I saw "My Pal Gus" many years ago, in Australia, but it is one of the movies that have remained in my memory ever since. I think the main reason I enjoyed this particular film was because it was so different from the usual roles that Richard Widmark played. This is one of the films that I would enjoy seeing again as it would be interesting to see how it has stood up to the "test of time". I particularly remember the scene at the kindergarten where the children were playing in the dirt, which culminated in Richard Widmark having a rather unusual taste treat, and some of the children had questions his character found difficult to answer. A really enjoyable film, without any bad language, torrid love scenes or violence - a great family film.
12 Reviews
My Pal Gus
clarkjajc11 March 2006
I am disappointed that George Winslow has never gotten more credit for being one of the most adorable child actors of all time. I also regret that the movie, "My Pal Gus" has never been released on video. I loved the movie and have looked and looked for it to show up on TCM or AMC. It was a very enjoyable movie with top actors, i.e. Richard Widmark and Jo Ann Dru along with George Winslow; one of which you just don't get any more. I would love for my children and grandchildren to be able to see these movies as well. I did see The Scoutmaster once in the last year or so,but as far as I know, that was the only time in the last several years. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would also like to see it again. Please pass it on that movies like these are never forgotten and I would request that you pass it on to whoever it matters that it would be very appreciated if My Pal Gus could be offered on video. Thank you very much for your consideration in this matter and the chance to tell you this. Jo Ann Clark
Foghorn Winslow Does It Again
ttlankf325 October 1999
Any movie with George " Foghorn " Winslow is fun ! I know that's a generalization of the first magnitude , but it happens to be true. This is a little movie - but a good one . It's definitely a 50's style family affair . Richard Widmark softens his act and comes across as very believable . When " Foghorn " is on screen , however , the film belongs to him . Enjoy .
A father first
bkoganbing26 April 2016
I'm sure Richard Widmark probably fought to get a role where he wasn't a tough guy, good or bad. If so My Pal Gus fits the bill perfectly for a man who wanted a little diversity in his roles.
Widmark is a divorced father whose wife Audrey Totter ran out on him and his young son George Winslow. Widmark in those years has made quite a name for himself and a lot of money to boot. But he's consumed with making money that responsibility for his temper tantrum throwing kid leaving that to butler Ludwig Donath and cook Lisa Golm.
That changes when he enrolls Winslow in Joanne Dru's private school and Dru takes an interest in him and the boy.
There are certain plot similarities between My Pal Gus and the John Wayne-Donna Reed film Trouble Along The Way. Of course the major difference was the economic position of disgraced football coach John Wayne and businessman tycoon Richard Widmark.
One thing that was exactly the same was the mother role. Neither Marie Windsor or Audrey Totter would win mother of the year. Totter especially if you envision your mom as a mother cobra than Totter is perfect casting. She had the juiciest role in My Pal Gus and made the most of it.
The end result is for Widmark to learn he's a father first and everything else is second. How he learns it is for you to see My Pal Gus.
Widmark is a divorced father whose wife Audrey Totter ran out on him and his young son George Winslow. Widmark in those years has made quite a name for himself and a lot of money to boot. But he's consumed with making money that responsibility for his temper tantrum throwing kid leaving that to butler Ludwig Donath and cook Lisa Golm.
That changes when he enrolls Winslow in Joanne Dru's private school and Dru takes an interest in him and the boy.
There are certain plot similarities between My Pal Gus and the John Wayne-Donna Reed film Trouble Along The Way. Of course the major difference was the economic position of disgraced football coach John Wayne and businessman tycoon Richard Widmark.
One thing that was exactly the same was the mother role. Neither Marie Windsor or Audrey Totter would win mother of the year. Totter especially if you envision your mom as a mother cobra than Totter is perfect casting. She had the juiciest role in My Pal Gus and made the most of it.
The end result is for Widmark to learn he's a father first and everything else is second. How he learns it is for you to see My Pal Gus.
Solid Story
dougdoepke26 July 2012
Word around school at the time was you had to see Foghorn Winslow to believe it. So we all trooped dutifully to the theatre where we heard this little kid sound like an adult who'd had about 1,000 cigarettes too many. Plus, he had this Buster Keaton deadpan that never changed expression. So we all laughed at a kid who didn't look or sound like any kid we knew. And a good thing he was pretty funny because I don't remember caring much for the adult end.
