The Bigamist (1953)

★★★★★ · A moral dilemma · LeoF · 2005-07-20

This is a profound and ultimately very sad movie. The American, Christian tradition has no room for legal polygamy. It is a bit trite to point out that the film was a generation or two ahead of the times. With Americas slugging it out today over same sex marriages and the legitimacy of, let us call it, cross species relationships, the idea of two wives seems pretty tame. The actual story is a heartbreaker and it is hard to actually say anyone is a villain. Yet none are entirely victims either. The logic that drives the unfolding of this moral dilemma is very powerful. People are after all…

★★★★★ · Very good. · Albert Schlef · 2010-11-02

Excellent. The acting is very good. I even shed a tear.

★★★★ · Profound Film · malary · 2009-03-08

I agree with LeoF; this movie is well ahead of its time. The actors are perfectly casted and terrific, and the subject matter is one that is often lefted untouched in the movie industry. I didn't know whether to feel sorry for or be angry with the bigamist (Harry) throughout this film. Near the end, I felt more pity than anger for him. It's true, we all are human and are prone to make mistakes during life. It was nice to see the man who played Santa in 'Miracle on 34th Street' (I think his name is Edmund Glenn?). I liked how that mentioned that role within this film during the bus scene. This…

★★★★ · The Bigamist · spamhamm24 · 2009-12-09

As for the film, it is wonderful. Ida Lupino, or "the poor man's Bette Davis" as she called herself, expertly handles a talented cast. As for LeoF's suggestion that there is nothing morally wrong with polygamy I do not agree. I have no problem with same-sex relationships, but if polygamy is legalized in a few years people will be allowed to marry their dogs. I am sick of people turning the blogs about films like John Wayne's "Angel and the Badman" into political discussions. If you want to talk government, go to some other blog. This is the Internet Archives. It's for MOVIES!!!!!

★★★★ · corny · billcale · 2010-12-23

Corny melodrama but all in all worth a watch, hard to feel sorry for this sad sap.

★★★★ · THE ANCIENT GREEKS HAD A WORD... · USArealestate.mobi · 2024-02-06

..for those who did not believe in, nor took and interest in Politics, and that word was 'idiot'. Politics infuses EVERYTHING, and especially Art. For those 'idiots' with their heads in the sand, who believe Movies and Politics shouldn't, or don't, mix, well, you haven't been paying attention to Cinema history have you. Chaplin, the Hays Code, Frank Capra, Goebbels, HUAC, The Hollywood Ten, Spartacus, etc. etc. If you don't understand the above paragraph, then you're part of the problem - and doomed to be ruled over by evil men.