Edward, My Son 1949

     This film is based on a play by Robert Morely and Noel Langley.  Arnold and Evelyn Boult are very happy to have a son in their lives.  His name is Edward and they only want the best for him.  The Arnold’s live in London and they learn their son has a medical complication.  He has a problem with the nerves in his hip and he may always walk with a limp.  Arnold learns they can send Edward to Switzerland for an operation that will probably correct his problem.  Arnold doesn’t have the money but he talks to his business partner about burning down the building to get the money they both need.  His partner gets cold feet but Arnold has already the done the arson job on the building.  Unfortunately, Arnold’s partner goes to prison.  Arnold also thinks he's doing the right things for his son but he spoils Edward every day of his life.

     Edward is never shown in this film, he’s just discussed by Arnold and Evelyn plus by Dr. Larry Woodhope who delivered him.  Arnold thinks many of the problems Edward causes are funny and he bails him out when he gets into scrapes.  Evelyn is trying to get Edward to follow a budget but sends extra money and they don't tell Evelyn.  Arnold thinks everything he does for Edward is helping him but it’s doing just the opposite.  It’s keeping him from growing up, taking responsibility, treating others with respect and preventing him from making his own way through life.  Arnold is bland on the outside but he’s menacing when he doesn’t get his way.  I thought this was interesting and from a different viewpoint.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)  

112 min, Drama directed by George Cukor with Spencer Tracy, Deborah Kerr, Ian Hunter, Jamed Donald, Mervyn Johns, Leueen MacGrath, Felix Aylmer, Water Fitzgerald, Tilsa Page, Ernest Jay, Colin Gordon, Harriette Johns Julian D'Albie.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 47% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 7 reviews, TCM Leonard Maltin 2.5* out of 4*.

Special Note:  Katharine Hepburn was considered for the role of Eileen but Hepburn and Tracy were careful about the number of movies they were in together.  Tracy was married but he was in a relationship with Hepburn.  MGM recorded a loss for this film of $1,159,000.  George Cukor directed many films including The Philadelphia Story, Born Yesterday, My Fair Lady, Gone with the Wind, Something’s Got to Give.