Father's Little Dividend, 1951

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Stars: Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Bennett, Don Taylor

The sequel to Father of the Bride, of course! Kay (Taylor) and Buckley (Taylor)--haha, taylor and Taylor!-- surprise the whole family with more news: they're having a baby! There isn't much more to say: that's the gist of it. Then after the baby is born, it's the story of how Stanley (Spencer) goes from not caring for this crying baby who doesn't seem to like him to being wrapped around his little grandson's finger.

Unlike the first movie and it's remake, this second one and it's later remake, Father of the Bride Part 2, are very different, though the same basic story. I don't want to say too much about the remakes, because I still want to review those two.

Father of the Bride, 1950

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Stars: Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Bennett, Don Taylor

I grew up watching Father of the Bride- the 1991 version. I didn't know until probably a year ago that there was an older version, the original. If you've seen either of them, they are very similar. Extremely similar! But I did enjoy the remake better. Steve Martin is funnier than Tracy, and Martin Short is brilliant! The music is modern and more enjoyable, and I always cry no matter what, because the story is just lovely.

The story: Kay Banks (Taylor) surprises her parents Stanley (Tracy) and Ellie (Bennett) with news of her engagement to Buckley (Taylor). The journey from engagement to wedding day is the story, with the focus being on Stanley, the "father of the bride", as he deals with paying for the wedding, and more importantly, losing his only daughter to her husband.

I did like the remake better, but it was totally entertaining and enjoyable! 5 stars in my book

(5 stars for the great movies that are worth it---6 stars for the ones you must own and watch over and over again!)

NOTE: just so you know, Elizabeth Taylor and Don Taylor (who play the happy couple) just happen to have the same last name. They weren't married in real life!