I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

A Masterpiece!

The acting in this movie is really good.

Little Ronny Howard gives a remarkable performance in this film, which is so much better than the television series it spawned. Howard was only 9 when he made this film, and I can't say that I have ever seen as wonderful a performance by a child of that age in any film.Glen Ford is superb as the father, recovering (as is Eddie) from his wife's (mother's) death. In fact, this may be Ford's most ingratiating role. Shirley Jones is equally as wonderful as the woman next door. Dina Merrill is fine as the stuffy country-club-type Eddie's father almost marries, but right from the first few minutes of the film, we all know he'll end up marrying Shirley Jones. Jerry VanDyke -- the more talented of the two brothers -- has a different role here...as a sort of playboy; he does it well. Stella Stevens' role as a ditsy but bright unattached woman is a distraction from the main story, but quite entertaining...particularly her drum solo.There's humor, some drama, and lots of sentimentality, but this strikes me as a film that is not too far from the reality of how a child would feel when his mother dies.Excellent family film, well worth watching. Perhaps the best of its genre.

The problem with this movie of the highly talented Minnelli is that it hesitates between comedy and drama.1.Comedy: there are two comic reliefs ;but they are neither original nor very funny.Stella Stevens 's part recalls a cross between Shirley MCLaine and Marilyn Monroe : that is to say how Wilder's shadow hangs over the movie;the scene when Stevens borrows the boy is a pale copy of Wilder's triumphs.You almost hear Marilyn say "Why are all these men always following me?"2.Drama: the scene of the fish,which is almost unbearable in this context, does not belong to the comedy at all :I wonder how Minnelli managed with his young actor for this very disturbing scene.The holiday camp scene ,on the other hand ,is routine drama.This is really pussyfooting.This is pleasant to watch,but definitely not among Minnelli's best.

charming comedy about a handsome widower whose precouious six-year-old son who vets all his potential dates. Glenn Ford is playing tom corbet very convincing and Shirley Jones is wonderful as elizabeth marten. this movie is smooth and wonderful. 8 of 10

I disagree that this movie is sexist at all. In fact, I believe that the character of Tom Corbett is quite different (in a good way) from the fathers of that time. I continue to find this movie extremely entertaining (while ertainly more "fluff" than depth) and nostalgic, due in most part to Ron Howard's superb and engaging performance. The parts where Eddie tells his dad at summer camp that he is in love, and the end of the movie, where Eddie is "practicing" with this dad on what to say to the neighbor to ask her out on a date, are absolutely priceless. Watching Ron Howard in this movie makes you realize why he was sought after as a child actor.