Overview
A humorous glimpse into family life where chaos reigns under the guise of order.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- nostalgic
- warm
- family movie night
- classic film evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the polished Warner Bros. adaptation, strong cast performances, Technicolor cinematography, and direction, with particular acclaim for William Powell and Irene Dunne.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The production and contemporary critics specifically emphasize its Technicolor presentation and polished period setting.
Clarence Day Sr. believes the household runs according to his rules, while Vinnie and the children routinely reshape daily life.
The film adapts Clarence Day's popular Broadway play and was praised for the quality of its Warner Bros. screen adaptation.
The story observes courtship, childhood enterprise, marriage, and religious expectations in late-nineteenth-century New York.
Films like Life with Father, and why
The Philadelphia Story
warm period family comedy centered on domestic authority, marriage, and generational friction
Cheaper by the Dozen
classic domestic comedy with a commanding parent, polished performances, and affectionate family conflict
Meet Me in St. Louis
nostalgic ensemble comedy about family relationships and children testing parental control
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Curtiz
- Release Date
- 1947-09-13
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (73)
Cast
- William Powell
- Irene Dunne
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Edmund Gwenn
- Zasu Pitts
- Jimmy Lydon
- Emma Dunn
- Moroni Olsen
- Elisabeth Risdon
- Derek Scott
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, Brew, MGM Plus, Pure Flix, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Life with Father about?
- A blustery Wall Street patriarch discovers that his supposedly orderly New York household is governed by everyone but him.
- What is Life with Father like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Life with Father as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Life with Father violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Life with Father.
- What did critics think of Life with Father?
- Critics broadly praised the polished Warner Bros. adaptation, strong cast performances, Technicolor cinematography, and direction, with particular acclaim for William Powell and Irene Dunne.
- Which films are like Life with Father?
- Films with a similar feel include The Philadelphia Story, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Meet Me in St. Louis.
- How long is Life with Father?
- Life with Father runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch Life with Father?
- In United States, Life with Father streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, Brew, MGM Plus, Pure Flix, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel, Artiflix.
