Father of the Bride

by Edward Streeter, Gluyas Williams (Illustrator)

Poor Mr. Banks! His jacket is too tight, he can't get a cocktail, and he's footing the bill....He's the father of the bride.

Stanley Banks is just your ordinary suburban dad. He's the kind of guy who believes that weddings are simple affairs in which two people get married. But when daddy's little girl announces her engagement to Buckley, Mr. Banks feels like his life has been turned upside down. And any man with a daughter can appreciate Mr. Banks's feelings.

Kay: Now, Pops, please. If we're going --

Mr. Banks: -- and what's his last name? I hope it's better than his first one.

Kay: Pops, I'm not going to sit here --

Mr. Banks: -- and where the hell does he come from -- and who does he think is going to support him? If it's me he's got another guess coming. And who in God's name --

To say the least, Mr. Banks isn't taking it well, and to make matters worse, he must host cocktail parties with the in-laws-to-be, initiate financial planning talks with Buckley, and moderate family conferences on who will be invited to the reception.

Who can blame him when he sinks so low as to offer Kay $1500 to elope?

But Mr. Banks holds his peace, and when the last wedding guest has departed from his confetti-matted house, he has his memories, and you have a merry record of his tribulations.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Classics, Comedy, Adult Fiction, Media Tie In, Literature

244 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Edward Streeter was an American novelist and journalist.

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

1) what is the relationship between postwar teenagery (cars, literacy, high school, discr income) and the now cliche impotence of the bride’s father?
2) how come Kay italicizes every other word she speaks!? How come we wanna so heavily police and openly mock the ways that women speak!?
3) Shwhym do people get married ......ever??? !!!!
4) despite All, this was qt and funny. I don’t get why they didn’t have a wedding cake, and I also was reminded that I don’t get why every American 50s food sounds disgusting and gummy (why did they want COLD sturgeon!?) but there were some painfully spot-on event planning quandaries + also doubled as a quick/convenient primer for what the expected etiquette is for weddings (are you supposed to know that if you’re an out-of-town guest with only tenuous ties to the bridal party that they only invited you for the credit and not because they really want you!? Notes for the future and I’m grateful because what a freakin faux pas that would be)

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This charming book, written by Edward Streeter in 1948, is a fair tonic for modern life. Crack it open and even the generous typeface and spacing makes you relax into your chair, the way you once did while reading as a youngster. Mr. Streeter tightly controls things-- the book is only 244 pages, and that includes sketched illustrations--and unfurls his amusing, literate, universally relatable tale of an adoring dad releasing his daughter out of the nest. We all know and love the story from the films starring Spencer Tracy (dialogue faithful to Streeter's book) and the remake with Steve Martin. All we need do is turn the pages, and enjoy, and wipe away a little tear or two. 3 1/2 stars

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very, very sweet, and really quite funny. Reminded me of Wodehouse, but without his bite.

It's also comforting to know that people have been stumbling blindly through wedding planning for a long time.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle mid-century humor. I could hear the voices of Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Billie Burke as I breezed this delightful story.

[Carla Remy]

From 1948
I liked this. It is funny. I loved the cocktail party scene. But there's only so much wedding planning I can find entertaining. Still, I kept the book, a recent hardcover reprint I found. Oh yeah, it is illustrated. I mostly ignored those.

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this on a whim because I love the movie. I'll stick to watching the movie.

[Danya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a pleasantly old-fashioned feel to it, conveyed by both the writing and the accompanying illustrations. I must admit I prefer the movie (what can I say, Steve Martin is hilarious), as I did not find the book nearly as funny; nevertheless, there were still occasional lines that tickled my funnybone and gave me a chuckle. The only character that truly gets fleshed-out is the titular one, Mr. Banks, the "father of the bride" -- the bride herself is an extremely flat, vague stereotype that I'm sure would drive me bonkers in real life, and her husband-to-be is sketched in even fainter lines. Perhaps this was intentional? Anyway, this results in the book being not remotely about the bride and groom's relationship, but instead solely about the actual process of putting on a wedding -- and how Mr. Banks feels about the whole thing. While the actual costs and perhaps some of the elements of a wedding are different nowadays compared to 50 years ago, the amount of work that goes into planning and carrying it out is undoubtedly still overwhelming! This book conveys that message in spades. At the end of it all, one can't help but think, "poor Mr. Banks." The narration so realistically portrays Mr. Banks's emotions throughout this process -- everything from dismay and resistance to bewilderment and resignation -- as he is carried along on a tide of wedding planning.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father of the Bride is one of my favorite movies, and at last I read the book. I was surprised how charming and amusing the writing is, though as a fan of the movie, the cartoons scattered throughout did not match my version of the Banks family. ;) At times it feels quite modern, but at other times it is definitely clear this was written in 1948. Lots and lots of fun overall.