Now I can appreciate the adult end even though the movie sags a bit in the middle. I guess it's to the credit of the Kanin's that the story is as generally intelligent as it is. After all, most of us simply assume it's kids who need to be sensitized into an adult world and not vice-versa. But the movie shows us how sometimes the latter is more important than the former; that is, if we're going to succeed with the former. The ending too is a good little lesson in values, though I'm not sure how many folks could make the same gutsy decision Dave (Widmark) does.
Looks like Widmark was looking for a career change since a suburban dad seems a little tame for the likes of Tommy Udo, Kiss of Death (1947). He does surprisingly well, especially as the hard-driving business tycoon. But I'd really like to enroll in whatever school Miss Marble (Dru) is teaching at. She's a knockout, making it hard to believe there're not a hundred guys crowding around her. On the other end, I hope they paid Totter double for impersonating a mother from heck.
Anyhow, I'm glad I caught up again with this little programmer after so many years. Despite my much earlier impression, there really is a lot more to the movie than an unusual little kid, good as he is.
Now I can appreciate the adult end even though the movie sags a bit in the middle. I guess it's to the credit of the Kanin's that the story is as generally intelligent as it is. After all, most of us simply assume it's kids who need to be sensitized into an adult world and not vice-versa. But the movie shows us how sometimes the latter is more important than the former; that is, if we're going to succeed with the former. The ending too is a good little lesson in values, though I'm not sure how many folks could make the same gutsy decision Dave (Widmark) does.
Looks like Widmark was looking for a career change since a suburban dad seems a little tame for the likes of Tommy Udo, Kiss of Death (1947). He does surprisingly well, especially as the hard-driving business tycoon. But I'd really like to enroll in whatever school Miss Marble (Dru) is teaching at. She's a knockout, making it hard to believe there're not a hundred guys crowding around her. On the other end, I hope they paid Totter double for impersonating a mother from heck.
Anyhow, I'm glad I caught up again with this little programmer after so many years. Despite my much earlier impression, there really is a lot more to the movie than an unusual little kid, good as he is.
Very good...except for one problem with the plot late in the story.
planktonrules5 May 2023
"My Pal Gus" is a very enjoyable family film. However, late in the story there's a plot twist that didn't make sense to me or my aunt who was watching with me. Fortunately, it didn't harm the movie too much...but it reduces the score I expected to give it from 8 to 7.
Dave Jennings (Richard Widmark) is a very successful man...at least when it comes to his business. But when it comes to raising his young son, Gus (George Winslow), he is a failure. This is because after his awful wife left him because he wasn't successful enough for her, he became all business...making him rich but neglecting the boy in the process.
After having every possible governess refuse to work for him because the boy is out of control, he enrolls the boy in a local preschool, as the teacher (Joanne Dru) turns out to be exactly what the family needs. Now that things are going wonderfully, you know SOMETHING bad must happen, as it's only halfway through the movies. The what turns out to be Dave's selfish ex-wife....and what comes next, you'll have to see for yourself.
I don't want to give away too much of the story, but late in the movie there's a court hearing and the judge's decision simply made no sense. I am actually surprised the writer of the film didn't notice this....but my aunt and I were baffled by this illogical plot twist. Still, despite this, the story is engaging and well worth your time. Just try to suspend disbelief at the wonky part of the story!
Dave Jennings (Richard Widmark) is a very successful man...at least when it comes to his business. But when it comes to raising his young son, Gus (George Winslow), he is a failure. This is because after his awful wife left him because he wasn't successful enough for her, he became all business...making him rich but neglecting the boy in the process.
After having every possible governess refuse to work for him because the boy is out of control, he enrolls the boy in a local preschool, as the teacher (Joanne Dru) turns out to be exactly what the family needs. Now that things are going wonderfully, you know SOMETHING bad must happen, as it's only halfway through the movies. The what turns out to be Dave's selfish ex-wife....and what comes next, you'll have to see for yourself.
