That's my opinion only but no other Widmark film I've seen offers him the range of emotions he displays in this one. Mr. Widmark is tough as nails in The Alamo and How the West Was Won but he gets the chance to be stern, compassionate, vindictive, curt, redemptive, shattered, and ultimately happy all in this one feature. His character's relationship to his son is expertly performed by Mr. Widmark and George "Froggy" Winslow (who was never better). Joanne Dru was never more beautiful and is the woman who brings out a number of the above noted emotions. The writing is sharp and the cast delivers the lines in top form. Miss Dru has the best line when Winslow tells her that her Dad won't bring him back to the Day Care because they (the Day Care) "Make jerks out of dads!" Miss Dru tells Winslow in return (and without venom) that they try to make "Dads out of jerks!" The film is entertaining, funny, sad, and redemptive in the end. It is the first film I can think of to deal with single parenting and Day Care Centers. Don't miss this one.
Review of My Pal Gus
