And Baby Makes Three (1949) User Reviews (8)

Forgotten 1949 Lightweight Romantic Comedy Has Its Moments

[secragt · 7/10 · 25 May 2007]

Despite a previous poster's claims, Young's character in AND BABY MAKES THREE is fairly conniving and noticeably different from his iconic FATHER KNOWS BEST persona. Among other things, Young toys with the emotions of several women he could care less about in order to make his wife jealous. He pretends to like children to trick that same ex-wife into coming back. His ex suspects he's had an affair and Young spends most of the picture trying to manipulate her, though the tables get predictably turned in light fashion. Young's not a heel as much as he's trying to win his girl back ("All's fair in love and war"), but he's definitely far from FKB's wholesome Jim Anderson.

Fellow future TV-stalwart Barbara Hale (Perry Mason) is okay if bland as the object of Young's flailing efforts. Still, as things unfold she does a little scheming of her own. Her transformation from hating Young to trying to win him back is pretty sudden and not particularly justified by the plot. Really there aren't a lot of innocent or particularly likable people in this offering, though it's all fairly harmless and by-the-numbers charming.

The production benefits from an obviously generous budget and a decent supporting cast. Among others, Billie Burke is immediately recognizable from her Wizard of Oz Glenda the Good Witch voice, though she's ten years older here. Of particular note is sometime-noir-femme Janis Carter as Hale's rival for Young's affections. Sexy, radiant and playing her own angles, Carter steals some of Hale's thunder (and Young's new fiancée near the denouement.)

Though not out on DVD, the movie is not lost; it runs now and again on TCM. The forties was the golden age of romantic comedies, so even though this isn't in the class of the best of the era, it's still watchable with enough twists to keep things moving as long as you don't think too hard.

A dumb plot with a huge distracting hole and very little comedy

[SimonJack · 5/10 · 6 June 2022]

Comedy films don't have to make sense, they don't have to be real life, they don't have to have solid plots and stories, and they don't have to be believable. But, generally, films that those descriptions fit are either screwball or madcap comedies or science-fiction. And then, the nonsense, goofiness, far out and ridiculous have to have terrific screenplays to keep up the screwball humor.

Well, this isn't madcap and it doesn't have the screenplay that's needed for a screwball comedy so it clearly isn't either of those. So, it's a regular comedy that has one very far out premise, and some holes in the screenplay, including a huge one, that make the plot hard to swallow. Jacqueline Walsh has been divorced from Vernon for who knows how long, and she's at the wedding with her new intended, Herbert Fletcher, when she faints. Her Uncle Bill is an M. D. (Dr. William M. Parnell), and after examining her he informs her and the families that she is pregnant. Well, this is 1941 and Herbie knows that he's not the father. So, the finger points to Vernon.

But, just how long have they been divorced? How long have they been separated? When were they together last - within the past two months? They haven't had relations for some time - or have they? How else could Jackie have gotten pregnant? While comedies seldom need to justify some of the gaps in timing and reasoning, in this case it jumps out at one. The audience wants to know, but the screenplay and plot leave this huge hole unplugged and unanswered. And that has the effect of dampening the comedy that could have come out of such a plot.

There is some good dialog in this film for a comedy, but not enough to overcome its shortcomings. Besides the obviously big hole, there is absolutely no chemistry between the leads - Robert Young and Barbara Hale, who play Vernon and Jackie. It's a stretch to think that Vernon has any remorse over losing Jackie in the earliest scenes with him. So, he's down just a bit because it's her wedding day. Then, it's just matter-of-fact.

Even when Uncle Bill later admits to a misdiagnosis and that Jackie wasn't pregnant, the cloud still hangs over this film. Just how long had it been since she and hubby had made love, and how long had they been separated and divorced, and why the seeming rush into marrying Herbert? Let alone, how could she possibly be in love with Herbie so soon.

Well, the writing job wasn't very good on this one, but they made the film anyway. I doubt that this film did very well at the box office. With a supporting cast that includes Billie Burke and Melville Cooper, there should have been some very funny dialog, but there's hardly any. The bit of dialog with humor early in the film is the only thing that keeps it from failing all around. Here are the few good lines.

Vernon Walsh, "I love kids. What if I can prove it?" Otto Stacy, his lawyer, "There hasn't been a miracle since the 13th century."

Vernon Walsh, "Anybody can reform."

Vernon Walsh, "Well, you bought Herbert. I bought Timmy. Herbert's old enough to stay at home alone."

Vernon Walsh, "What kind of a law is that - when a guy has to get married to get his own kid? They call this a democracy?

Jacqueline Walsh, "Vern can give him things you can't write a check for. He can teach him how to swing a Louisville walking stick instead of a slugger. And pitch against me on mother's day. And how to smoke corn pones in the cellar. These are advantages no child should be deprived of."

Gibson, "Don't worry, Mrs. York, they can't possibly hurt one another." Wanda York, "They might catch a cold from stirring up so much breeze."

