Universal assembled a smashing cast for this comedy of American family life in 1950. To appreciate the plot, one should understand that before the mid-20th century, many in America didn't think that older people, especially widows and widowers, should marry again. It was even frowned upon by some, including younger people of the period.
So that sets the stage for this superb rollicking comedy, with a cast of several Academy Award winners and nominees. The setting is the town of Pleasantville, a suburb of a big city that has commuter trains. The movie playing at the town theater is "Harvey," starring James Stewart, which came out that year. Naturally, it was a Universal film.
Of the six main characters, only one - Ronald Reagan, never received an Oscar nomination. But his Harold 'Hal' Norton shows his fine talent for wry comedy in this film that is loaded with laughable dialog as well as numerous funny scenes. Reagan plays the dutiful son who is overly protective of his widowed mother. He is hilarious in his angst and disdain over her dating other men her age.
Hal's mother, Louisa Norton, is played superbly by Spring Byington. She is the female in a love triangle that develops and that provides many laughs in this brilliant screenplay. For the competing beaus, the studio couldn't have made a better match than two very familiar Oscar winners. Charles Coburn and Edmund Gwenn were among the best-known supporting actors of Hollywood's golden era. The ever-monocled Coburn plays Abel Burnside, who is also Hal's boss. Gwenn, who will be forever remembered as Kris Kringle from 1947's "Miracle on 34th Street," plays neighborhood grocer, Henry Hammond.
Ruth Hussey is excellent as Hal's wife, Meg, and Piper Laurie makes her film debut as the Norton's daughter, Cathy. She finds her grandmother's affections for Mr. Hammond shocking. The Norton's son, Chris, is played by Jimmy Hunt. Others who contribute to the humor are Scotty Beckett as Jimmy Blake, the nerdy boyfriend of Cathy. Beckett had a promising career that went into a tailspin his last few years due to drugs and alcohol, and he died at age 33 of a drug overdose. Young Martin Milner has a short scene with a great line.
The screenplay for "Louisa" may have come close to the record number of one-liners, zingers and putt-down lines in a movie. Following are some, with many more under the Quotes section of this IMDb movie Web page. This is a superb comedy that the whole family should enjoy. Just remember that it's partly a snapshot of Americana at the mid-point of the 20th century.
Hal, "Where were you, mother? The movies let out at midnight. It's after one now." Luisa, "We parked, son."
Hal, "Meg, you never really knew dad. You never played baseball with him." Meg, "I never played baseball with him, but I was very fond of him."
Hal, "She's been a widow for over 10 years. Why did she suddenly become lonely now?"
Hal, "Chris, move over." Chris, "Have another fight with mom, dad?" Hal, "Son, as you grow older you'll discover that certain women have a peculiar sense of humor. Now go to sleep."
Jimmy, "Good evening, Mr. Norton." Hal, "Jimmy, you know we like having you for dinner. You're here every night, but would you excuse us just this once?"
Henry Hammond, "I have several questions of my own." Hal, "You have?" Henry, "Naturally. I'm marrying a woman with children." Hal, "Mr. Hammond, we have no intention of living with you and mother." Henry, "Oh, I realize that, but one must be careful."
Chris, "Dad, do I have to eat the flowers?" Hal, "You're on our own, son."
Luisa, "Henry considers himself an adventurer of the senses."
Luisa, "Henry, I'm surprised at you. You were very rude." Henry, "Well, how do you think I felt, watching you lead Mr. Burnside on?" Luisa, "Henry!" Henry, "Flirting! Shamelessly, before my very eyes." Luisa, "I was simply being courteous to Hal's employer." Henry, "Now, don't tell me you didn't enjoy his attentions. Dropping your handkerchief coyly like a show girl. That trick's a bit dated, Luisa."
Cathy, "You take grandma's love life very seriously, but nobody pays any attention to mine."
Hal, "Oh, Cathy, we're busy. You convinced us you were heart-broken at breakfast."
Hal, "That's one thing about my family. Nobody believes in being unhappy unless everyone knows it."
Abel Burnside, "It's always been my motto - disturb the peace if you have to, but get where you're going."
Luisa, "Luisa, he said to me, I thought I married a lady. David, I said to him, I thought you married me."
Motorcycle Cop, "I deeply apologize for being in your way, hot rod. Were you in a hurry?" Henry Hammond, "Just give me the ticket, officer, I'm in no mood for conversation."
Stacy Walker, square dance caller, "How many of you gentlemen feel strong? Our next contest - Indian wrestling." Hal Norton, "Who dreamed this one up? Is this a dance or a track meet?" Meg Norton, "Shhh. I thought it would be nice for the young people. We have to consider them too."
Chris, "I can't sleep, dad. I'm too worried just thinking about grandma running away from home."
Hal Norton, "We'll be able to get by and you won't have to give up Gladys." Meg Norton, "You're just afraid of my cooking."
Abel Burnside, on the telephone to the police, "This is Abel Burnside speaking. Now, you boys had better snap to it or you'll be pounding a beat in the suburbs." Cathy Norton, "This is the suburbs." Burnside, "We...well, you'll be in real trouble."
