Papa's Delicate Condition

Papa's Delicate Condition

film poster
Directed by George Marshall
Produced by Jack Rose
Written by Jack Rose
Corinne Griffith (book)
Starring Jackie Gleason
Glynis Johns
Charles Ruggles
Laurel Goodwin
Linda Bruhl
Cinematography Loyal Griggs
Edited by Frank P. Keller
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates
  • 1963 (1963)
Running time
 98 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Papa's Delicate Condition is a 1963 comedy film starring Jackie Gleason and Glynis Johns. It was an adaptation of the Corinne Griffith memoir of the same name, about her father and growing up in Texarkana, Texas.[1] Jimmy Van Heusen (music) and Sammy Cahn (lyrics) won an Academy Award for Best Song for "Call Me Irresponsible".

Another Cahn/Van Heusen song, "Walking Happy," was used in a scene with Gleason and his on-screen daughter Linda Bruhl walking down a street while he sings about the people they meet along the way, but the scene was cut before the film's release. The song was later used in a Broadway musical of the same name.

Plot

Jack Griffith, known as "Papa" to all, is a family man in a Texas town, but an irresponsible one. To impress his 6-year-old daughter Corinne, he spends the family's savings to buy his own circus, simply so the little girl can have her own pony.

After his squandering leaves the Griffiths in debt, wife Ambolyn packs up Corinne and older sister Augusta and moves to Texarkana, Texas, where her father, Anthony Ghio, is the mayor. Griffith attempts to use his circus to help Ghio's bid for reelection, but accidentally causes Ambolyn to end up with a broken hand.

Despondent, he leaves for Louisiana and is little seen or heard from by the family. Talked into an attempt at reconciliation, Papa is reluctant, believing the Griffiths want nothing more to do with him, but he is welcomed back with open arms.

Cast

Production

The novel was published in 1952. Paramount Pictures bought the film rights and assigned Henry and Phoebe Ephron to adapt it.[2] In 1955, it was announced Fred Astaire would star and the film done as a musical.[3] However, filming was postponed so Astaire could make Silk Stockings.[4]

Filming ended up being delayed until 1962, with Jack Rose now the writer and Jackie Gleason the star.[5] Two songs written for the proposed Astaire film by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen were used, along with a new song, "Bill Bailey."[6]

"This picture is just vanilla," said Gleason. "but I needed something like it after Requiem for a Heavyweight, The Hustler and Gigot".[6]

The part of the young girl was played by Linda Bruhl, whose experience had mostly been in TV commercials.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Papa's Delicate Condition at the Internet Movie Database
  2. ↑ Looking at Hollywood: Fred Allen Replaces Clifton Webb in Movie Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 21 May 1952: b7.
  3. ↑ M-G-M SIGNS TRIO FOR 'HIGH SOCIETY': Crosby, Sinatra and Grace Kelly to Star in New Film of 'Philadelphia Story' By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to The New York Times.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 28 Nov 1955: 27.
  4. ↑ Astaire Agrees to Do 'Silk Stockings' Role Louella Parsons:. The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959) [Washington, D.C] 25 May 1956: 60.
  5. ↑ Rose Tells Why He Sticks to Comedies: Locale Switches Save Costs; Only Problem 'Is It Funny?' Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 02 Nov 1962: D11.
  6. 1 2 FILM FUN FEST FINDS GLEASON IN A HEALTHY 'CONDITION' By THOMAS McDONALD. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 08 July 1962: 73.
  7. ↑ Niven Will Contest Heston in 'Peking': Shibata Sells Script, Self; Darin Showbiz Phenomenon Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 12 June 1962: C11.

External links


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