Mama Loves Papa (1945 film)
Encyclopedia
Mama Loves Papa is a 1945
American
black-and-white
comedy film
directed by Frank R. Strayer
, and written by Monte Brice, with a story by Keene Thompson
and a screenplay by Charles E. Roberts
, as a loose remake of the 1933 film of the same name
written by Douglas MacLean
. The film was produced by RKO Radio Pictures and stars Leon Errol
and Elizabeth Risdon.
85,000. Two actors who had been in the 1933 version of this film, returned to this 1945 remake in different roles. Tom McGuire
who had earlier played the character of O'Leary, returned as the Chief of Police, and Ruth Warren who had earlier played the role of Sara Walker, returned as Mabel.
) is a middle-class furniture store employee. His wife Jessie (Elisabeth Risdon
) reads a book about how women can make their men more successful, and decides to remake her husband to give him a new image. Now dressed-for-success by his wife, Wilbur reports for work in fancy clothes. Thinking he is dressed for a funeral, his boss (Edwin Maxwell
), sends Wilbur home for the day. When Wilbur is wandering perplexed in a nearby park, he is mistaken for the Park Commissioner. Seeing it as an opportunity, McIntosh (Paul Harvey
), a crooked politician who wishes to land a lucrative deal with the city to sell them new playground equipment, has the mayor (Robert Middlemass
) appoint Wilbur as "Playground Commissioner". Later, when Wilbur is about to denounce McIntosh as a crook, McIntosh has his wife (Charlotte Wynters) ply Wilbur with champagne. While Wilbur is tipsy, Jessie overhears a flirtateous and damning conversation between the two. Wilbur wakes up with a hangover, no pants, and learns that while intoxicated he brought disgrace to himself, the town, and his wife. Wilbur eventually exposes the political corruption, and when his wife finally agrees to let him leave politics, everything turns out okay.
Additional characters
wrote that when RKO bought the rights to Paramount's 1933 film for $85,000, they ended up creating "a film worth about $5". Hal Erickson
of Rovi wrote that with a change in plot devices and modification of script, the film was only a "loose remake of the 1935 Charlie Ruggles-Mary Boland comedy of the same name," and notes the sole redeeming feature to be Leon Errol's "rubber legs" routine already familiar to his fans.
1945 in film
The year 1945 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Paramount Studios releases theatrical short cartoon titled The Friendly Ghost, featuring a ghost named Casper.* With Rossellini's Roma Città aperta, Italian neorealist cinema begins....
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Frank R. Strayer
Frank R. Strayer
Frank R. Strayer was an actor, film writer, director and producer. He was active from the mid-1920s until the early 1950s.-Biography:...
, and written by Monte Brice, with a story by Keene Thompson
Keene Thompson
Keene Thompson was a story, scenario and screenwriter who worked in the film industry from 1920 to 1937.-Career:...
and a screenplay by Charles E. Roberts
Charles E. Roberts
Charles E. Roberts was an engineer, inventor and an important early client and patron of Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1896, Wright remodeled Robert's house in Oak Park....
, as a loose remake of the 1933 film of the same name
Mama Loves Papa (1933 film)
Mama Loves Papa is a 1933 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Norman Z. McLeod, with a story by Nunnally Johnson and Douglas MacLean, and a screenplay by MacLean, Keene Thompson and Arthur Kober...
written by Douglas MacLean
Douglas MacLean
Douglas MacLean was a silent motion picture actor, producer, and writer.-Life and career:...
. The film was produced by RKO Radio Pictures and stars Leon Errol
Leon Errol
Leon Errol , was an Australian-born American comedian and actor, popular in the first half of the 20th century.-Biography:...
and Elizabeth Risdon.
Background
RKO bought the film rights to Paramount's 1933 film for $United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
85,000. Two actors who had been in the 1933 version of this film, returned to this 1945 remake in different roles. Tom McGuire
Tom McGuire (actor)
Tom McGuire was an English film actor. He appeared in 160 films between 1919 and 1949.He was born in England and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:* Single Handed...
who had earlier played the character of O'Leary, returned as the Chief of Police, and Ruth Warren who had earlier played the role of Sara Walker, returned as Mabel.
Plot
Wilbur (Leon ErrolLeon Errol
Leon Errol , was an Australian-born American comedian and actor, popular in the first half of the 20th century.-Biography:...
) is a middle-class furniture store employee. His wife Jessie (Elisabeth Risdon
Elisabeth Risdon
Elisabeth Risdon was an English film actress. She appeared in over 140 films between 1913 and 1952. An attractive beauty in her youth she usually played in society parts...
) reads a book about how women can make their men more successful, and decides to remake her husband to give him a new image. Now dressed-for-success by his wife, Wilbur reports for work in fancy clothes. Thinking he is dressed for a funeral, his boss (Edwin Maxwell
Edwin Maxwell
Edwin Maxwell was an Irish character actor in Hollywood movies of the 1930s and 1940s, frequently cast as shady businessmen and shysters, though often ones with a dignified bearing....