[C.G.Koens · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another one (like "The Egg and I") that I didn't realize was a book before it was a movie (with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor). The original movie stuck pretty closely to the book, and the book had a couple of lines that made me laugh, but two stars because, much like "The Egg and I" I was disappointed in the language used. I had a mistaken idea that books of this era (1949) were more puritan in their cussing. Clearly not. If you've seen the movies, especially the 90s Steve Martin/Martin Short version, skip the book. You're not missing anything. Sadly.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun fast read

Well paced and constructed such that I felt for Mr. Banks in his comical mood swings as one of the biggest events in his life is about to come to pass. Light and fun. I'll also never get married.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect morning read: light and unserious. Breezy, even. Cracked me up several times.

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stop making everything about you, Mr. Banks. Except maybe getting to know your son-in-law. You should make that about you, but maybe not literally everything else.

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

The sequel to the movie based on this book is “Father's Little Dividend.” Yikes?

[wellreadtraveler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father of the Bride is one of my favorite movies. I can watch it over and over, along with the second movie Father of the Bride Part II. I love the actors and the characters they play, just a classic! I had no idea that in 1948 the story was written by Edward Streeter and was delighted to find this copy at a used book store. The illustration's in this book are adorable and made the story come alive. There are many details that changed from the original book to the movie, but I think the changes were needed to make the movie more modern day. If you love the movie I highly suggest you read the book for fun. I have always loved the house they filmed the movie at and one day I was telling my husband that I have seen the house used in several movies. Imagine my delight when he announced that this house is not only close to us, but down the street from a bookstore I visit monthly! I have been blocks away and never knew it was there! Next trip out to Pasadena and I was driving down the famous tree lined street George Banks took to get to his beautiful home. I couldn't stop smiling, there it was exactly like it appears in so many movies. The owners of the home have kept it in movie quality condition stating in several articles that they still get several visitors coming to take pictures. The famous shutters, the flower lined walkway, the white picket fence, full.on.nostalgia.

[Pontiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think what I liked best about this fun little novel is its old-fashioned setting. All the funny situations and foibles of Banks make this a light, fast read. I really like illustrations as well. The newer movie was similar, but different enough that I could judge it independently from the book.

Unlike so much comedic writing now, which is like reading a standup routine, this is more in the vein of PG Wodehouse, funny situations and interactions. A good sunny afternoon book.

[susan moore Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read! Well worth it! And I am happy to recommend that the 1950 movie version is faithful to the book!

[Kathy Everhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute….fun book! The writing is from a much more innocent time period. In some ways would be so nice to go back to these times!

[Mike Battaglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book in one sentence: The book sympathetically follows poor, every-man Stanley Banks as he reluctantly follows his daughter through the trials, tribulations, nightmares, and Murphy’s Law of planning his only daughter’s wedding to a man Mr. Banks barely knows, filled with warm, charming humor, and a surprisingly modern take on wedding dilemmas that make you forget the story takes place in the late 1940’s.

Opinion: This book was made into a movie twice, which should be enough said, but this is also a case where the book is far more enjoyable than any movie. The story centers around middle class lawyer Stanley Banks, who is easily one of the most charmingly grumpy heroes ever put to page. You can’t help but feel his pain as he struggles his way through the details of planning his only daughter’s wedding – everything from the horrors of trying to find affordable champagne that isn’t a complete embarrassment, to trying to wheedle the guest list down to a number that will actually fit inside of his home, to the enigmas of wedding dresses and wedding gifts that even today no man can fully grasp the comprehension of. The story doesn’t waste time in setting up Stanley’s decent into Bromo Seltzer madness, and even if you’ve never gone through the torture of planning a wedding, you cannot help but feel sympathy for this good-hearted man who just wants to drink his whiskey sours in peace and find some way that he can actually be useful. Obviously he fails in every regard, but that’s the whole fun of the story. Filled with humorous, exquisitely written commentaries and no small degree of wisdom regarding just about everything related to planning a wedding, this is one of those books you will be sorry to finish because it’s written so well and is so much fun to read.

[john lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spied this older book among the gleaming colorful spines of the books lining the shelves of the local library. This book's spine stood out, old black tape with careful white lettering, hand written. It stuck out like a sore thumb. I grabbed it.

It was published in 1948. The book is 76 years old, a remarkable age for a book. The pages are a faded cream color. This edition has drawings of various scenes from the book and they all look like something from a Noel Coward play. The man in suits, the women in dresses.

Of course, everyone has heard of this book or the movies based on the book. Probably a month ago I saw the first ten minutes of the first movie with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. I'll have to finish that movie after reading this book.

It is old fashion. The father is always called Mr. Banks or 'Pops' by his daughter. The story unfolds from Mr. Bank's perspective, his concerns for his daughter and the cost of the wedding. (Thank god he doesn't know what weddings cost today.) It is charming, old school, the tone of a somewhat wealthy family in Connecticut. Mr. Banks is a lawyer in the city.

