Bachelor Mother

1939 Ginger Rogers, David Niven, Charles Coburn, Frank Albertson 81 minutes

Polly Parrish (Rogers), employed at the toy department of John Merlin & Son department store, receives a pink slip right before Christmas. While job hunting on her lunch hour, she sees a woman leave a baby on the steps of a foundling home. Polly picks up the baby just as the doors open, giving the impression that the baby is hers. Polly explains what happens, but when the orphanage employees won't believe her, she leaves the baby and runs. The situation is brought to the attention of her boss, David Merlin (Niven), who gives her back her job so that she can care for her baby. Polly finally admits defeat and takes care of him. David tries to help on several occasions, leading to hilarious confusion. Soon, of course, David falls in love with Polly, but the baby he insisted was hers begins to stand in the way of his spending time with her.

David's father, John B. Merlin (Coburn), is given an anonymous note telling him he's a grandfather. He follows David to a park where he meets Polly and his "grandson." David tells his father the baby isn't his, but, like Polly, his protests aren't believed, either.

This movie is a delightful comedy of errors, with a wonderful cast. Remade as Debbie Reynolds/Eddie Fisher's lackluster "Bundle of Joy" (1956), "Bachelor Mother" is by far the better of the two.

Check out this and other movies at Free Movies & Music Unlimited and Movies Capital