MovieChat Forums > Bundle of Joy (1956) Discussion > parenthood of 'The Bundle' ?

parenthood of 'The Bundle' ?

posted 10 years ago by foxwood9
4 replies | jump to latest

My wife, recently viewed Bundle of Joy on TCM. She now claims that the character essayed by Eddie Fisher, admitted to the Debbie Reynolds character, that he indeed was the "daddy" of the waif that she picked up. I have never had the interest to watch this film in its entirety, and can't comment on this. however, given the time period that this film was set in and the prevailing moral climate in those days, I think that admitting to an illicit sexual affair and an out of wedlock birth. would hardly be something that studio heads would put in a movie starring "America's Favorite Couple". of course given several years, the favorite couple myth was exploded, with Eddie throwing over Debbie for "grief stricken" Elizabeth Taylor and then being thrown over himself, when Liz tossed him aside for Richard Burton. I'd be interested in knowing of anyone else heard this bomb shell about the "Bundle's Parenthood" while viewing this film?

[–] addison3 10 years ago

He said it! I just finished watching it.

[–] ModernAudrey 10 years ago

He wasn't really admitting parentage in that sense. It was more like he was claiming ownership in an emotional way, like an unofficial adoption. As in, the past doesn't matter, this is now, and I'm this baby's father. That's how it was meant, and the only interpretation that makes sense given the rest of the movie.

[–] d-druce 7 years ago

It is almost the final line of the movie. He says: "Now I have something to tell YOU! I'm the father of that baby" "You are?!" replies Debbie, but Adolphe Menjou interrupts before the conversation can continue, and we segue into 'Bundle of Joy' finale. Intriguing: it can be read several ways....! Is he a cad with a habit of seducing the floor-staff? A clause in granpa's will??. I would love to see Bachelor Mother again to see if it is covered in any way.

[–] doowop14 7 years ago

WOW... talk about missing the boat. Dan Merlin has no idea who the father of the baby is but he, along with everyone else, believes that Polly is actually the child's mother. When he says that he's the baby's father, hes claiming Polly as his own. And along with Polly, comes the baby, to whom he'll act as a father figure.