Papa's Delicate Condition :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

Takes me back to my childhood!

2008-09-19
This is a classic movie that I don't think got enough attention in it's time. It focuses on Jackie Gleason who is a railroad supervisor and he has one little problem...he drinks like a fish and ends up spending loads of money on crap that he nor his family need. It does have a good ending and his issues are worked out. I am not sure how the message is received by most folks but I have always enjoyed this movie and when it came out on DVD, I just had to have it.

I still regularly watch this movie even as a 30 year old! If you're a fan of Jackie Gleason, you'll love this heart warming movie.

Rainbows, I'm inclined to pursue

2008-08-26
Based on Corrine Griffith's memoirs, PAPA'S DELICATE CONDITION is a turn-of-the-century story of a man who'd do anything to please his wife and family, except give up drinking. Griffith's alcoholism causes some outrageous behavior, like his awarding the next door neighbor a prize of a newly-painted house, or buying an ice cream parlor so his daughter's dessert will be just as she wants it. He also gives young Corrie an entire circus when all she'd asked for was a pony.

It's a bittersweet family movie that's by turns whimsical and melancholy. Marital problems of an otherwise "proper" couple are not at all glossed over. The complicated Jack Griffith is arguably Jackie Gleason's best film portrayal; certainly this character's battle with Demon Booze hits close to home, as well.

"Papa's" TRIVIA--
Originally planned as a 1955 starring vehicle for Fred Astaire, who lost interest in the project. The script languished for almost a decade until it was reworked for Gleason.

Watch for Barry Livingston (Ernie on TV's "My Three Sons") as a boy in church.

The movie's theme song, "Call Me Irresponsible," was a hit record for Frank Sinatra.

For his work as Minnesota Fats in THE HUSTLER (1961), "The Great One" received an Oscar nomination.

Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(6.4) Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) - Jackie Gleason/Glynis Johns/Charles Ruggles/Laurel Goodwin/Linda Bruhl/Ned Glass/Murray Hamilton/Elisha Cook Jr./Charles Lane/Don Beddoe (uncredited: Eddie Quillen/Don Haggerty/Barry Livingston)

Good Vehicle for the Great One

2008-07-14
When Jackie Gleason passed some years ago I remember a couple of tidbits from his obituary. One relates a doctor telling him that he had lung cancer and suggesting that he cut back on his smoking. Heeding his doctor's advice Gleason cut back from six packs a day to four packs. Gleason had his own little Algonquin Round Circle that consisted of Salvador Dali and Mickey Mantle among others. What did these seeming unlike public figures have in common? A love of the bottle. Gleason made something of a mark in films after his "Honeymooners" heyday. He was absolutely mesmerizing as Minnesota Fats in "The Hustler". I'm still waiting for a DVD release of "Soldier in the Rain" with Steve McQueen. "Papa's Delicate Condition" is an interesting film in that it was probably promoted as a comedy but dig a little deeper it's a sober look at the scourge of alcoholism. Gleason's Jack Griffiths is one of those larger-than-life gregarious personalities whose impulsive behaviour, usually when soused, that wins over some people particularly his impressionable six year old daughter. Not so his wife and older daughter. Why I don't rate this film five stars is it's not written explicitly that Griffiths is a self-destructive personality. Gleason, probably through personal experience, reads between the lines like he implicitly knows Jack Griffiths. This is not a slurring, stumbling, stereotypical drunk. Griffiths on the surface appears rather sober but underneath is destroying himself with liquor. This is an average film raised to the next level by a great performance. If your a fan of Gleason's this film is essential.