Many of the classics of the 1930's and 40's were being remade in the 1940's to get films back into the theater and away from Uncle Miltie, Ralph Kramden, Lucy Ricardo and Ed Sullivan. Utilizing color photography and the various wide-screen processes, these films may have seemed like a good idea at the time, and in a few cases, it worked. However, many failed, especially if they were attempts to outshine the classic screwball comedy.
One of the most blatant examples of that was "Bundle of Joy", an update of "Bachelor Mother". Practically everything is the same with the exception of added songs, included to promote recording star Eddie Fisher as an actor, and failing miserably. To push the publicity window, his real-life then wife (Debbie Reynolds) was cast as the fired department store clerk who finds an abandoned baby. While Reynolds is a great replacement for Ginger Rogers, Fisher is no David Niven, and that is the factor which turns this attempt to remake champagne into beer.
A colorful environment is welcome here, but the script only points out the sitcom elements of the story that back in 1939 seemed fresh and new. The film isn't bad as a whole, but in reflection of what had been, it is definitely a missed opportunity. Adolph Menjou is great fun in the Charles Coburn part, while Nita Talbot seems ripe for Eve Arden roles as Reynold's pal. Fisher sings wonderfully, turning "All About Love" into his one highlight, but failing miserably as an actor, showing no chemistry with his wife on-screen (sort of like Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, ironically, in most of their post "Virginia Woolf" pairings) and lacking in the comic timing of David Niven.
One of the most blatant examples of that was "Bundle of Joy", an update of "Bachelor Mother". Practically everything is the same with the exception of added songs, included to promote recording star Eddie Fisher as an actor, and failing miserably. To push the publicity window, his real-life then wife (Debbie Reynolds) was cast as the fired department store clerk who finds an abandoned baby. While Reynolds is a great replacement for Ginger Rogers, Fisher is no David Niven, and that is the factor which turns this attempt to remake champagne into beer.
A colorful environment is welcome here, but the script only points out the sitcom elements of the story that back in 1939 seemed fresh and new. The film isn't bad as a whole, but in reflection of what had been, it is definitely a missed opportunity. Adolph Menjou is great fun in the Charles Coburn part, while Nita Talbot seems ripe for Eve Arden roles as Reynold's pal. Fisher sings wonderfully, turning "All About Love" into his one highlight, but failing miserably as an actor, showing no chemistry with his wife on-screen (sort of like Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, ironically, in most of their post "Virginia Woolf" pairings) and lacking in the comic timing of David Niven.