The Mating Season (1951)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Mitchell Leisen

Writers:

Charles Brackett (writer)
Richard L. Breen (writer)

Release Date:

12 January 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Ellen McNulty sells her New Jersey hamburger stand and heads west to pay a surprise visit to her son and his new bride...

Plot Keywords:

Mother | Party | Maid | Mistaken Identity | Deception

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Gene Tierney	...	Maggie Carleton McNulty
John Lund	...	Val McNulty
Miriam Hopkins	...	Fran Carleton
Thelma Ritter	...	Ellen McNulty / Ellen "the maid"
Jan Sterling	...	Betsy Donaldson
Larry Keating	...	George Kalenger, Sr.
James Lorimer	...	George C. Kalenger, Jr.
Gladys Hurlbut	...	Mrs. Natalie Conger
Cora Witherspoon	...	Mrs. Owen Williamson
Malcolm Keen	...	Mr. Owen Williamson
Ellen Corby	...	Annie
Billie Bird	...	Mugsy
Mary Young	...	Spinster walking Poodle
Samuel Colt	...	Col. Conger
Grayce Hampton	...	Mrs. Fahnstock

Also Known As:

A Relative Stranger (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Quotes:

Ellen McNulty: You don't know what it was like working with her yesterday. I felt like I was 21 again.
Val McNulty: Oh Malarky
Ellen McNulty: Look wiseguy, I didn't feel like I was 21 when I was 21.

Soundtrack:

When I Take My Sugar to Tea

Not exactly deep or realistic, but wow is this movie a lot of fun!

Okay, before I begin, I should point out that cynical people are warned NOT to watch this little fantasy film. However, everyone else should delight in watching this very simple yet very enjoyable film. Sure, there are a few story elements that just don't make sense--but my advice is to try to ignore these and keep watching--the payoff makes it well worth your time.

A young couple, John Lund and Gene Tierney, are getting married but are unaware that Lund's mother (Thelma Ritter) is broke and has no place to live. However, Ritter is very proud and won't admit this or that she doesn't have the money to look nice for the wedding, so she skips the service on a pretense. Later, and here's where realism goes out the window, she shows up at Lund's and Tierney's apartment and Tierney thinks Ritter is the maid who has come to help her cook for a big party! Ritter does NOT tell her who she really is and makes a terrific spread. Only later does Lund come in the kitchen and sees what's occurred! Now even then, you MUST suspend disbelief because Lund doesn't tell his wife the truth--he was interrupted as he was telling her later that night, as she was trying to make passionate love to him and he just forgot! As a guy, I actually can believe this--at least short-term, but not for most of the movie! BEAR WITH IT!!! Ritter, one of the best forgotten supporting players (here in a starring role), is utterly charming as the housekeeper and she is able to do wonders to help the young but troubled marriage. How it all works out so perfectly in the end makes it all worth while (particular with as it involves Lund's boss, played by Larry Keating). A charming film that is practically impossible not to like!! They don't make sweet and charming films like this any more.