), sends Wilbur home for the day. When Wilbur is wandering perplexed in a nearby park, he is mistaken for the Park Commissioner. Seeing it as an opportunity, McIntosh (Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey (actor)
Paul Harvey was an American actor who appeared in at least 177 films.-Selected filmography:*They Shall Have Music *Behind the News *Moonlight Masquerade *Spellbound...
), a crooked politician who wishes to land a lucrative deal with the city to sell them new playground equipment, has the mayor (Robert Middlemass
Robert Middlemass
Robert Middlemass was an American character actor with over 100 film appearances...
) appoint Wilbur as "Playground Commissioner". Later, when Wilbur is about to denounce McIntosh as a crook, McIntosh has his wife (Charlotte Wynters) ply Wilbur with champagne. While Wilbur is tipsy, Jessie overhears a flirtateous and damning conversation between the two. Wilbur wakes up with a hangover, no pants, and learns that while intoxicated he brought disgrace to himself, the town, and his wife. Wilbur eventually exposes the political corruption, and when his wife finally agrees to let him leave politics, everything turns out okay.
Partial cast
- Leon ErrolLeon ErrolLeon Errol , was an Australian-born American comedian and actor, popular in the first half of the 20th century.-Biography:...
as Wilbur Todd - Elisabeth RisdonElisabeth RisdonElisabeth Risdon was an English film actress. She appeared in over 140 films between 1913 and 1952. An attractive beauty in her youth she usually played in society parts...
as Jessie Todd - Edwin MaxwellEdwin MaxwellEdwin Maxwell was an Irish character actor in Hollywood movies of the 1930s and 1940s, frequently cast as shady businessmen and shysters, though often ones with a dignified bearing....
as Kirkwood - Emory ParnellEmory ParnellEmory Parnell was an American vaudevillian and actor who appeared in over 250 films in his 36 year career...
as O'Leary - Charles HaltonCharles HaltonCharles Halton was a stern-faced American character actor who appeared in over 180 films.One of his most memorable portrayals was as Carter, the bank examiner in It's a Wonderful Life...
as Appleby - Paul HarveyPaul Harvey (actor)Paul Harvey was an American actor who appeared in at least 177 films.-Selected filmography:*They Shall Have Music *Behind the News *Moonlight Masquerade *Spellbound...
as Mr. McIntosh - Charlotte Wynters as Mrs. McIntosh
- Ruth Lee as Mabel
- Lawrence TierneyLawrence TierneyLawrence Tierney was an American actor, known for his many screen portrayals of mobsters and hardened criminals, which mirrored his own frequent brushes with the law....
as Sharpe
Additional characters
- Florence AuerFlorence AuerFlorence Auer was an American theater and motion picture actress whose career spanned more than five decades.-Life and career:...
as Madame Dalba - Tom ChattertonTom ChattertonTom Chatterton was an American actor.Born in Geneva, New York, Chatterton began his film career in 1913 at the New York Motion Picture Company under director Thomas H. Ince. Although never a major star, Chatterton had several leading roles in early silent films...
as Speaker - Charlie Hall as Bartender
- Tom McGuireTom McGuire (actor)Tom McGuire was an English film actor. He appeared in 160 films between 1919 and 1949.He was born in England and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:* Single Handed...
as Chief of Police - Jack RichardsonJack Richardson (actor)Jack Howard Richardson was an American actor.Born in New York, New York, he was signed to a contract in silent films in 1911 by the Thanhouser Company, where he worked for several years....
as Gentleman - Jason Robards Sr. as Playground Policeman
- Robert MiddlemassRobert MiddlemassRobert Middlemass was an American character actor with over 100 film appearances...
as The Mayor - Donald DouglasDonald Douglas (actor)Donald Douglas is a Scottish actor who has appeared in films and many well known television shows including Doctor Who, Blake's 7, and The Avengers....
as Secretary - Max WagnerMax WagnerMax Wagner was a Mexican-born American film actor who specialized in playing small parts such as thugs, gangsters, sailors, henchmen, bodyguards, cab drivers and moving men, appearing in over 300 films in his career, most without receiving screen credit...
as City Official - Frank O'Connor as City Official
Critical reception
Waycross Journal-Herald wrote that the film was the "hilarious results of domesticity gone wild". Conversely, TV GuideTV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
wrote that when RKO bought the rights to Paramount's 1933 film for $85,000, they ended up creating "a film worth about $5". Hal Erickson
Hal Erickson
Harold James Erickson was a relief pitcher who played briefly for the Detroit Tigers during the season. Listed at 6' 5", 230 lb., he batted and threw right-handed....
of Rovi wrote that with a change in plot devices and modification of script, the film was only a "loose remake of the 1935 Charlie Ruggles-Mary Boland comedy of the same name," and notes the sole redeeming feature to be Leon Errol's "rubber legs" routine already familiar to his fans.
External links
- Mama Loves Papa (1945) a the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Mama Loves Papa (1945) at Turner Classic MoviesTurner Classic MoviesTurner Classic Movies is a movie-oriented cable television channel, owned by the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary of Time Warner, featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and MGM, United Artists, RKO and Warner Bros. film libraries...