Edward, My Son

June. 01,1949      NR
Rating:
6.5
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Following the death of his only son, a ruthless businessman reflects on his life, his unhappy marriage and his questionable parenting skills.

Spencer Tracy as  Arnold Boult
Deborah Kerr as  Evelyn Boult
Ian Hunter as  Doctor Larry Woodhope
James Donald as  Bronton
Mervyn Johns as  Harry Sempkin
Leueen MacGrath as  Eileen Perrin
Felix Aylmer as  Mr. Hanray
Walter Fitzgerald as  Mr. Kedner

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Reviews

Scanialara
1949/06/01

You won't be disappointed!

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Sexyloutak
1949/06/02

Absolutely the worst movie.

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Ezmae Chang
1949/06/03

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

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Jenni Devyn
1949/06/04

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

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evanston_dad
1949/06/05

Good grief, Robert Morley and Noel Langley must have been in a bad mood indeed when they wrote the nihilistic play upon which this film was based."Edward, My Son" is a bitter pill of a movie about an absolutely detestable jackass played by Spencer Tracy and the mess he makes of his life and the lives of those he loves in his campaign to spoil his son rotten. Tracy deserves kudos for playing this character at all, one who finds not a hint of redemption by the movie's end. The real reason to watch the film, though, is for Deborah Kerr's tragic performance as Tracy's wife, who begins the film as a vivacious if overly-dependent young mother and ends it as a shattered alcoholic. Her part is fairly small in relation to Tracy's, but she makes the most of every moment on screen and earned her first Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her efforts.In a conceit that clearly comes from the stage, we never see Edward, the son who serves as the catalyst for this married couple's disastrous end. Director George Cukor never succeeds in opening this film up and making it feel like anything more than a filmed version of the play. There's a monotony to its rhythms and it feels longer than it is. Grade: B-

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blanche-2
1949/06/06

"Edward, My Son" is a 1949 film based on the play that starred Robert Morley. Here the stars are Spencer Tracy, Deborah Kerr, and Ian Hunter. The title role, Edward, is never seen. The movie is really about his father, Arnold Boult, who spoils the boy and ruins everything and everybody he touches.There was a mention that Spencer Tracy was miscast, that the character shouldn't be so amiable but more acid. I think in a way, Tracy's amiability was more sinister - he threatened people and seemed so cheerful about it. It's quite effective.The revelation, the stunning, knockout performance comes from Deborah Kerr as Arnold's unhappy wife Evelyn. Young, pretty, and cheerful in the beginning, her character development, in looks and personality, is remarkable - right down to her osteoporotic walk with the slightly stooped shoulders. How often do we see really wonderful actors play older people with just a little gray in their hair, with nothing else changed? The only other "aging" performance I have seen to equal this was Emma Thompson at the end of "Remains of the Day."I always knew Deborah Kerr was a fine actress, but obviously, she mostly did roles that were beneath her capability.Ian Hunter is very good as the doctor s a man who see through Arnold's behavior, and who has always been in love with Evelyn.Don't miss Kerr's performance in this film.

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manxman-1
1949/06/07

First of all, the Edward of the title is never actually seen, even though the story covers several decades of his life. Rather, the story concentrates on the destructive influences of his over-benevolent father (Spencer Tracy) whose selfishness and ambition destroy all the relationships about him and ruin his son's character. Spencer Tracy is somewhat miscast, a little too likable and amiable in a role that calls for acidity and tartness. One wonders just how much better Robert Morley would have been in the role he created on the stage. Alas, movie box office appeal ruled. Ian Hunter is good as the Harley Street doctor, Tracy's friend throughout, who carries more than a burning torch for Tracy's long-suffering wife. The one knockout performance, which really carries a punch, shattering in its portrayal, is delivered by Deborah Kerr - unquestionably one of the best she ever gave. Going from a loving young wife to a middle-aged, spurned, embittered alcoholic, her performance is heart-wrenching. One watches her range with surprise for the sheer professionalism at what must have been a relatively young age. Quite different from any of the other roles she played in a long career. An absorbing drama, unusual in that the lead character is not particularly likable or sympathetic. Worth watching for the snappy dialog and Kerr's performance.

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IRVIN8
1949/06/08

For years I resisted this movie because of the sobbing title. I expected a maudlin, embarrassing tale.I should have known better. And while I've never been a particular fan of Spencer Tracy (his emotional range never interested me), this time he worked okay, in that he wasn't a god-damned hero, and there wasn't a bevy of minor actors sucking up to him. I liked him being a bad guy; I liked his covert, vaguely whimsical smile. For the first time, I found him believable, more than stock characterization.Also, the movie was so well crafted that Tracy's ambitions were always credible. And when you understand the motivation, usually, you are sympathetic.It was Deborah Kerr who stole my interest. Her character, toward the end of the film, is so broken, that she approached Greek classicism. She was ugly, tear-stained, stooped - and her lamentation carried throughout that great barn of a mansion of a home. She couldn't have been more than 35 (ca.), but she had become 80, in spirit. One knew, when she went upstairs that final time, that she would not be seen again, and would only be spoken of in past tense.Although Kerr is a favorite, there's only one other film of hers that knocked me out: for her beauty, her rawness and her intact feminity - and that of course is "The Sundowners". These two films place her at the pinnacle of Britain's actors.

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