IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
A governess becomes the center of a wealthy family after her employer's wife dies.A governess becomes the center of a wealthy family after her employer's wife dies.A governess becomes the center of a wealthy family after her employer's wife dies.
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIngrid Bergman, making only her second American film, was borrowed from David O. Selznick Productions to appear in the film. Director Gregory Ratoff also directed Bergman's first American film, a Selznick picture entitled Intermezzo (1939). Writing about Adam Had Four Sons in her autobiography, Bergman said, "At last something my teeth could bite into, but it was not such a good apple. We had a script to work with but the dialogue was made up minute by minute as we went along, and they had no idea how to end the picture. Ruth Roberts [her dialogue coach] was an enormous help, and great affection for the crazy Gregory Ratoff, so it all left a very pleasant souvenir."
- GoofsEmilie returns to the U.S.A from France on a British cruise ship during WWI. Due to the danger posed by German U-boats, especially after the sinking of the Lusitania, cruise ships passages in the Atlantic were ceased until the war's end.
- Quotes
Hester Stoddard: What are we drinking for - to stay sober?
- Crazy creditsThe movie begins when a photograph in the opening credits comes to life.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Break-Up Artist (2009)
Featured review
Ingrid plays a strong governess
Warner Baxter plays Adam, and he has four sons: Richard Denning, Johnny Downs, Robert Shaw, and Charles Lind. He's in charge of a grand estate, but when his wife dies and his fortune is wiped out, he has to scramble to be able to afford his lifestyle again. Ingrid Bergman plays the governess who helps him pick up the pieces of his struggling family. When the boys grow up, some marry and some enlist in WWI-what will happen to the family dynamic?
If you like movies about governesses sent in to take care of a brood of children, you'll probably like this one. It's got all the elements: struggles with the children, eventual acceptance and bonding, a little romance with the father, and family tensions when the children grow up. Ingrid is always very good when playing someone strong, so if you're a fan, you won't be disappointed in her performance in Adam Had Four Sons. Even though the title features Warner Baxter's name, it's Ingrid who's the star of the show. She may be only the governess, but she's the glue that keeps everyone together. And keep on the lookout for a young Susan Hayward in one of her first major roles. She's beautiful and cunning, and it's amazing that she wasn't forever typecast as a villain after a movie like this!
If you like movies about governesses sent in to take care of a brood of children, you'll probably like this one. It's got all the elements: struggles with the children, eventual acceptance and bonding, a little romance with the father, and family tensions when the children grow up. Ingrid is always very good when playing someone strong, so if you're a fan, you won't be disappointed in her performance in Adam Had Four Sons. Even though the title features Warner Baxter's name, it's Ingrid who's the star of the show. She may be only the governess, but she's the glue that keeps everyone together. And keep on the lookout for a young Susan Hayward in one of her first major roles. She's beautiful and cunning, and it's amazing that she wasn't forever typecast as a villain after a movie like this!
helpful•30
- HotToastyRag
- Jul 23, 2018
- How long is Adam Had Four Sons?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Legacy
- Filming locations
- Palms Railway Station, Palms, California, USA(Opening train station scene, as Stoneville.)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $488,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 21 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content