Os Noivos de Mamãe

There is an unfair urban legend about the late 40th President of the United States that all his films were awful except for "Knute Rockne, All American" and "King's Row". Actually Ronald Reagan did more good films than most people realize - he was in supporting roles in "Boy Meets Girl" and "Dark Victory", he did nicely in "Brother Rat", "The Voice Of The Turtle" and (surprise!) "Bedtime For Bonzo", and he again gave good support to the trio of old troopers who star in this film.

"Louisa" is that rarity - a romantic comedy about the loves of elderly people. Spring Byington is the mother of Ronald Reagan, and she meets his new employer, Charles Coburn. Byington is perky and intelligent and graceful, and she captivates Coburn. So far so good. Unfortunately she already has met Edmund Gwenn, a poorer man than Coburn but just as smitten. Both men proceed to pursue her, and to try to derail each other's campaign for her. Coburn, being richer (and Reagan's employer) is in a better position - especially after he finds a secret regarding Gwenn's past that can blast his chances. Or will it boomerang and make Gwenn more sympathetic?

The three old pros carry this film - one of the two best films for elderly performers (with Monty Wooley's "As Young As You Feel") made in the 1950s. Both reaffirm that there is plenty of life in the older set than we usually think. And Reagan does well, upset to see his mother Byington not acting...well as a mother should. He is also jittery about his business future every time Coburn sees Gwenn visiting. A nice little comedy. Ronnie was in some good ones you know.

It's a pity this one isn't available on video or otherwise, I'd acquire it at the drop of a hat!

Thoroughly delightful comedy about romantic seniors (Ch. Coburn and Edmund Gwenn) competing for the love of a sweet granny, Louisa (Spring Byington) who still has much to offer in charm, grace and joy of living.

There's heated rivalry between the two older men, and there's frustrated annoyance from the younger teen set (Piper Laurie and her beau, Scotty Beckett), and the middle-aged family members (Ronald Reagan and patient wife Meg, played by Ruth Hussey). Inevitably there are clashes, tempers flare and varied misunderstandings arise, but all comes right in the end, of course. This is a scintillating comedy with never a dull moment.

I love that delightful scene of Ch. Coburn as Abel Burnside, wading into the pond, trousers soaked, and gallantly picking flowers to offer his lady love, "Louisa", which is also the title of this movie.

Top grades for this one.

Though future president Ronald Reagan is top billed in Louisa the accent is Hollywood's senior citizens as we are treated to golden age romantic triangle involving Edmund Gwenn, Charles Coburn, and Spring Byington. Love is lovelier the second time around as the song goes at least for two of them.

Reagan is a successful executive who has landed a big promotion from his boss Charles Coburn and he's married to Ruth Hussey with kids Piper Laurie and Jimmy Hunt. Spring is his mother and she lives with them. I know how that is because I had a paternal grandmother living with me and believe me she wasn't as nice as Spring Byington.

Still Spring is made to feel like a fifth wheel in the household and so she starts looking for some companionship and she finds it with Edmund Gwenn who owns a grocery store and has an interesting background. One night Coburn comes over in the middle of family dinner and he shows an interest in Spring.

That has to be exciting for one of Spring's age and now my age to be the love object in a romantic triangle. She's got a new lease on life and the girl just struts her stuff.

Louisa got some Oscar consideration when it received a nomination for Best Sound recording. It's a pleasant enough family comedy and it holds up well because it has some forever themes about it.

... and I don't mean the 1960s. Spring Byington is in the title role living with son Ronald Reagan and his family. Louisa is urged to get some interests outside the family, but be careful what you ask for.

Louisa ends up getting fought over romantically by charming grocer Henry Hammond (Edmund Gwenn) and Type-A tycoon (and Ronnie's boss) Abel Burnside (Charles Coburn). This puts Ronnie in a delicate dilemma. The guys are wonderful as immature cut-ups and Louisa's teen-aged granddaughter, Cathy (Piper Laurie, in her screen debut) and her brilliant geek boyfriend Jimmy,(Scotty Beckett) are a great contrast in young love. It all takes place in a town ironically called Pleasantville. Watch for the charming bit of Americana with the Community Square Dance and the 'dancing under the bar' competition. It's a hoot!

When Louisa finally picks one of the guys, the other one investigates and finds out that the winner has been married four times! And never divorced! Is this feel good film about to turn into a film noir? Watch and find out.

Recommended as a great film that proves some good things happened at Universal after the Laemmles lost the studio in 1936, and before Rock Hudson and Douglas Sirk showed up, besides just Abbott and Costello.

Despite the name at the top of the billing, this film belongs fairly and squarely to the elderly folks - Spring Byington ("Louisa"), Edmund Gwenn ("Hammond") and Charles Coburn ("Burnside"). Both men are vying for the affections of the former - the mother of aspiring architect "Hal" (Ronald Reagan). The story moves along quickly and amusingly with the two resorting to more increasingly outlandish methods to secure the hand of "Louisa". Meantime, their antics are playing havoc on her son and on his family with whom she lives. Though the ending is a bit far-fetched, the joke still holds up remarkably well. Reagan portrays the role of the increasingly frenetic son quite effusively and the family of supporting cast - including Piper Laurie and Scotty Beckett who are having their own relationship issues - all contribute well to this enjoyable story that clearly validates the theory that life begins at 50, or 60, or....