I don't want to give away too much of the story, but late in the movie there's a court hearing and the judge's decision simply made no sense. I am actually surprised the writer of the film didn't notice this....but my aunt and I were baffled by this illogical plot twist. Still, despite this, the story is engaging and well worth your time. Just try to suspend disbelief at the wonky part of the story!
Richard Widmark DOES have a soft side.
pizzawarrior1956-115 January 2006
Once again, we have an example here of a movie that has been lost to the limbo of cable TV somewhere.
It is unfortunate that when AMC lost Nick Clooney as a host, and decided that movies 5 or 10 years old and in COLOR should be CLASSICS, and then chose to forget about some movies that were 'middle-aged', (being from the '50s) and black & white.
Talk about discrimination !!!
Well, maybe Turner Classics or the Fox Movie channel may think otherwise someday, but for now we seem to be deprived of some real treasures.
For example, here is a family classic deserving of praise, as well as being seen much more often.
Here we have tough-guy Richard Widmark showing off his 'soft side' and his parenting skills.
Or, rather the lack of them.
It seems that his son Gus, played by George Winslow (old 'Foghorn')is not behaving himself, so his frustrated male parent takes him to a nursery school, run by Joanne Dru.
As we all know, or should know, Ms Dru is not the usual image one would conjure as a 'schoolmarm', which also doesn't escape the notice of Mr Widmark.
While it is not long before Gus is well-behaved, now the father wants to stay after school with 'teacher'.
Naughty, Naughty !!!!
Well, not really !!!
You see, Father is divorced and has sole custody of the child, (a rare thing in the 1950's), and considering wife Carolyn Jones and HER parenting skills, who can blame the court.
It appears that being a businessman takes a great deal out of his time (Widmark runs a company that makes ice-cream and candy).
WHAT ????????
Yes, you heard right, tough-guy RW makes bons-bons, not BOMB-BOMBS !!!
Anyway the teacher obliges by tutoring Father about kids in general, and in so doing allowing him to win his son's love and respect, and in the end winning the teacher's hand.
But, things don't work out well when his wife names the teacher in her divorce action, resulting in a nasty trial that nearly undoes everything.
But my friends, trust old time Hollywood to win the day, as all turns out well in the end.
Of course, this was the usual Hollywood studio effort before television and the studio system was broken up to make room for those NEW CLASSICS on AMC.
Too bad Hollywood had to grow up !!!!
Hope we don't !!!
And I hope we see this gem again real soon.
It is unfortunate that when AMC lost Nick Clooney as a host, and decided that movies 5 or 10 years old and in COLOR should be CLASSICS, and then chose to forget about some movies that were 'middle-aged', (being from the '50s) and black & white.
Talk about discrimination !!!
Well, maybe Turner Classics or the Fox Movie channel may think otherwise someday, but for now we seem to be deprived of some real treasures.
For example, here is a family classic deserving of praise, as well as being seen much more often.
Here we have tough-guy Richard Widmark showing off his 'soft side' and his parenting skills.
Or, rather the lack of them.
It seems that his son Gus, played by George Winslow (old 'Foghorn')is not behaving himself, so his frustrated male parent takes him to a nursery school, run by Joanne Dru.
As we all know, or should know, Ms Dru is not the usual image one would conjure as a 'schoolmarm', which also doesn't escape the notice of Mr Widmark.
While it is not long before Gus is well-behaved, now the father wants to stay after school with 'teacher'.
Naughty, Naughty !!!!
Well, not really !!!
You see, Father is divorced and has sole custody of the child, (a rare thing in the 1950's), and considering wife Carolyn Jones and HER parenting skills, who can blame the court.
It appears that being a businessman takes a great deal out of his time (Widmark runs a company that makes ice-cream and candy).
WHAT ????????
Yes, you heard right, tough-guy RW makes bons-bons, not BOMB-BOMBS !!!
Anyway the teacher obliges by tutoring Father about kids in general, and in so doing allowing him to win his son's love and respect, and in the end winning the teacher's hand.
But, things don't work out well when his wife names the teacher in her divorce action, resulting in a nasty trial that nearly undoes everything.
But my friends, trust old time Hollywood to win the day, as all turns out well in the end.
Of course, this was the usual Hollywood studio effort before television and the studio system was broken up to make room for those NEW CLASSICS on AMC.
