review for Adam Had Four Sons on AllMovie

Adam Had Four Sons is a pleasant, mildly diverting film, the predictability of which keeps it from being as effective as it might have been. Michael Blankfort and William Hurlbut's screenplay has an effective premise, but the characters and situations are not really fleshed out. The four sons of the title, in particular, are given no real character and are almost interchangeable, and the death of a major character and an economic crisis that forces a major change in the household doesn't have real impact. The audience is essentially told that these events were terrible, but the characters really don't change very much as a result of them. In addition, the film ends rather abruptly; one feels that the real story -- what happens to the family after Hester leaves -- is just starting. Adam does benefit from a certain warm glow, due primarily to its cast; Gregory Ratoff's direction is, for the most part, only competent and no more, but he must have also been partially responsible for this effectively homey aspect of the film. Emilie is not an especially challenging role, but Ingrid Bergman plays her with commitment and adds some depth and genuine feeling to the character. Warner Baxter is fine as Adam, Fay Wray is appealing as the mother, and Richard Denning and the other actors who portray the sons are all more than acceptable. But the standout is a young Susan Hayward, adding some much needed spice to the picture. Hester's a bit much as a character, but Hayward makes her an enjoyable little villainess.