A comic movie based on silent film star Corinne Griffith's memoirs of her alcoholic father, who was known for extraordinary flights of fancy whenever he got soused. Taking place in turn of the century Texas, Corinne, who idolizes her father, is unhappy when a drugstore does not sell her the banana split she wants, so the father buys the drugstore. She doesn't like the purple house of a neighbor's, so the father tricks the neighbor into having it painted white. But he goes too far when Corinne wants a horse and pony from a travelling circus, and the father buys the whole circus from its two shady owners, and this prompts his wife to take their two daughters back to her own father.
The ending is arguably Hollywood, but probably necessary to prevent this entertaining movie from turning into outright tragedy. Jackie Gleason gives a surprisingly good performance in the role of the father, and the other performers work too. Though the movie is not a musical, it features two hit songs, "Call Me Irresponsible" and "Bill Bailey". Good entertainment if you don't read too much into it.
The ending is arguably Hollywood, but probably necessary to prevent this entertaining movie from turning into outright tragedy. Jackie Gleason gives a surprisingly good performance in the role of the father, and the other performers work too. Though the movie is not a musical, it features two hit songs, "Call Me Irresponsible" and "Bill Bailey". Good entertainment if you don't read too much into it.