Should I Watch BACHELOR MOTHER or BUNDLE OF JOY?
As the Swedish daughter of a manufacturer who doesn't speak a lick of English but doesn't let that stop a good party would say, Appy Nuuu Cheah!
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We made it another year, friends! This year has been filled with high highs and low lows, but I'm still here, still healthy, and still love classic movies (especially those starring Ginger Rogers or Debbie Reynolds), so let's close out 2022 with a bang.
Looking for a New Year's Eve-themed movie? I could name a few, but the top two would be Bachelor Mother and Bundle of Joy: the original and the remake about a plucky department store worker-turned-foundling's mother who falls in love with the scion of the department store magnate in that fuzzy week between Christmas and New Year's.
Unsure of which one to watch? I've got you covered!
What's the plot of Bachelor Mother?
"An unemployed woman discovers an abandoned baby on the steps of an orphanage, and accepts an offer to take responsibility for the child in return for a job."
What's the plot of Bundle of Joy?
"After finding a baby outside an orphanage, a salesgirl receives sympathy from those around her, including her boss' son, as they all assume the baby is hers."
Would this plotline fly today?
Bachelor Mother: No.
Bundle of Joy: No, but in Technicolor.
Who's the plucky heroine?
Bachelor Mother: Polly Parish, as played by Ginger Rogers.
Bundle of Joy: Polly Parish, as played by Debbie Reynolds.
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Would I want to shop at the J.B Merlin & Son Department Store?
Bachelor Mother: If only for the cheap Disney merchandise! Imagine Donald Duck being a major plot point in any modern movie without a million strings attached to it.
Bundle of Joy: I mean, I personally would. The women's department alone would've been enough to bankrupt me if I lived in the mid-century era.
Why does Polly get fired at J.B Merlin & Son, precipitating the events of the movie?
Bachelor Mother: She's a temporary worker for the holiday period (but David gets her her job back to provide for her child.)
Bundle of Joy: She's sold too many hats and they're getting returned and capitalism, baby! (but Dan gets her her job back to provide for her child.)
Who's the hero who falls in love with Polly?
Bachelor Mother: David Niven, complete with that rapier wit. He plays David Merlin.
Bundle of Joy: Eddie Fisher. He, uh, sings. He plays Dan Merlin.
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Which chummy, grandfatherly character actor plays J.B Merlin and conveniently really, really wants a grandson?
Bachelor Mother: Charles Coburn.
Bundle of Joy: Adolphe Menjou.
Should Polly have won the dancing contest?
Bachelor Mother: Duh, it's Ginger Rogers.
Bundle of Joy: I mean, I guess. They probably should've changed it to a singing contest for Debbie, though.
What's the name of the dance club?
Bachelor Mother: The Pink Slipper Dance (but it's big band)
Bundle of Joy: The Pink Slipper (but it's jazz)
What broken toy does David/Dan try to return, proving Polly's point that it's impossible for J.B. Merlin & Son to give out refunds?
Bachelor Mother: A quacking Donald Duck toy.
Bundle of Joy: For some reason, this isn't a plot point and it should've been. It's easily the funniest part of Bachelor Mother.
Why does Polly tell Louise, David/Dan's old girlfriend why she could go stag on New Year's Eve?
Bachelor Mother: Because she has "those shoulders."
Bundle of Joy: Because she has "that short haircut."
What movie's playing at the theatre in Time Square on New Year's Eve?
Bachelor Mother: Love Affair starring Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne.
Bundle of Joy: There isn't a theatre, just plugs for the in-universe television station WSR-TV.
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Does David/Dan find out the truth in the end?
Bachelor Mother: Nope. Polly asks him if he really thinks that baby is hers, and when he says yes, she laughs at him. End credits!
Bundle of Joy: Yes, Polly lets it out and it turns out that Dan doesn't care.
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So, which one will you watch? Let me know in the comments!
And a Happy New Year to you before you go!
When BUNDLE OF JOY was released in 1956, the critics panned it and it was a boxoffice flop (it was the lowly 'second feature' when it played our local theater). But I loved it then and still do! The songs are catchy, the production is splendid (an eyeful in gorgeous Technicolor), and Debbie Reynolds is absolutely adorable. Her (soon to be ex-) husband, Eddie Fisher, is only okay but sings beautifully and that's what counts. The supporting cast is delightful (especially a newcomer Nita Talbot). But, above all, it's Debbie who makes the movie a treat, and if you love her (and who doesn't?), don't miss BUNDLE OF JOY!
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