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Three Is a Family

  • 19441944
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
42
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Three Is a Family (1944)
  • Comedy
Ruggles isn't providing enough money to have his family live well. His wife takes over and goes to work.Ruggles isn't providing enough money to have his family live well. His wife takes over and goes to work.Ruggles isn't providing enough money to have his family live well. His wife takes over and goes to work.
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
42
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Edward Ludwig
  • Writers
    • Harry Chandlee
    • Henry Ephron(play)
    • Phoebe Ephron(play)
  • Stars
    • Marjorie Reynolds
    • Charles Ruggles
    • Fay Bainter
Top credits
  • Director
    • Edward Ludwig
  • Writers
    • Harry Chandlee
    • Henry Ephron(play)
    • Phoebe Ephron(play)
  • Stars
    • Marjorie Reynolds
    • Charles Ruggles
    • Fay Bainter
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos

    Three Is a Family (1944)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Marjorie Reynolds
    Marjorie Reynolds
    • Kitty Mitchellas Kitty Mitchell
    Charles Ruggles
    Charles Ruggles
    • Sam Whitakeras Sam Whitaker
    Fay Bainter
    Fay Bainter
    • Frances Whittakeras Frances Whittaker
    Helen Broderick
    Helen Broderick
    • Irmaas Irma
    Arthur Lake
    Arthur Lake
    • Archie Whittakeras Archie Whittaker
    Hattie McDaniel
    Hattie McDaniel
    • Maidas Maid
    Jeff Donnell
    Jeff Donnell
    • Hazel Whittakeras Hazel Whittaker
    John Philliber
    • Dr. Bartellas Dr. Bartell
    Walter Catlett
    Walter Catlett
    • Barney Meekeras Barney Meeker
    Clarence Kolb
    Clarence Kolb
    • Mr. Steeleas Mr. Steele
    Elsa Janssen
    Elsa Janssen
    • Adelaideas Adelaide
    • (as Else Janssen)
    Renie Riano
    Renie Riano
    • Genevieveas Genevieve
    Warren Hymer
    Warren Hymer
    • Coolieas Coolie
    Clyde Fillmore
    Clyde Fillmore
    • Mr. Spenceras Mr. Spencer
    Christian Rub
    Christian Rub
    • Bellboyas Bellboy
    Donna Lambertson
    • Susan Whitakeras Susan Whitaker
    Elissa Lambertson
    • Patty Whitakeras Patty Whitaker
    William Terry
    William Terry
    • Joe Franklinas Joe Franklin
    • Director
      • Edward Ludwig
    • Writers
      • Harry Chandlee
      • Henry Ephron(play)
      • Phoebe Ephron(play)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Ruggles isn't providing enough money to have his family live well. His wife takes over and goes to work.
    • money
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • THE STORY OF A CARELESS STORK (Print Ad-Albany Times-Union, ((Albany NY)) 18 January 1945)
    • Genre
      • Comedy
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The earliest documented telecast of this film in New York City occurred Saturday 8 June 1946 on WNBT (Channel 4). Post WW-II television viewers got their first look it in New York City Sunday 23 January 1949 on Film Theater of the Air on WCBS (Channel 2), in Los Angeles, Sunday 8 May 1949 on KTLA (Channel 5), in Boston Tuesday 30 August 1949 on WBZ (Channel 4), in both Philadelphia and Cincinnati Wednesday 31 August 1949 on WPTZ (Channel 3) and on WLW-T (Channel 4), in Atlanta Sunday 25 September 1949 on WSB (Channel 8), in Salt Lake City Thursday 17 November 1949 on KSL (Channel 5), and in Chicago Wednesday 22 February 1950 on WGN (Channel 9).
    • Connections
      Referenced in Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Amusing wartime comedy with infants galore
    This is nothing more than an amusing wartime comedy, practically the photographed stage play it is drawn from with nary more than the one-set living room used in the original. Housing shortages and Navy husbands called up force young newly married mothers to descend in ever confusing waves on one elderly family. There are the usual plots and subplots with a few interesting characterizations: Hattie McDaniel as an imbibing, ever-laughing maid; John Philliber as an ancient doctor who is practically blind; and Arthur Lake as a nerve-frazzled expectant father. A standout (as always) is Helen Broderick as the sarcastic Aunt Irma - she gets all the best lines.

    The Sound Recording earned an Oscar nom - it is crisp and full-bodied but I believe it was the sound editing being honored here - being able to hear dialogue over the wails of infants is the achievement.

    Very rare film, especially on video. Excellent casting all around and a mildly amusing romp - but definitely a "woman's picture" of the period - aimed at women and young mothers.
    helpful•6
    1
    • arneblaze
    • Jun 17, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 23, 1944 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 3 måste man vara
    • Production company
      • Sol Lesser Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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