Too bad Hollywood had to grow up !!!!
Hope we don't !!!
And I hope we see this gem again real soon.
A Richard Widmark Comedy?
boblipton24 October 2017
Richard Widmark in a comedy? Yes, I can see it very easily. That brittle, angry sort of character he played throughout much of his career was made for a kick in the pants and a trip on a banana peel. but he doesn't get either. he just dopes out his son, budding pyromaniac (annoying) George Winslow and is making good progress in a by-the-numbers 1950s romcom with nursery school teacher Joanne Dru, when ex-wife Audrey Trotter reappears to put the squeeze on him, and it's back to drama land for Mr. Widmark.
Even Kirk Douglas tried a couple of comedies in the 1950s. All right, they weren't funny, but he tried.
Even Kirk Douglas tried a couple of comedies in the 1950s. All right, they weren't funny, but he tried.
This is Richard Widmark's best movie!
kevin-181220 February 2008
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.
Pleasing Surprise
Dfree5219 April 2012
I just caught most of MY PAL GUS on the Fox movie channel early this morning. Boasting Richard Widmark as a single parent to a preschool boy (frog sounding George Winslow) and the lovely Joanne Dru as the boy's teacher, I thought I'd give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised.
Here is a portrayal of a parent who can't deal with his precocious child and seeks help with a professional. He's a successful, self made business man and getting help is something he rarely does.
***Spoiler Alerts***
We follow Dave Jennings (Widmark) through his frustrating efforts to cope with the school's (and it's administrator's, Dru's Lydia Marble) demands for active participation. Widmark is awkward, annoyed and at times funny as he struggles with his softer side. As Dru converts a "jerk into a parent" his feelings for her deepen and she eventually relents. She of course is a teacher to both son and father.
But paradise is threatened by the cold, conniving ex-wife and boy's mother Joyce (Audrey Totter). She left her family high and dry when the boy was an infant but is back looking for a payoff.
A custody battle ensues and both sides get what they want...or do they? This of course endangers all concerned...father-son and Dave-Lydia. I won't spoil the outcome but the battle is largely Dave's fault. He's not willing to settle out of court, so sure he'll win, as he has with everything. The spectre of losing his son and his love guides him in the end.
Great to watch Widmark, though still the tough guy in a different role. What I liked best is that it's not sappy or hokey. Dad doesn't have to do something to win over his child or gain the support of his woman, just be a loving man. Dru is good as Widmark's patient love. Joan Banks is Widmark's capable personal assistant Ivy, Regis Toomey his lawyer.
Nice companion to 1953's TROUBLE ALONG THE WAY (John Wayne-Donna Reed).
Here is a portrayal of a parent who can't deal with his precocious child and seeks help with a professional. He's a successful, self made business man and getting help is something he rarely does.
***Spoiler Alerts***
We follow Dave Jennings (Widmark) through his frustrating efforts to cope with the school's (and it's administrator's, Dru's Lydia Marble) demands for active participation. Widmark is awkward, annoyed and at times funny as he struggles with his softer side. As Dru converts a "jerk into a parent" his feelings for her deepen and she eventually relents. She of course is a teacher to both son and father.
But paradise is threatened by the cold, conniving ex-wife and boy's mother Joyce (Audrey Totter). She left her family high and dry when the boy was an infant but is back looking for a payoff.
A custody battle ensues and both sides get what they want...or do they? This of course endangers all concerned...father-son and Dave-Lydia. I won't spoil the outcome but the battle is largely Dave's fault. He's not willing to settle out of court, so sure he'll win, as he has with everything. The spectre of losing his son and his love guides him in the end.
Great to watch Widmark, though still the tough guy in a different role. What I liked best is that it's not sappy or hokey. Dad doesn't have to do something to win over his child or gain the support of his woman, just be a loving man. Dru is good as Widmark's patient love. Joan Banks is Widmark's capable personal assistant Ivy, Regis Toomey his lawyer.
Nice companion to 1953's TROUBLE ALONG THE WAY (John Wayne-Donna Reed).
