"Adam Had Four Sons" is a wonderful drama and love story. But judging from most of the reviews to this date of my comments, it seems to me that most viewers didn't sense the depth of the story. I don't know if it is based on or is supposed to emulate Theodore Roosevelt and his family, as one or more reviewers have said. It is based on a novel by Charles Bonner, but I could find nothing online about him or his novel. The movie showed in France under a different title, "The Family Stoddard."
I make a distinction between romance and love in movies. The first is the most common and often involves comedy, gaiety, and the "feel good" emotions. It doesn't carry responsibility or commitment. Love is deeper, more serious, sacrificial and enduring. So, in this film, the relationship between Warner Baxter's Adam Stoddard and his wife, Molly (played by Fay Wray) clearly is one of love. Then, after she dies, and in later years after her return, Ingrid Berman's Emilie Gallatin falls in love with Adam; and he with her. Only, theirs is a distant, hands-off, respectful love that neither will voice. It's possible that the characters fear rejection, but more probable that they feel an unworthiness.
As I said, this is a love story - not a common Hollywood romance. This relationship finally comes to the fore when the sons coax Adam and Emilie separately, telling each of them how obvious it is that the other is in love with him/her.
But there's a great deal more to this film than that. It has some undertones of a morality play when Susan Hayward enters the picture as Hester Stoddard, the wife of David. Most other reviewers seem to latch onto Hayward's presence as putting life into the film. That she is a vixen and gold-digger, there's no doubt. But when Emilie discovers her infidelity, she then covers it up rather than see Adam hurt. Fortunately for all, this has a "happy" ending. Hester betrays herself, David survives his crazy flying suicide attempt, and Adam and Emilie become betrothed.
But, what if these last turns of events had not happened? If the truth about Hester had not come out, the love between Adam and Emilie would have ended with separation. What would Adam's house have turned into with an adulterous woman then in charge? And a son who didn't fess up to having betrayed a brother. One can only surmise what would have happened. But, for sure, it would not have been good for any of them. Why is this point important? Because an underlying tone of this movie is truth and honesty. Was Emilie really protecting or saving Adam from hurt and disgrace by covering up for Hester and Jack? Is wrong, harm, evil or sin ever made good by covering it up?
This movie is much more than drama and romance or melodrama. It's a story about family and love, sacrifice and caring, and yes - dishonesty, cheating, integrity and truth. Indeed, Adam's words toward the end, state his bedrock standard. He says, "The family has always lived by the truth. I wouldn't be hurt by it."
Besides Bergman, Baxter and Wray, this film has a first-rate cast, all of whom give superb performances.
I make a distinction between romance and love in movies. The first is the most common and often involves comedy, gaiety, and the "feel good" emotions. It doesn't carry responsibility or commitment. Love is deeper, more serious, sacrificial and enduring. So, in this film, the relationship between Warner Baxter's Adam Stoddard and his wife, Molly (played by Fay Wray) clearly is one of love. Then, after she dies, and in later years after her return, Ingrid Berman's Emilie Gallatin falls in love with Adam; and he with her. Only, theirs is a distant, hands-off, respectful love that neither will voice. It's possible that the characters fear rejection, but more probable that they feel an unworthiness.
As I said, this is a love story - not a common Hollywood romance. This relationship finally comes to the fore when the sons coax Adam and Emilie separately, telling each of them how obvious it is that the other is in love with him/her.
But there's a great deal more to this film than that. It has some undertones of a morality play when Susan Hayward enters the picture as Hester Stoddard, the wife of David. Most other reviewers seem to latch onto Hayward's presence as putting life into the film. That she is a vixen and gold-digger, there's no doubt. But when Emilie discovers her infidelity, she then covers it up rather than see Adam hurt. Fortunately for all, this has a "happy" ending. Hester betrays herself, David survives his crazy flying suicide attempt, and Adam and Emilie become betrothed.
But, what if these last turns of events had not happened? If the truth about Hester had not come out, the love between Adam and Emilie would have ended with separation. What would Adam's house have turned into with an adulterous woman then in charge? And a son who didn't fess up to having betrayed a brother. One can only surmise what would have happened. But, for sure, it would not have been good for any of them. Why is this point important? Because an underlying tone of this movie is truth and honesty. Was Emilie really protecting or saving Adam from hurt and disgrace by covering up for Hester and Jack? Is wrong, harm, evil or sin ever made good by covering it up?
This movie is much more than drama and romance or melodrama. It's a story about family and love, sacrifice and caring, and yes - dishonesty, cheating, integrity and truth. Indeed, Adam's words toward the end, state his bedrock standard. He says, "The family has always lived by the truth. I wouldn't be hurt by it."
Besides Bergman, Baxter and Wray, this film has a first-rate cast, all of whom give superb performances.