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Bachelor Mother

  • 1939
  • Approved
  • 1h 22m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.7K
YOUR RATING
David Niven, Ginger Rogers, and Elbert Coplen Jr. in Bachelor Mother (1939)
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.
Play trailer1:22
1 Video
63 Photos
Holiday RomanceRomantic ComedyScrewball ComedyComedyRomance

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.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.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.

  • Director
    • Garson Kanin
  • Writers
    • Norman Krasna
    • Felix Jackson
    • Garson Kanin
  • Stars
    • Ginger Rogers
    • David Niven
    • Charles Coburn
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    4.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Garson Kanin
    • Writers
      • Norman Krasna
      • Felix Jackson
      • Garson Kanin
    • Stars
      • Ginger Rogers
      • David Niven
      • Charles Coburn
    • 66User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Reissue Trailer
    Trailer 1:22
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    Photos63

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    Top cast66

    Edit
    Ginger Rogers
    Ginger Rogers
    • Polly Parrish
    David Niven
    David Niven
    • David Merlin
    Charles Coburn
    Charles Coburn
    • J. B. Merlin
    Frank Albertson
    Frank Albertson
    • Freddie Miller
    E.E. Clive
    E.E. Clive
    • Merlin's Butler
    Elbert Coplen Jr.
    • Johnnie - the Baby
    Ferike Boros
    Ferike Boros
    • Mrs. Weiss - the Landlady
    Ernest Truex
    Ernest Truex
    • Orphanage Investigator
    Leonard Penn
    Leonard Penn
    • Jerome Weiss
    Paul Stanton
    Paul Stanton
    • Hargraves
    Frank M. Thomas
    Frank M. Thomas
    • Orphanage Doctor
    Edna Holland
    Edna Holland
    • Orphanage Matron
    Dennie Moore
    Dennie Moore
    • Mary
    June Wilkins
    June Wilkins
    • Louise King
    Donald Duck
    • Donald Duck
    Clarence Nash
    Clarence Nash
    • Donald Duck
    • (voice)
    • (as Donald Duck)
    Dorothy Adams
    Dorothy Adams
    • Secretary
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Allen
    Eddie Allen
    • New Year's Eve Celebrant
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Garson Kanin
    • Writers
      • Norman Krasna
      • Felix Jackson
      • Garson Kanin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After making this movie, David Niven returned to England to serve in the British Army during World War II. At the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, German infiltrators into American lines caused roadblocks to be established and military police asked all suspicious persons questions about things no German was likely to know. Lt. Col. David Niven was stopped at a roadblock and was asked who won the baseball World Series in 1940. He replied, "I haven't the faintest idea, but I do know that I made a picture with Ginger Rogers in 1938." The MP replied, "OK, beat it, Dave, but watch your step, for Chrissake."
    • Goofs
      Since the film was released in August 1939, the New Year's Eve celebration must be 31 December 1938. A theater marquee is seen, showing Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer in Love Affair (1939), which was not released until April 1939 so could not have been shown at a theater the preceding New Year's Eve.
    • Quotes

      David Merlin: So how do you like her?

      Louise King: [Thinking Polly speaks only Swedish.] Pretty good for a fill-in. I'd just as soon go stag.

      Polly: You could, too, with those shoulders.

    • Crazy credits
      The cast of characters includes a wind-up toy: Donald Duck as himself. Ginger Rogers' character was in charge of a display table full of the toys.
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood the Golden Years: The RKO Story: A Woman's Lot (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Rock-a-Bye Baby
      (1886) (uncredited)
      Music by Effie I. Canning
      Variations often in the score

    User reviews66

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Lovely, funny, and enjoyable

    I recently caught this movie on TV one Saturday morning, and was it ever a delight! The story is based on a series of comedic errors, but unlike more recent films, the top-notch acting leads you to believe that yes, it could really happen that way! (I'm used to films veering way too far into the slapstick so that I'm just rolling my eyes and suspending my belief -- here I was just chuckling away.)

    Ginger Rodgers and David Niven give fabulous performances, and the head of the Foundling Home plays his part without flaw. I finished the film with a warm, happy glow that I carried into the day. I will enjoy revisiting it in the future.
    • alix-7
    • Mar 2, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Bachelor Mother?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 4, 1939 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Little Mother
    • Filming locations
      • Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(backgrounds)
    • Production company
      • RKO Radio Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,149
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 22 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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