Children are people?
mark.waltz3 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Oh those post war Freudian psych 101 ideas. I came from parents who were teens when this was released, and I don't recall any parental ideas utilized in this film evident in the way they were obviously raised so perhaps my grandparents didn't see this film. Maybe then we weren't the problem child like George "Foghorn" Winslow and maybe they had different ideals than single father Richard Widmark does here.
A divorced man who somehow in the baby boomer era got custody of his son. Ex-wife Audrey Totter shows up to claim that the divorce is invalid just as he's starting to fall for teacher Joanne Dru. Totter, a rare femme fatale presence in a comedy, adds the spark that this film needs to prevent it from becoming all too gooey, while Widmark, usually a dark presence, is a good father but quirky, and Dru, very modern as the new breed of 50's career woman, is still vulnerable and quite likeable.
As for "Foghorn", he's the perfect 50's quirky kid, definitely a precursor to Dennis and Beaver on TV, and nowhere near as annoying as "Froggy" from the last years of the "Our Gang" series of shorts. The film manages to be sweet but not too sugary, and the humor is quite subtle. ("Don't let the bed bugs bite", Widmark says as he puts Winslow to bed, to which he barks "Bugs bite!") "Wouldn't it be awful to marry a woman who was always right?", Widmark says in his kissing clinch with Dru, giving an indication that the screen writing team of Fay and Michael Kanin used parts of their own marriage to create the story.
A divorced man who somehow in the baby boomer era got custody of his son. Ex-wife Audrey Totter shows up to claim that the divorce is invalid just as he's starting to fall for teacher Joanne Dru. Totter, a rare femme fatale presence in a comedy, adds the spark that this film needs to prevent it from becoming all too gooey, while Widmark, usually a dark presence, is a good father but quirky, and Dru, very modern as the new breed of 50's career woman, is still vulnerable and quite likeable.
As for "Foghorn", he's the perfect 50's quirky kid, definitely a precursor to Dennis and Beaver on TV, and nowhere near as annoying as "Froggy" from the last years of the "Our Gang" series of shorts. The film manages to be sweet but not too sugary, and the humor is quite subtle. ("Don't let the bed bugs bite", Widmark says as he puts Winslow to bed, to which he barks "Bugs bite!") "Wouldn't it be awful to marry a woman who was always right?", Widmark says in his kissing clinch with Dru, giving an indication that the screen writing team of Fay and Michael Kanin used parts of their own marriage to create the story.
He's too cute for words
HotToastyRag30 September 2022
Richard Widmark is so adorable in this movie! If this was the first movie he ever made, instead of Kiss of Death, he would have had an entirely different career. He would have played nice, lovable guys, fathers, love interests - he might have even played alongside Frank Sinatra in Guys and Dolls - talk about the battle of the blue eyes!
He plays a single dad in this movie, and he enrolls his young son, George Winslow, in a daycare run by Joanne Dru. It's no surprise that he and Joanne fall in love, but can she help soften his edges? He's a businessman at heart who prioritizes work ahead of family. When he realizes how much his son needs him, how will he change? Or will his ex-wife, Audrey Totter, come back into the picture and ruin everything?
My Pal Gus is really sweet, but chances are you haven't heard of it. Richard Widmark isn't really famous for making cute movies. Try to find a copy of it if you can, because he's just too cute for words. There's something so endearing about a gangster-type reading stories to children. Remember how cute Brian Donlevy was in The Great McGinty? Now it's Dick's turn, and it's so easy to root for him and hope he, George, and Joanne can all work out together.
He plays a single dad in this movie, and he enrolls his young son, George Winslow, in a daycare run by Joanne Dru. It's no surprise that he and Joanne fall in love, but can she help soften his edges? He's a businessman at heart who prioritizes work ahead of family. When he realizes how much his son needs him, how will he change? Or will his ex-wife, Audrey Totter, come back into the picture and ruin everything?
My Pal Gus is really sweet, but chances are you haven't heard of it. Richard Widmark isn't really famous for making cute movies. Try to find a copy of it if you can, because he's just too cute for words. There's something so endearing about a gangster-type reading stories to children. Remember how cute Brian Donlevy was in The Great McGinty? Now it's Dick's turn, and it's so easy to root for him and hope he, George, and Joanne can all work out together.
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