This week’s mystery movie was the 1941 RKO picture “Father Takes a Wife,” with Adolph Menjou, Gloria Swanson, John Howard, Desi Arnaz, Helen Broderick, Florence Rice, Neil Hamilton, Grady Sutton, George Meader, Mary Treen and Ruth Dietrich. The screenplay was by Dorothy and Herbert Fields, the musical director was Roy Webb, photography by Robert de Grasse, art direction by Van Nest Polglase and Albert d’Agostino, Miss Swanson’s gowns by Rene Hubert, other wardrobe by Edward Stevenson, set decoration by Darrell Silvera, jewelry designed by Laykin and Co., dialogue director Peter Godfrey. Produced by Lee Marcus and directed by Jack Hively.
This was Swanson’s first movie since she retired from the screen after making “Music in the Air” in 1934. Her next film was “Sunset Boulevard.”
“Father Takes a Wife” is available on a Region 2 DVD from Amazon.
Writing in the New York Times (Sept. 5, 1941), Bosley Crowther said:
It is doubtful if Gloria Swanson could have hit upon a more complimentary vehicle to end a seven-year absence from the screen than “Father Takes a Wife.” For scenarists Dorothy and Herbert Fields have provided the silent film queen with an amusing comedy which permits her to run the familiar gamut without ever taxing her capabilities as an actress…. “Father Takes a Wife” is the sort of thing which puts you in a good mood even though you realize that many of the situations are somewhat labored.
For Monday, we have a mystery gent.
Update: This is Cliff Bragdon.
For Tuesday, we have a mystery gent.
Update: This is Frank Reicher.
Brain Trust roll call: Thom, Lee Ann and Megan (Monday’s mystery guest – ps. you guys are really messing with my mind here).
For Wednesday, we have a mystery gent. His companion has been cropped out due to an utter lack of mysteriousness.
Update: This is Desi Arnaz in his second film.
Brain Trust roll call: B.J. Merholz (Tuesday’s mystery captain), Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Don Danard (Tuesday’s mystery captain), Shelia (Tuesday’s mystery captain), Megan, Lee Ann and Thom (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery captain), Mike Hawks (Tuesday’s mystery captain) and Sue Slutzky (Monday’s mystery gent and Tuesday’s mystery captain).
For Thursday, we have this mystery couple.
Update: This is Helen Broderick and Grant Withers.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (mystery movie and Monday’s and Tuesday’s mystery guests and half-credit on Wednesday’s mystery guest), B.J. Merholz (mystery movie and Wednesday’s mystery guest), Sue Slutzky (mystery movie, Wednesday’s mystery guest and Wednesday’s cropped-out guy due to lack of mysteriousness), Thom, Megan and Lee Ann (Wednesday’s mystery guest — you guys keep messing with my mind, but that’s OK) and Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery guest).
For Friday, our mystery guest is getting her hair done.
Update: This is Gloria Swanson.
And we also have…
Update: This is Grady Sutton.
And also….
Update: This is Adolphe Menjou.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (Thursday’s mystery guests), Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery guests), Don Danard (Thursday’s mystery gent), Gary (Thursday’s mystery woman), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and Monday’s Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests), Thom Megan and Lee Ann (Thursday’s mystery guests — very funny, you guys) and Sue Slutzky (Thursday’s mystery guests).
ladailymirror.com 
Tammany Young in STAGE MOTHER.
LikeLike
Interesting guess. But alas, I’m afraid not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Today’s guest is Cliff Bragdon who played Sebastian Lipke in The Saint in New York.
LikeLike
Matt McHugh.
LikeLike
A good guess! But alas, I’m afraid not.
LikeLike
I want to say Louie Anderson, but that can’t be right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not unless he had a time machine. 🙂
LikeLike
James Donlan.
LikeLike
Another excellent guess. But, alas, I’m afraid not.
LikeLike
Looks like the magnificent mug of Mickey Deems. Therefore, the film must be “The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”.
LikeLike
An interesting guess. But alas, I’m afraid not.
LikeLike
Frank Reicher
LikeLike
FATHER TAKES A WIFE.
Monday Cliff Bragdon
Tuesday: Frank Reicher
LikeLike
Tuesday’s Mystery Man is Frank Reicher.
LikeLike
Frank Reicher for Tuesday.
LikeLike
Is this Frank Reicher in “Father Takes a Wife”?
LikeLike
Frank Reicher.
LikeLike
Monday: Cliff Bragdon
LikeLike
Tuesday: Frank Reicher
LikeLike
FATHER TAKES A WIFE. Cliff Bragdon Monday, Frank Reicher yesterday, Jack Braggs and an unseen Desi Arnaz today.
LikeLike
Could that be Desi Arnaz in Father Takes a Wife?
LikeLike
Wednesday: Desi Arnaz (talking to Adolphe Menjou). The movie is “Father Takes A Wife.”
LikeLike
Desi’s got a lotta splainin to do!
LikeLike
John Howard.
LikeLike
No, it’s Desi Arnaz disguised!
LikeLike
Helen Broderick and Grant Withers.
LikeLike
Helen Broderick, Grant Withers.
LikeLike
Today, the man on the ladies left is Grant Withers.
LikeLike
Thursday: Helen Broderick and I wanna say Elliot Reid …but I am unsure of that.
LikeLike
Cliff Bragdon, Desi Arnaz, Helen Broderick, Grant Withers in FATHER TAKES A WIFE.
LikeLike
Charlotte Greenwood today? Normally she has one leg up in the air
LikeLike
Thursday’s guests are Broderick Crawford’s mother and Loretta Young’s first husband.
LikeLike
Thursday’s duo: Helen Broderick and Grant Withers.
LikeLike
Gloria Swanson in hiding, good old Grady Sutton, and Adolphe Menjou via still.
LikeLike
Florence Rice & Gloria Swanson; Grady Sutton; Adolphe Menjou.
LikeLike
Gloria Swanson, Grady Sutton & Adolph Menjou.
LikeLike
Grady Sutton today in Father Takes A Wife 1941. Gloria coming soon
LikeLike
Friday’s guests are: Gloria Swanson, Grady Sutton and Adolphe Menjou. Great cast!
LikeLike
Lacking confidence but is this “Father Takes a Wife”?
LikeLike
Clinton Sundberg leaving the room. Adolph Menjou wondering what’s going on.
LikeLike
I have to admit I’d never heard of Cliff Bragdon. I checked him in the IMDb and he had 3 credits.
I’m surprised anybody knew him!!!
LikeLike
The Brain Trust is amazing.
LikeLike