronaut
    5. Masters of Russian Animation - Volume 4
    6. Relative Values
    7. The Olive Thomas Collection: The Flapper/Olive Thomas - Everybody's Sweetheart
    8. ...And Justice For All
    9. Eiken
    10. Real Life

    DVD List

    DVD

    DVD

    Hot All Over - Welcome to St. Louis

    Whole Story, The: Elephants And Lions

    Quiet Days in Clichy

    DVD: Iron Fist

    Pendulum - Im Visier der Angst