FATHER'S LITTLE DIVIDEND

US, 1951, 81 minutes, Black and white.
Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor, Don Taylor, Billie Burke, Moroni Olsen, Frank Faylen, Marietta Candy, Russ Tamblyn.
Directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Father's Little Dividend is a pleasant sequel to the celebrated comedy Father of the Bride.

All those who collaborated on the original, under the direction of Vincente Minnelli, reassembled for what is actually a situation comedy. How~ ever, it is done with MGM flair and style. Spencer Tracy repeats his role as the exasperated father - although an adoring and spoiling father. Joan Bennett is loyal as his wife. Elizabeth Taylor is as charming as ever as the bride and has good support from Don Taylor as her husband and Billie Burke as her twittery mother-in-law.

The film shows suburban lifestyle in America in 195C. There are the usual hazards and harassments. However, with Spencer Tracy as narrator, the film shows the aftermath of the elaborate wedding and the two pairs of in-laws vying for the young couple's attentions - and living with them. This comes to a head with the announcement of a pregnancy. The father of the bride is hostile - but is even Dare hostile to the enormous preparations and plans by the various in-laws. However, of course, he is not to be beaten. When the couple quarrel, the bride brings the crisis to a head with her father's support. Needless to say, all's well that ends well and everybody is happy. The film is an inconsequential but very pleasant piece of Americana.