Father Takes a Bride (1963)

Father Takes a Bride (1963) was one of the many dramas to come out of Cathay Films. Shaw Brothers chief rival during the late 50's through the early 70's (Shaw Brothers eventually won but gave way to Golden Harvest in similar fashion). Cathay Films put out many Dramas and Comedies during this time period. One of the main directors on the Cathay Films staff was Wong Tin-Lam. If you don't know who he is, you'll know his more popular son Wong Jing. Unlike his son, Wong Tin-Lam cranked out serious dramas and sugary sweet comedies. He's credited with directing over a hundred films and has appeared in several of his son's productions (the latest is Wong Jing's Honesty).

Father Takes the Bride was shot in Cinemascope and is a Mandarin language production (Cantonese speaking films did not because the norm until the 70's due to the filmmakers direct marketing towards China and Taiwan). A young lady is taking care of her younger brothers. She has ever since their mother passed away. Their father is contemplating marrying a female colleague who's in a similar predicament. One day while coming home she meets an old schoolmate. The two kindle a romance. He becomes good friends with the family and one day pops the question. A shoe is thrown into the cogs as the father brings up that he might marry his girlfriend. The two brothers are afraid of stepmothers because every day they witness the abuse one of their friends suffers at the hands of her new mother.

What will happen to the family? Will the two brothers get a new mother? Will the young lovers find true romance? Will the father go through with his matrimonial plans? Is this movie worth watching? Find out for yourself!!

Like most of the movies coming out of Hong Kong, the melodrama is heavy handed and real mushy. That's what I like about these films. They add a aura of realism to the cinema. Sadly, most Americans want to escape from real life situations (that's why big budgeted blockbusters are so popular). I recommend this movie to anyone who like sugary sweet dramas.

I would like to see some more of these Cathay Films. When i do you'll find some more of these hidden gems reviewed.

Take care now.