Papa's Delicate Condition

Plot

This charming tale is about a young girl's father and his slightly erratic behavior after sampling a refreshing alcoholic beverage. Although Papa Jack Griffith (Jackie Gleason) never appears to be drunk, his "delicate condition" is well known to his family. His wife is definitely unhappy over his penchant but loves him just the same. He is adored by his youngest daughter, six year old Corinne (Linda Bruhl). When he tries to buy a pony for Corinne, he not only gets the pony but the entire broken down, debt ridden circus as well. This is too much for wife Ambolyn (Glynis Johns), who packs up the kids and heads for her father's house in Texarkana. Jack follows with the entire circus in pursuit to take his loving family back home. He also hoodwinks some local investors to put money into a proposed drug store, thereby circumventing a blue law that forbids the sale of alcohol. Gleason's performance contain many fine moments that run the full spectrum of human emotions and clearly illustrates why he has deservedly been referred to as "The Great One." ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Review

The rosy glow of nostalgia permeates Papa's Delicate Condition, a fact which may cause more trouble for modern audiences than for viewers who sampled the film upon its original 1963 release. That trouble is related to the "delicate condition" of the title, namely the tendency of the character played by Jackie Gleason to imbibe a bit more alcohol than is good for him. Even in 1963, alcoholism was becoming too much accepted as a problem to generate easy laughs and comfort, but setting the film in the turn of the century helped to distance the audience from the issue. Modern audiences may not accept that device so readily, and may therefore be less willing to accept and forgive Gleason's actions. That said, however, Gleason's performance is so fine that he may very well break down many viewer's resistance. It's a beautifully controlled turn, full of star power and charisma, but also nuanced and detailed, creating a much more complex portrait that one might expect. There's a wonderful chemistry between Gleason and young Linda Bruhl that also helps overcome the tendency to cloying sweetness that keeps poking up in the screenplay. Glynis Johns and Charlie Ruggles also make the going much smoother than it might otherwise have been, and the Oscar-winning theme song, "Call Me Irresponsible," will certainly win over some people. Those who watch Papa for its star and cast and are willing to forgive its screenplay its many flaws will have an enjoyable time. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

• Jackie Gleason - Jack Papa Griffith
• Glynis Johns - Ambolyn Griffith
• Charlie Ruggles - Grandpa Anthony Ghio
• Laurel Goodwin - Augusta Griffith
• Linda Bruhl - Corrie

Ned Glass - Sparrow Wildman; Murray Hamilton - Mr. Harvey; Elisha Cook, Jr. - Mr. Keith; Charles Lane - Hiram Cosgrove; Claude Johnson - Norman; Juanita Moore - Ellie; Trevor Bardette - Stanley Henderson III; Ben Baker - Douglas; Don Beddoe - Mayor Ghio's assistant; Bob Hopkins; Ken Renard - Walter

Credit

Arthur Lonergan - Art Director, Hal Pereira - Art Director, Edith Head - Costume Designer, George Marshall - Director, Frank Keller - Editor, Joseph Lilley - Composer (Music Score), Jimmy Van Heusen - Composer (Music Score), Joseph Lilley - Musical Direction/Supervision, Loyal Griggs - Cinematographer, Jack Rose - Producer, Sam Comer - Set Designer, James W. Payne - Set Designer, Paul K. Lerpae - Special Effects, Jack Rose - Screenwriter, Corinne Griffith - Book Author

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