Bachelor Mother

We watched this because we're reading Nivens' autobiography The Moon's A Balloon and wanted to sprinkle in some of his movies along the way. This is a charming and watchable movie, and does not suffer from the staginess or stereotyped characters that many from this time do.

Gave it as a gift. Mom loves it.

Bachelor Mother a film starring Ginger Rogers in her RKO days, is a perfectly delightful comedy that has been forgotten over time to the point where few people know of it anymore. I'm really glad to see it as part of Amazon Video offerings so more people will be able to see it. By 1939 Ginger Rogers was a big star and could lead a cast in films created with her in mind even though her dance films with Fred Astaire were her most famous venue. This may not be a big, serious film like Kitty Foyle (1940) for which she won a best actress Academy Award, but it is a practically perfect little comedy where everything works.The cast sparkles, with Ginger hitting it off nicely with David Niven, who has just the right balance between his always proper manners and the slightly roguish character he plays as David Merlin, heir and co-manager of a large family-owned department store. Charles Coburn is grumpy but soft-hearted as David's father in the no nonsense manner that he was so adept at playing. There is also a rather caddish department store employee who has eyes for Polly (Ginger), an English butler of the utmost propriety, and a kind Jewish landlady. Ginger is a hard-working Christmas Season salesgirl, but the plot allows her to dress glamorously for one scene and she is absolutely gorgeous. But what really shines is her perfect comic timing and her facial expressions that are absolutely priceless.The film was both written and directed by Garson Kanin, who more often worked on Broadway. He and his wife, Ruth Gordon, wrote scripts independently rather than work within the studio system. They were in great demand because the quality of their scripts was always high, as Bachelor Mother shows. As this film goes from situation to situation, absolutely everything works: none of the comic scenarios falls flat and the dialogue is hilarious and witty. The New Year's Eve party scene is especially hilarious. All of this is set up by the most improbable and unlikely set of circumstances (not to mention one that could have been straightened out rather easily) but you don't care because the results are so enjoyable.Bachelor Mother may not be very famous but if you like classic comedies, don't miss this one.

Plays great.

This was one of the best screwball comedies of Hollywood's Golden Age, with just enough cynicism and class commentary to give a bit of bite to the two love stories at the core of the film. Ginger Rogers is at her very best here, and David Niven makes a fine partner for her.I wish there had been more special features, though.

This is a hilarious comedy of assumptions with a very strong cast. Ginger Rogers, David Niven and Charles Coburn all star in this delightful comedy.Ginger Rogers is a store clerk who happens to see a woman leaving a baby at the door of a church. She rushes forward to tell the woman not to do such a thing when suddenly the woman flees and the door opens. Ginger is assumed to be the mother of the baby and the priest insists that she keeps the child. And from there the story springs.The Church, in their role of helping, interferes at the store to make sure Ginger keeps her job so that she can raise the child. This brings her to the attention of her boss. Fascination and romance follow.Ginger is like a rider on a roller coaster. She can not get off or change things. She must hold on as best she can until the ride ends.This movie is wonderful and delightful, but only really works if one accepts the innocent nature of films of the day. Ginger is accused of having a baby. Even the people she has worked with every day believe it. All this despite that fact that in the movie Ginger has a waist of about sixteen inches and there is no way she could have been pregnant without everyone seeing her condition. But that aside, it is a truly wonderful film.

PLOT: out of work Polly Parrish spots a foundling baby on the doorstep of an orphanage~ they suspect it is hers~ and the fun begins~NEWLY laid off Polly Parrish is out of JOB~ on her way to the unemployment office she spots a foundling baby on the door step of the local orphanage~ THE BABY LOOKS like HER with blonde hair and blue eyes. Polly's Boss David Merlin (excellent elegent) David Niven is approached by the orphange reps and HE soon gives POLLY her job back and the Orphange Rep gives POLLY "her baby back"~ soon Polly on the way to the PINK SLIPPER for a dance contest drops off the "Johnny" (the baby) on David Nivens door step since it was his doing she got the baby~with the claim "IT'S NOT MY BABY"~ a hilarous chase has wealthy playboy Merlin (Niven) holding baby and hot on Pollys trial~ EVERY ONE ASSUMES "JOHNNY" IS HERS~ ADDED FUN is John B. Merlin Senior (Charles Coburn) who wishes his playboy son would settle down spots Polly, David Merlin and Baby in the park and believes this is HIS grandson~ now every one is chasing Polly down ~ great dance sequence with Ginger Rogers,fantastic acting, great plot, this one of the THE BEST early romantic comedies. and YES at long last out of DVD~I GIVE IT 5 STARS WITH TOP sizzle and SPARKLE BETWEEN NIVEN AND ROGERS AND COBURN STEALS THE SHOW AS THE PUSHY GRANDFATHER WANNA BE~FUN~!

I like this movie for its slapstick humor. I didn't like that it wouldn't play correctly, so I returned it.

Charming classic film, very funny at times. Ginger Rogers and David Niven on sparkling form. I remember seeing it on TV as a child, oldies like this should be on more often.

how a girl who was helpful could come in troubles when she pick up a baby from the doorsteps of a house to prevent it from rolling down the stairs

Just a brilliant, feel good movie. Black and white, they knew how to make 'ROM coms' back then, no smut needed! Ginger Rogers and David Niven at their wonderful best.

This is a really good comedy for it's time, with excellent performances from Ginger Rogers and David Niven. It is one of my favourite classic comedies. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the picture quality on the DVD is very soft, and pixelated in places. I hope, one day, a quality transfer is done of this film, as it deserves to be seen with a crystal clear print.

this is my most favorite christmas movie of all time...it is charming and romantic and all around entertaining