Abel Burnside, "Before I get through with that senile Casanova, he'll regret the day he was born. I'll tear him limb from limb."
So that sets the stage for this superb rollicking comedy, with a cast of several Academy Award winners and nominees. The setting is the town of Pleasantville, a suburb of a big city that has commuter trains. The movie playing at the town theater is "Harvey," starring James Stewart, which came out that year. Naturally, it was a Universal film.
Of the six main characters, only one - Ronald Reagan, never received an Oscar nomination. But his Harold 'Hal' Norton shows his fine talent for wry comedy in this film that is loaded with laughable dialog as well as numerous funny scenes. Reagan plays the dutiful son who is overly protective of his widowed mother. He is hilarious in his angst and disdain over her dating other men her age.
Hal's mother, Louisa Norton, is played superbly by Spring Byington. She is the female in a love triangle that develops and that provides many laughs in this brilliant screenplay. For the competing beaus, the studio couldn't have made a better match than two very familiar Oscar winners. Charles Coburn and Edmund Gwenn were among the best-known supporting actors of Hollywood's golden era. The ever-monocled Coburn plays Abel Burnside, who is also Hal's boss. Gwenn, who will be forever remembered as Kris Kringle from 1947's "Miracle on 34th Street," plays neighborhood grocer, Henry Hammond.
Ruth Hussey is excellent as Hal's wife, Meg, and Piper Laurie makes her film debut as the Norton's daughter, Cathy. She finds her grandmother's affections for Mr. Hammond shocking. The Norton's son, Chris, is played by Jimmy Hunt. Others who contribute to the humor are Scotty Beckett as Jimmy Blake, the nerdy boyfriend of Cathy. Beckett had a promising career that went into a tailspin his last few years due to drugs and alcohol, and he died at age 33 of a drug overdose. Young Martin Milner has a short scene with a great line.
The screenplay for "Louisa" may have come close to the record number of one-liners, zingers and putt-down lines in a movie. Following are some, with many more under the Quotes section of this IMDb movie Web page. This is a superb comedy that the whole family should enjoy. Just remember that it's partly a snapshot of Americana at the mid-point of the 20th century.
Hal, "Where were you, mother? The movies let out at midnight. It's after one now." Luisa, "We parked, son."
Hal, "Meg, you never really knew dad. You never played baseball with him." Meg, "I never played baseball with him, but I was very fond of him."
Hal, "She's been a widow for over 10 years. Why did she suddenly become lonely now?"
Hal, "Chris, move over." Chris, "Have another fight with mom, dad?" Hal, "Son, as you grow older you'll discover that certain women have a peculiar sense of humor. Now go to sleep."
Jimmy, "Good evening, Mr. Norton." Hal, "Jimmy, you know we like having you for dinner. You're here every night, but would you excuse us just this once?"
Henry Hammond, "I have several questions of my own." Hal, "You have?" Henry, "Naturally. I'm marrying a woman with children." Hal, "Mr. Hammond, we have no intention of living with you and mother." Henry, "Oh, I realize that, but one must be careful."
Chris, "Dad, do I have to eat the flowers?" Hal, "You're on our own, son."
Luisa, "Henry considers himself an adventurer of the senses."
Luisa, "Henry, I'm surprised at you. You were very rude." Henry, "Well, how do you think I felt, watching you lead Mr. Burnside on?" Luisa, "Henry!" Henry, "Flirting! Shamelessly, before my very eyes." Luisa, "I was simply being courteous to Hal's employer." Henry, "Now, don't tell me you didn't enjoy his attentions. Dropping your handkerchief coyly like a show girl. That trick's a bit dated, Luisa."
Cathy, "You take grandma's love life very seriously, but nobody pays any attention to mine."
Hal, "Oh, Cathy, we're busy. You convinced us you were heart-broken at breakfast."
Hal, "That's one thing about my family. Nobody believes in being unhappy unless everyone knows it."
Abel Burnside, "It's always been my motto - disturb the peace if you have to, but get where you're going."
Luisa, "Luisa, he said to me, I thought I married a lady. David, I said to him, I thought you married me."
Motorcycle Cop, "I deeply apologize for being in your way, hot rod. Were you in a hurry?" Henry Hammond, "Just give me the ticket, officer, I'm in no mood for conversation."
Stacy Walker, square dance caller, "How many of you gentlemen feel strong? Our next contest - Indian wrestling." Hal Norton, "Who dreamed this one up? Is this a dance or a track meet?" Meg Norton, "Shhh. I thought it would be nice for the young people. We have to consider them too."
Chris, "I can't sleep, dad. I'm too worried just thinking about grandma running away from home."
Hal Norton, "We'll be able to get by and you won't have to give up Gladys." Meg Norton, "You're just afraid of my cooking."
Abel Burnside, on the telephone to the police, "This is Abel Burnside speaking. Now, you boys had better snap to it or you'll be pounding a beat in the suburbs." Cathy Norton, "This is the suburbs." Burnside, "We...well, you'll be in real trouble."
Abel Burnside, "Before I get through with that senile Casanova, he'll regret the day he was born. I'll tear him limb from limb."