Bachelor Mother

Bachelor Mother, released in 1939 and directed by Garson Kanin, is a charming and light-hearted romantic comedy set around the holiday season. The film predominantly stars Ginger Rogers, David Niven, and Charles Coburn, each offering standout performances in this engaging narrative.

Ginger Rogers, famously known for her dancing roles alongside Fred Astaire, demonstrates her acting prowess in this film as she takes on the role of Polly Parrish. Polly is a vivacious and independent young woman who works as a salesgirl in the children's wear department at the large department store, Merlin and Son. The film begins with the harsh reality of the job market in the deflationary period of the Great Depression when she is let go from her seasonal job just after Christmas because the sales time has ended.

David Niven, a debonair English actor, plays the role of David Merlin, the affluent and rather carefree son of the department store's owner J.B. Merlin, played by the veteran actor Charles Coburn. David Merlin is characterised as a man of privilege who is not being quite ready to take up the familial responsibilities of managing the department store, caught up in his oblivious charm and a bubbly life.

The central plot of the movie unfolds when a series of comedic mix-ups have Polly wrongfully targeted as a single mother. A baby is left at an orphanage on New Year's Eve, and the orphanage mistakenly identifies Polly as the mother when she briefly picks up the abandoned child. Despite her repeated assertions that she's not the mother, a chain of misunderstandings and comedic situations causes everyone around her, including her ex-employer, to believe that she is.

David Merlin, when he discovers this assumed young, unemployed, single mother, he rehires her, mainly to keep the possible scandal away from the store but also out of a feeling of responsibility since he perceives the situation as partly his family's fault due to her firing. The department store becomes a framework for the unfolding of a series of humorous circumstances, and Ginger Rogers, with her perfect comedic timing and sophistication, makes each moment count.

A light and entertaining romance starts blossoming between Polly and David as they navigate through the situation. David taking on a role where he finds himself assuming responsibility for both the ‘bachelor mother’ and the baby allows for an endearing development in his attitude. The film is not just a romantic comedy but a comedy of errors. Definitely, one cannot ignore the social commentary underlying the humorous narrative, subtly addressing issues like unemployment, single motherhood, and stigma attached to it during the 1930s.

As the story progresses, the chemistry between Ginger Rogers and David Niven captivates the audiences. Ginger’s wit combines with Niven's charm to produce some truly delightful scenes. Charles Coburn adds another layer of laughter to the film with his entertaining portrayal of the clueless and cranky top man of Merlin Department Store, making the perfect foil for the other characters. The secondary characters, too, contribute to the hilarity, making it a well-rounded ensemble.

Garson Kanin's direction deserves much appreciation for making the film an enjoyable comedy without losing sight of the social context it was framed in. The screenplay is snappy and filled with quick quips. The film maintains its light-hearted tone throughout, but still, at times, manages to tug at the audience's heartstrings, making the characters relatable and the story grounded.

Moreover, Bachelor Mother shines in its production design with visuals aptly reflecting the era of its setting. The generous doses of humour cleverly combined with romance and an occasional touch of sentimentality make the film a classic example of Hollywood's Golden Age comedies.

Overall, Bachelor Mother is indeed an enchanting piece of cinema from Hollywood's golden era. Though set in the harsh economic times of the 1930s, the film manages to make audiences laugh and roots for the characters, making it remain not just charming but, in a way, timeless. The delightful performances, the comedic scenarios and the budding romance make the story a joy to follow and an essential watch for any fan of classic cinema.