Ma femme et ses enfants (1948) Online

I saw this movie once on TV and have not forgotten it. It was entertaining with the strained relationship of Colbert and Fred McMurray and the back and forth snipping that the old comedies were so famous for. Let's face it, these two just have great chemistry together and are masters at that kind of domestic comedy. The honeymoon with the kids at the Grand Canyon is everyone's nightmare and you have to laugh at their plight with the honeymoon sabotaged by those out of control kids. What I loved so much were the views of the Lodge at the South Rim and just the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon from a time lost forever. Some of the shots are amazing. If this one ever came out on DVD I would buy it because it is fun light hearted entertainment done only as these two know how to do it.

Let me just start by saying that Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray were two of the finest romantic comedy teams of the 30's and 40's. In more than half a dozen films, they proved themselves to be a perfect match on screen. They are best remembered for "The Egg and I" made by Universal right before this film. Although that film (which lead to the "Ma & Pa Kettle" series) had its flaws, it is a masterpiece compared to this. The story is this: Colbert, a widow with three young kids, is all set to marry MacMurray, but the kids (especially the baby daughter) are against it from the start. They nag and complain every change they get. When Colbert's mother breaks a leg during the ceremony, the newlyweds are forced to take the kids on their honeymoon since no one else wants to look after them. From there, the kids cause all kinds of trouble that threatens Colbert and MacMurray's happiness. What weakens this comedy is the fact that the kids are so bratty and the adults are too wimpy to put their feet down. Colbert and MacMurray are fine, and Hattie McDaniels, as the maid, gives a very funny performance as well. However, the children simply just aren't funny, no matter how "cute" their schemes try to be. They have absolutely no motivation for what they do: they are just simply brats. And of course, we have a scheming "other woman" as well thrown in for good measure. Missing the charm of "The Egg and I" (where at least the newlyweds had to battle nature), "Family Honeymoon" is a mediocre film that the talented stars can't even save.

It's ridiculous and not because of the kids but because of the ex- girlfriend who is able to fool Fred. I love all the other films where Claudette Colbert (one of my favorite actresses) and Fred McMurray (one of my favorite actors) team up together because it's always a winning combination but it was beginning to get annoying mid-way and I would rather watch another film with them in it again than waste my time on this. Sorry, but it's the truth unfortunately.