Product Details

• Actors: Jackie Gleason, Glynis Johns, Charlie Ruggles, Laurel Goodwin, Lina Bruhl
• Directors: George Marshall
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kartes Video Communications
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000E7YKMS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,379 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

What a treat!!! -M. Sparks (Los Angeles)... This is why JG was "The Great One" -Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC)... Jack Griffith (Jackie Gleason) is a boisterous railroad supervisor who makes a good salary and takes a drink more often than his wife (Glynis Johns) or his oldest daughter (Larel Goodwin) feel is proper. After all, in Grageville, Texas at the turn of the century, nice folks simply didn't drink a lot. However, in the eyes of six-year-old Corrine (Linda Bruhl), Papa can do no wrong -- even when he's in his "delicate condition." Papa gains even more adoration from his youngest daughter when he attempts to fulfill her wish for a circus pony and cart and ends up buying the whole circus -- a purchase packed with unknown debts that gobble up the family's savings. Fed up with Papa Jack's irresponsibilities, Mama packs up the children and returns to her father's home in Texarkana. Crushed by this tremendous loss, Papa tries to make good on his mistakes by using the circus to help Grandfather Ghio (Charlie Ruggles) get re-elected as mayor. The election turns out favorably, but Jack fails again and he disappears. It isn't long, however, before the family is missing their flamboyant Papa and they seek him out to bring him home for good. Based on silent film star Corrine Griffith's own account of her childhood, Papa's Delicate Condition is family fun enhanced by Edith Head's costumes and the Oscar-winning song "Call Me Irresponsible" by James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a treat!!!, December 11, 2004

By 

Marils (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Papa's Delicate Condition [VHS] (VHS Tape)

For years I had been vaguely aware of the existence of this film, but wrote it off as being a product of it's time such as "Cheaper by the Dozen", which by todays standard is SO DATED. Boy, was I wrong. Papa's Delicate Condition was funny, witty, and refreshing. Jackie Gleason's sly sarcasm is as hilarious as it is timeless. For those of you who only know Jackie Gleason from "The Honeymooners", you will be delighted to see Gleason's artistry go way beyond his character as Ralph Cramden. Though the movie is filled with great character actors, Gleason definitely carries the picture.

I found the relationship between the father and his youngest daughter to be particularly endearing. In one scene, he tells the older sister and the mother to stop ganging up on the little girl. It is at moments like that which cause the picture to break away from the mold and stereotypes of it's era.

This is a great family picture. The storyline is simple enough for children to follow along, while the adults will enjoy the great writing, snappy comebacks, and saltiness of the dialogue.

I agree with the previous reviewer that said that the story was a little weak. It is for this reason that I am not giving the movie 5 stars. Do not confuse a weak storyline, however, with great dialogue and acting. Not only is it entertaining, the color and cinematography make this a visual stunner.

I am surprised that this movie has not made the crossover from VHS to DVD when so many less satisfying movies have. Perhaps, like myself, they judged the movie by it's cover..and are only now just discovering what a gem it really is.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Vehicle for the Great One, July 14, 2008

By 

David Baldwin (Philadelphia,PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Papa's Delicate Condition (DVD)

When Jackie Gleason passed some years ago I remember a couple of tidbits from his obituary. One relates a doctor telling him that he had lung cancer and suggesting that he cut back on his smoking. Heeding his doctor's advice Gleason cut back from six packs a day to four packs. Gleason had his own little Algonquin Round Circle that consisted of Salvador Dali and Mickey Mantle among others. What did these seeming unlike public figures have in common? A love of the bottle. Gleason made something of a mark in films after his "Honeymooners" heyday. He was absolutely mesmerizing as Minnesota Fats in "The Hustler". I'm still waiting for a DVD release of "Soldier in the Rain" with Steve McQueen. "Papa's Delicate Condition" is an interesting film in that it was probably promoted as a comedy but dig a little deeper it's a sober look at the scourge of alcoholism. Gleason's Jack Griffiths is one of those larger-than-life gregarious personalities whose impulsive behaviour, usually when soused, that wins over some people particularly his impressionable six year old daughter. Not so his wife and older daughter. Why I don't rate this film five stars is it's not written explicitly that Griffiths is a self-destructive personality. Gleason, probably through personal experience, reads between the lines like he implicitly knows Jack Griffiths. This is not a slurring, stumbling, stereotypical drunk. Griffiths on the surface appears rather sober but underneath is destroying himself with liquor. This is an average film raised to the next level by a great performance. If your a fan of Gleason's this film is essential.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still fresh comedy after 38 years, March 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Papa's Delicate Condition [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Jackie Gleason is great in this movie. He play a troubled man who has no idea how to be a good father. But when he finally trys to do it, he goes to far. The result must be seen to be believed!