Cute comedy

[HallmarkMovieBuff · 25 May 2007]

Those fondly familiar with Barbara Hale mostly from her role as Della Street in the "Perry Mason" TV series should surely enjoy her in this light comedy as divorcée Jacqueline Walsh, one of the all-too-few leading roles from her movie heyday.

Here, she plays a woman who leaves her husband (Robert Young) for his presumed infidelity, and proceeds headlong toward a rapid rebound marriage to some rich guy (Robert Hutton) after a hasty Reno divorce. When she finds herself fainting on the way to the altar, attributed soon thereafter to pregnancy by her ex, custody complications ensue and provide fodder for "who's going to be the father next year."

All parts are well-played, but Young shines here in a sympathetic role, wanting nothing more than to re-assume his rightful place as husband (and father). "Other man" Hutton is fine, too, but his signature role for me will always be that of Cpl. Ed 'Slim' Green, the star-struck soldier in "Hollywood Canteen". The "other woman", to round things out, is played by Janis Carter (not to be confused with Janis Paige, who also appeared in "Canteen").

Lou Breslow's script offers sufficient twists and turns in romantic connections to justify the comedic wonderment, including a play on the title later in the proceedings, and one in the closing dialog if one is alert enough to catch it.

And stories make movies.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 28 January 2021]

Just because a movie has a conflict doesn't mean it has a plotline. The only difference between this and screwball comedies of the 1930's is that it involves a divorced woman who finds out on the wedding day to her potential second husband that she's pregnant with her first husband's child.

This is nowhere near the class act of the comedies that Robert Young did at MGM, playing the self centered ex-husband who is called to the canceled wedding to tell him the news. He decides he wants ex-wife Barbara Hale back which leads to lots of arguments with her fiance Robert Hutton.

A very funny scene in a doctor's office with Mary Treen looking on at the confusion of the two men and one woman is the highlight of the film. Billie Burke as Hale's mother basically spends the film comparing her pregnancy cravings to her daughters, and after the second or third time, it begins to get tiresome. At least she's not the feather brained matron sounding like a chipmunk here.

Janis Carter, Columbia's go to glamorous other woman in lots of films of the late 40's and 50's, basically plays the same part here, and the writing surrounding her return is completely unbelievable. it looks nice and glamorous but the pedestrian script makes this an instantly forgettable comedy.

Extremely clean and silly

[HotToastyRag · 3/10 · 16 April 2019]

Goodness, this movie is silly. With every joke in the book you can think of that would make Will Hays chuckle with pride, this is the precursor to every 1950s comedy where premarital sex is the greatest sin.

Barbara Hale, after a recent divorce from Robert Young, is about to marry Robert Hutton. She faints while walking down the aisle and the doctor discovers she's pregnant. And, since no respectable engaged couple would ever get into that kind of trouble, everyone knows it's Robert Young's baby. All of a sudden, Bob is back in her life, and they're dealing with custody battles and legal contracts. And, since Hollywood was, and still is one would argue, very moralistic, the majority of the plot might involve the divorced soon-to-be parents falling back in love.

Seriously, folks, this one is very silly. It will make you groan and roll your eyes during ridiculous car chases, wide-eyed gasps when bystanders hear an argument over which man is the father, and supposedly funny plot points like Robert Young going on an all-night quest for pickled leche nuts for Barbara's pregnant cravings.

Fantastic Prelude To A Lighter Father Knows Best Character

[mikemacksd · 10/10 · 27 January 2013]

Loved This Movie!! This Man Takes Responsibility For HIS child even after he has Divorced the mother. And while he does enlist the help of children Belonging to other people he doesn't let ANYTHING stop him from being a "Father" to his child!!! Kudos!!!! Barbara Hale Plays a great character too. I never remember her in any shows or her being this young. There need to be more films from this age of film and television made available. Simple story lines, great acting and interesting themes of this era are much better than the violence and nudity and sexual show made today. I look forward to many, many more quality television shows and movies like these in the future!!!

Delightful old movie but feared gone.

[drafting60 · 31 January 2002]

I enjoyed this movie. Robert Young played the role much like what he'd do later in "Father Knows Best" if I remember correctly. There was some delightful humor in the movie. I only saw it in 1966 though. Is the movie lost? I don't know too many Robert Young movies that are available on VHS besides "Secret Agent" from the 30s.

Both stylish and thoroughly enjoyable!

[JohnHowardReid · 8/10 · 2 March 2018]

A stylish drawing-room comedy, with Robert Young once again ideally cast as a harassed husband. He receives solid support all the way down the line from Janis Carter's brassy blonde to the uncredited guest appearance of Mary Treen as a puzzled patient.

The film's best sequence is an hilarious 20 minutes dealing with a quest for pickled lychee nuts (and another uncredited guest appearance, this time by Victor Sen Yung as a shop-owner).

Smooth direction combined with fine photography, classy sets and attractive costumes, give the film a highly polished veneer.

And for your utmost enjoyment, please disregard three facts: (1) bad notices from sourpuss contemporary critics; (2) Henry Levin's reputation as a director of speed rather than style; (3) Humphrey Bogart's invisible hand in the production - his company produced and financed the movie, but probably he had as little to do with it as John Ford with Mighty Joe Young.