MovieChat Forums > Life with Father (1947) Discussion > Bill Powell MAKES this movie worthy!!!

Bill Powell MAKES this movie worthy!!!

posted 18 years ago by JenniferLynne73
12 replies | jump to latest

What a consummate actor! His three Academy Award Nominations prove what a talanted and diverse actor he is, especially because of the difference in the roles for each: A suave, debonare sleuth with one-foot-in-the-bed (with Nora) in The Thin Man (1934), A down on your luck homeless hobo turned butler in the screwball comedy My Man Godfrey (1936), and the demanding, loud, stubborn, dominating patriarch with a heart in Life With Father(1947). Too bad he never won:( From his first film role in John Barrymores version of Sherlock Holmes (1922) to his final role as "Doc" in the classic Mister Roberts (1955), you could always count on a superb performance out of every character Bill ever played. I own about 55 of his 95 movies and they are awesome to watch!!!!
"All you need to start an Asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people"-(My Man Godfrey)

[–] X-Evolutionist 18 years ago

I've seen Godfrey several times, and I love it! This was my first time seeing Life With Father. I'm sure I'll be seeing it more, too.

I also love him as Doc in Mr Roberts, too. He was a great actor.

X

www.X-Evolutionist.com
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[–] Isaac5855 17 years ago

William Powell was a wonderful, wonderful actor and I would have to say that this my favorite William Powell performance.

[–] NSurone 16 years ago

Don't forget his hilarious performance in LIBELED LADY, holding his own with heavyweights Spencer Tracy, Jean Harlow, and Myrna Loy.
There are two rather obscure Bill Powell movies that are rarely revived: MR. PEABODY AND THE MERMAID and THE SENATOR WAS INDISCREET. I hope TCM will air them sometime.

[–] bcoaggiemom09 14 years ago

I love William Powell. His "Nick Charles" was perfection. I could watch "The Thin Man" every day and always find something new to appreciate in his performance. Also, I challenge anyone to name a current "pretty boy" that can hold a candle to his suave and debonair charm and good looks.

[–] hodie 12 years ago

I also loved him in The Bad and the Beautiful.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] butaneggbert 11 years ago

It was Dick Powell in The Bad and the Beautiful, not Wm. Powell.

[–] MystMoonstruck 11 years ago

All of you have named such wonderful films, ones I've watched many times. I have to name a few of my favorites: "The Great Ziegfeld"; "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid"; ALL of "The Thin Man" movies (He, Myrna Loy and Asta, whose real name I've forgotten, are a hilarious trio!); and Libeled Lady, in which he informs his dancing partner that "They (her eyes) remind me of angry marbles." With his delivery, that line breaks me up every time! I think I like his comedy roles more, but he can bring humor to lines in dramas, too.

What a handsome, talented man!

I do not understand the attacks on Father in this film, especially portrayed by William Powell. How can they hate a man who so deeply loves, cares about and provides for his family? How can they not see how his family adores him? Maybe they haven't a clue about that time period.

I'm watching it yet again right now, and I am as crazy about it now as i was the first time I saw it many decades ago.

*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***

[–] jayrussell1993 11 years ago

I still roll on the floor & laugh when he tells that woman "Madam, I am the character of my home"

[–] Cocktailsfor2 9 years ago

I own about 55 of his 95 movies and they are awesome to watch!!!!

You are a serious William Powell fan, and I am jealous of your collection!

(I'm a serious fan of his, too...)
______________________________________
"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

[–] hamlet-16 9 years ago

Bill Powell makes ANY movie worthy... no matter how what the script or cast Mr Powell just is what Hollywood is at its best... and in Life with Father he has outstanding

I love his ease and his charm... on screen and by all accounts off screen ... now back to Star of Midnight .. with Ginger and Mr Powell!

[–] JacintoCupboard 8 years ago

I agree, Powell is so much better than the movie as a whole. It really is a masterpiece in comic characterization and timing.

As for the rest, the script is sprightly and clever, the adult actors other than Powell carry water to varying degrees of ability, but oh man, the juveniles are woeful.

[–] liscarkat (16496) 9 months ago

"Life with Father" is a great movie, and everyone in it is terrific, especially Powell.