D. Ross Lederman directed the film, which starred John Litel as the disciplinarian father. Litel is easily recognizable to classic film audiences, appearing in many "A" and "B" pictures, usually as a district attorney or judge. He is probably best remembered for playing fathers in the Nancy Drew and Henry Aldrich film series. Broadway actress Frieda Inescort plays Litel's wife and Billy Dawson is the trouble-prone son. Also in the cast are former Little Rascals star Scotty Beckett and Sonny Bupp, who is most famous for playing Orson Welles' ill-fated son in Citizen Kane (1941).
Father's Son's rather somber story involves the complicated relationship between Bill Emory (Dawson) and his overly strict father, William (Litel). When Bill returns from military school for summer vacation, a series of events cause the relationship to deteriorate and Bill runs away, but is kidnapped by hobos who learn that his father is wealthy. Although the boy is rescued, his relationship with his father does not improve. When the mother decides to leave, taking Bill with her, the boy comes up with a plot to bring his parents back together.
With a running time of only 57 minutes, Father's Son was clearly meant as simply one of the myriad of "B" pictures churned out each year to fill movie theater programs. This fact was not lost on The New York Times reviewer known as "T.S." who castigated the film. "Even if it is based on a story by Booth Tarkington--hard to believe, but true--it is still one of the feeblest parables to which this corner has been subjected in this or any other season. Papa is a pompous dope, Billy is a screeching brat and mama is all sweetness and light, but they're all equally tiresome. Like father, like son, like movie. Take it away, Oedipus!"
Director: D. Ross Lederman
Screenplay: Fred Niblo, Jr.; Booth Tarkington (story)
Cinematography: Allen G. Siegler
Music: Howard Jackson
Film Editing: Frank Magee
Cast: John Litel (William Emory), Frieda Inescort (Ruth Emory), Billy Dawson (Bill Emory), Christian Rub (Lunk Nelson).
BW-57m.
by Lorraine LoBianco
SOURCES:
The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: 1931-40
T.S. "Father's Son, At the Palace" The New York Times 13 Feb 41
IMDB
