My Pal Gus
Cast & Crew
Robert Parrish
Richard Widmark
Joanne Dru
Audrey Totter
George Winslow
Joan Banks
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Bon-bon manufacturer Dave Jennings is so focused on his Los Angeles-based business that he neglects his precocious five-year-old son Gus, who is constantly creating havoc in order to get his father's attention. After Gus's latest escapade is cleaned up and paid for, Dave orders his long-suffering secretary, Ivy Tolliver, to find a new nurse for Gus, then leaves on a business trip. Upon his return, Dave learns that Ivy has placed Gus in the Playtime School, and that he must meet with the teacher, Lydia Marble, to enroll Gus formally. Rushed as usual, Dave tells the attractive Lydia that he will pay whatever it takes to keep Gus in line, but when Lydia explains that parents are required to participate in their child's education at Playtime, Dave indignantly states that he knows all he needs to about Gus. Dave is amazed by how well Gus responds to Lydia's instructions, however, after he smacks a schoolmate. Believing that Gus can benefit from Lydia's tutelage, Dave agrees to keep him at Playtime. As the next three weeks pass, Gus becomes contented and well-behaved, but on Dave's scheduled parent participation day, the businessman instead sends a truckload of toys to the school. Lydia returns the toys with a note admonishing Dave that as a substitute for his attention, the toys are not enough, and when Dave comes to the school to protest, Lydia assumes that he is there to help. After a wearying day, Dave is angered by Lydia's amused response to his exhaustion, and he storms out, telling Gus that they will find a school that does not specialize in "making jerks out of fathers." Lydia visits his apartment that evening to explain that she was laughing merely because Dave was so much like the other bewildered new parents. Dave relates that his childhood was full of hardship, then admits that he is baffled by how to be the "top man" with his son, as he is in business. Lydia assures him that if he works hard, he will be a successful parent, then promises that if he does not enjoy his next day at school, he does not have to come again. As she leaves, Lydia tells Gus that he will be returning to Playtime, where they try to "make fathers out of jerks." Soon after, Lydia sends Dave child-rearing books and arranges for the children to visit his candy factory. Dave is surprised by how much he enjoys playing tour guide for the youngsters, and that night, at a meeting of the Playtime parents, conducts an impromptu and well-received lecture on parenting. After the meeting, Lydia mentions that Dave should get a beach house so that Gus can have more room, and asks about his wife. Dave angrily replies that his wife walked out on him and took all of his money when his business was suffering, and that he had to rebuild completely. Later that evening, Dave tells Lydia that he has fallen in love with her, and although Lydia returns Dave's affections, she tells him that his feelings stem from his dependence upon her for help with Gus. That night, Dave comforts a frightened Gus by allowing him to sleep in his bed, and, realizing that he no longer needs Lydia for instruction on child care, confronts her with his new knowledge. Secure that Dave does indeed love her for herself, Lydia enjoys his embrace. As time passes, Dave becomes a devoted father, and his romance with Lydia blossoms into an engagement. On Gus's birthday, however, Joyce, Dave's ex-wife, appears and asks Dave to visit her at her hotel. Fearing the worst, Dave keeps the appointment and discovers that the money-grubbing, immoral Joyce is broke and claims that their Mexican divorce is not legal. Dave's lawyer, Farley Norris, confirms the upsetting news, but Dave, infuriated by Joyce's reappearance, refuses to give her money to obtain a legal divorce. Determined to win, no matter what is revealed about Joyce in court, Dave does not listen to the pleas of his friends that he think of Gus and end the confrontation quietly. Dave instead hires private detectives to gather ammunition against Joyce until the day before the trial begins. Needing a rest, Dave drives to his new beach house and spends the night. Unknown to Dave, Lydia and Gus have also spent the night there, and in court the next day, Joyce's lawyer charges Dave with adultery and names Lydia as the co-respondent. The resulting publicity horrifies Lydia, and she is forced to close her school. Lydia confronts Dave, accusing him of caring more about his fortune than about his son, and breaks their engagement. As the trial continues, Farley proves that Joyce abandoned Dave, and the judge upholds Dave's request for a divorce. Although he does not award Joyce any of Dave's property, the judge, sickened by Dave's tactics, grants Joyce custody of Gus. Dave is heartbroken, and on the morning that he drives Gus to Joyce's hotel, is overcome when Gus pleads to remain with him. Realizing that Gus is more important to him than anything else, Dave marches to Joyce's room and agrees to give her everything he owns in exchange for permanent custody of Gus. As he returns to the car, Dave is met by Lydia, who promises to help him fight for his son. Assuring her that the matter is settled, Dave embraces Lydia and Gus, then asks Lydia if she can pay for lunch.
Director
Robert Parrish
Cast
Richard Widmark
Joanne Dru
Audrey Totter
George Winslow
Joan Banks
Regis Toomey
Ludwig Donath
Ann Morrison
Lisa Golm
Christopher Olsen
Robert Foulk
Mimi Gibson
Sandy Descher
Marie M. Brown
Gordon Nelson
Mabel Albertson
Jerrilyn Flannery
William Cottrell
Jay Adler
Frank Marlowe
William Dyer Jr.
Otto Forrest
James Flavin
Jonathan Hole
Frank Nelson
Joyce Newhard
Paul Kruger
George Riley
Carl Betz
Crew
Herschel Daugherty
A. F. Erickson
Paul S. Fox
Robert Fritch
Leigh Harline
Albert Hogsett
Fay Kanin
Michael Kanin
Ray Kellogg
Charles Lemaire
Harry M. Leonard
Thomas Little
J. Richard Maybery
Lionel Newman
Ben Nye
Ernie Park
Edward Powell
Stanley Rubin
Leo Tover
E. Clayton Ward
Lyle Wheeler
Paul Wurtzel
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working titles of this film were Big Man and Top Man. According to a May 1, 1952 Los Angeles Times article, the film was originally scheduled to be produced by Charles Brackett, and Richard Widmark replaced Gary Merrill as the star. Los Angeles Times also reported that Larry Keating had joined the cast, but he does not appear in the completed picture. Hollywood Reporter news items include Virginia Combs, Jerry Weil, Marie Sullivan, Ray Montgomery and Phil Schumaker in the cast, but their appearance in the finished film has also not been confirmed. Audrey Totter was borrowed from Columbia for the production. Portions of the film were shot on location in Beverly Hills and at the Hotel Miramar in Santa Monica, CA. Several reviews praised the film's depiction of parenting, and a Hollywood Citizen-News editorial asserted: "If even a few parents change their ways from seeing this film, the work of all those associated with the production is well worth while."