Highlights
- Mr. Banks on his commuter train looking out the window... "The sun shone impartially on the alternating garbage dumps and suburban developments that flashed past the window."
- "A modern wedding is somewhat like a new theatrical production."
- The author mentions two places that seem to be wealthy enclaves: Sun Valley and Hobe Sound. Sun Valley is in California and it's spectacular. Hobe Sound is in Florida. I've been to Hobe Sound and the part I saw was definitely not wealthy.

This book is funny, it's a treat.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father of the Bride was published in the late 1940s and it shows. Written post WWII by an American “war correspondent, travel writer, and novelist” (Simon and Schuster version) Father of the Bride is filled with rather quaint humour and is refreshingly devoid of violence and strong language. The story, which has 231 pages padded out with full page illustrations by Gluyas Williams, rambles along at a gentle pace with occasional laugh-out-loud moments and, although it is an easy read, I felt the storyline becoming a little samey by the time I reached the 3/4 mark. Even so, it is one of those books which I actually read from start to finish and didn’t banish from my ever-growing library forever. It’s written in third person with the focus almost totally on Stan, his behaviour, his thoughts. It could easily have been written in first person, Stan’s viewpoint, but Streeter has a remarkable and original turn of phrase and it was the book’s narrator who was responsible for many of the wisecracks. For example, Stan is hosting a cocktail party at his home to announce his daughter’s engagement and he is making the drinks. He was under a lot of demands for drinks and the narrator said: "and for the next hour he worked like a dike mender." If you need a gentle, no-brainer novel injected with a delightful sense of humour, I recommend you pick this one up. You could glide through it in no time at all or saunter your way along, as I did, savouring every moment.

[William Leight · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5 stars really]

[revealing that this book ends with a wedding does not count as a spoiler]

“Father of the Bride” holds up better than you might expect. It is admittedly extremely WASPy, the most white-bread wedding you can imagine, except that, much to my surprise, there’s no cake. I thought a cake was de rigeur, but maybe not for WASPS in the late ‘40s? On the plus side, because the focus is, as the title says, on the father, Mr. Banks, there are fewer sexist jokes about women and weddings than there might be. And many of the jokes are still quite funny: the section about deciding who to invite, for instance, is a scream the whole way through. Towards the end, it gets kind of sentimental, but there’s a wedding, so that’s only to be expected. The book also gets a boost from the illustrations by Gluyas Williams, better known (to me, at least) as the guy who illustrated Robert Benchley. Apparently Williams only did illustrations for his old Harvard buddies: lucky for Streeter that he was one.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in the middle of a tear of reading the original books from movies I have loved, and this one not only fit the bill but I enjoyed it immensely!

Streeter has a wonderful way with humor. He made the character of Stanley Banks likable, mischievous and sympathetic. It was a briskly read that covered all aspects of the story very well. The vintage illustrations were absolutely charming and added to the whole experience.

It's a shame that Streeter did not write more novels but at least we have this one to cherish.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wholesome amusing read! All the poor dilemmas this Dad runs into while getting his daughter married off(and not wanting to give her up) are just hilarious! A smidgeon over-exaggerated but just plain humorous --- I was laughing so hard that I had tears running down my face. As I was reading I could picture Spencer Tracy in this spot and that spot along with Steve Martin! Every time I think of the book I’ll have smiles all over my face --- the book is hundred times better than either of the movies I have seen! A great humorous read!

[Susan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions! I enjoyed it not only because it is really funny, but also because it is so wonderfully reflective of American upper-middle-class society in the mid-twentieth century. It was a time when men were Men and ran the world, and women kept themselves very busy running their households. This is especially fascinating to me, as I was born as this world was beginning to fade away.

[Tashinka Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I love the movie Father of the Bride. I like the original version the one with Spencer Tracey and Elizabth Taylor. It's funny and a great book to read after you've finished something a little "heavy". Some of the stuff in the book are actually lines in the movie. If your looking for a little "light reading" or something to get you out of a reading slump this is the book for you.

[Zoey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining book, though quite different from what I expected. It’s more a series of funny wedding-related stories, all from the POV of the eponymous father of the bride, than a single overarching plot.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming read! You can see many of the movie with this book. The only thing lacking in this story was the emotional part of the Mr Banks loosing his little girl that the movie really emphasized. It touched a little on this but not as much as I would have liked. That is the premise of the book after all, the father of the bride dealing with a wedding and letting their little one go.

[Charburger · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun. A glimpse into American life in the 40s or 50s. Some of the language used was a bit cringe worthy, but shows the progress we have made. I kept hearing and seeing Steve Martin while I was reading it.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quiet a hoot. The father of the bride is a business man that is very tight with his money. His daughter wants an elaborate wedding. The mother sides with the daughter. This makes for a hillarious and thought provoking book. This is the perfect book for a cold, rainy winter day.

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple story appropriate for the 1940's. The movie apparently followed the book very closely but made it more modern and added the wedding planner, which I think was a good choice. I enjoy these wholesome stories that are decades old, though.