To unmarred people, or those who have never had children and don't have a background filled with more than one sibling, this movie might be a turnoff. To those who come from a large family, or who have raised a family with at least two kids, this film may strike them in any number of ways. To some, it will seem real. To others very exaggerated. To some, lack of parenting or control of kids. To others, a bunch kids run wild. But, for all who have a family background of any kind, it should be enjoyable for the humor.
As a father of six adult children and grandfather of a couple dozen (by blood, adoption and marriage), I have experienced all sides. And, I would only take issue with anyone who thinks the three children in this film are brats. They are children - young children, and only the oldest is likely to remember their father who died almost five years ago. Zoe would have been a baby in diapers yet.
It isn't clear if Katie Armstrong had to work to support the family, or if she had considerable financial help from insurance or family assets. They did have a maid, so they weren't poor.
Any mom trying to raise kids alone will have difficulties far beyond homes that have a mother and father. It's harder for a single parent to be able to discipline children all the time when they need it, and it's harder for one adult to coral kids at times. And, single mothers (and some single fathers I've known) tend to give their children a little more leeway when they have lost the other parent, especially to death. So, one might say that Claudette Colbert's Katie was a little too lax in training her kids. Otherwise, this film just shows types of the sometimes crazy, sometimes silly, sometimes annoying, and occasionally risky or dangerous things kids may do.
So, taking the film as it is, Fred MacMurray's Grant Jordan, is quite good as a brand new stepdad. This is a nice little family flick. There aren't lots of clever or witty lines, and the humor is mostly in the situations. Many parents might even chuckle over the lost boys who got off the train before it pulled out. Many of us have had our own scrapes with a child suddenly disappearing or darting off in a huge department store. It's natural to be worried in such instances. But seeing others having the same experiences, when one knows it's almost certain to turn out all right, one can't help but smile.
"Family Honeymoon" isn't one of the rollicking funny, or clever and hilarious comedies that both MacMurray and Colbert starred in. It's a family comedy, with the unusual situation of having to have kids along on a honeymoon. I enjoyed it. I think most people with families will too. But there will be some who won't.
Two favorite lines in the film are early in the picture as guests are gathered for the wedding and reception. One woman says to another, "Imagine - the most eligible bachelor in town being captured by a widow."
Another woman is talking with Minna Fenster (played by Rita Johnson). "Is there any reason why Mrs. Armstrong and Professor Jordan shouldn't be happy," she asks. Minna replies, "Well, you see.." Just then, the three kids come charging into the house with Aunt Jo, Katie's sister, and scamper up the stairs. The woman asks, "Uh, are all these hers?" Minna says, "Yes. The bride to be is with you might call a crowd."
Another good line is between Grant and young Abner. Abner, "Can you hypnotize people?" Grant Jordan, "Well, I , uh, I have put a lot of students to sleep. Heh, heh."
