This is an episode of "Four Star Playhouse"--a 1950s anthology series that used four famous actors as alternating leads in each show. This particular one stars Charles Boyer--a wonderful actor who seemed a bit out of place in this very rushed show.
The story begins with Boyer having just married a woman. Only then does she reveal that she has children. Now, if you think about it, this makes little sense--how could a man actually marry a lady and not know she has three grown children?! Regardless, the idea, while strained, was workable IF the show hadn't been so rushed and the ending so contrived. You see, the kids are all horrible brats and it appears as if will take months or years to get them under control. However, the clever Boyer, through the use of discipline and understanding, is able to win them over with rapidity that would shock Mary Poppins! Now if this had not been a half hour show and stretched out to a longer format, it might have worked. Instead, it's entertaining but very, very slight. A good idea but the execution left a bit to be desired.
The story begins with Boyer having just married a woman. Only then does she reveal that she has children. Now, if you think about it, this makes little sense--how could a man actually marry a lady and not know she has three grown children?! Regardless, the idea, while strained, was workable IF the show hadn't been so rushed and the ending so contrived. You see, the kids are all horrible brats and it appears as if will take months or years to get them under control. However, the clever Boyer, through the use of discipline and understanding, is able to win them over with rapidity that would shock Mary Poppins! Now if this had not been a half hour show and stretched out to a longer format, it might have worked. Instead, it's entertaining but very, very slight. A good idea but the execution left a bit to be desired.
