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Sitting Pretty (1948 film)

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Director
  
Music director
  
Alfred Newman

Language
  
English

7.6/10
IMDb

Genre
  
Comedy

Duration
  

Sitting Pretty (1948 film) movie poster

Release date
  
March 10, 1948 (1948-03-10)

Based on
  
Belvedere1947 novel by Gwen Davenport

Writer
  
F. Hugh Herbert (screen play), Gwen Davenport (novel)

Film series
  
Sitting Pretty Film Series

Cast
  
(Lynn Belvedere), (Harry King), (Tacey King), (Mr. Clarence Appleton), (Edna Philby), (Peggy)

Similar movies
  
St. Vincent
,
Dennis the Menace
,
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
,
Babysitters Beware
,
Twin Sitters
,
Searching for Santa!

Tagline
  
NEVER WAS A BABY-SITTER LIKE THIS!

Sitting Pretty is a 1948 American comedy film which tells the story of a family who hires a man, Lynn Belvedere, with a mysterious past to babysit their children. It stars Robert Young, Maureen O'Hara and Clifton Webb. The movie was adapted by F. Hugh Herbert from the comic novel Belvedere (1947) by Gwen Davenport. It was directed by Walter Lang.

Contents

Sitting Pretty (1948 film) movie scenes

The character of Belvedere proved so popular, Webb reprised his role in two more movies: Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949) and Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (1951).

Sitting Pretty (1948 film) movie scenes

Marilyn monroe rare photo collection visiting the movie set of sitting pretty in january 1948


Plot

Sitting Pretty (1948 film) wwwgstaticcomtvthumbdvdboxart1690p1690dv8

Lawyer Harry (Robert Young) and his wife Tacey King (Maureen O'Hara) have trouble retaining a nanny for their three young rambunctious boys. When the latest in a string of servants quits, Tacey advertises and hires Lynn Belvedere sight unseen, only to find out that Lynn is a dapper older man (Clifton Webb), one with many skills and achievements. Despite their misgivings (and Belvedere's declaration that he detests children), the Kings reluctantly agree to a trial period. Belvedere quickly wins over the kids, although his superior attitude annoys Harry.

Sitting Pretty (1948 film) Sitting Pretty 1948 film Wikipedia

When Harry has to go away on a business trip, Tacey agrees to take the baby and sleep over each night at the home of their friends, fellow lawyer Bill Philby (John Russell) and his wife Edna (Louise Allbritton), just to squelch any possibility of scandal in their suburban community of Hummingbird Hill. Late that night, however, one of the boys becomes sick. Tacey rushes over. It turns out to be just a stomach ache, but nosy neighbor Clarence Appleton (Richard Haydn) notices the lights on and comes over to investigate. He starts spreading scandalous rumors linking Belvedere and Tacey romantically. The gossip eventually reaches Horatio J. Hammond (Ed Begley), Harry's boss. When Harry returns triumphant from his trip, Hammond tells him that Tacey is endangering the law firm's reputation. Though Harry does not believe the stories, he still thinks it would be best if Belvedere found other employment, but is persuaded by his wife and children to change his mind.

Sitting Pretty (1948 film) Sitting Pretty 1948 film Alchetron the free social encyclopedia

Later, Tacey and Edna attend a night lecture. Afterward, they go for a snack in a fancy restaurant. There they encounter Belvedere on his day off. Belvedere invites Tacey to dance. They are spotted dancing cheek to cheek by Appleton and his equally inquisitive mother, and the malicious rumors start up again. This time, Harry is not so understanding. Insulted, Tacey quarrels with him and leaves for her parents.

Sitting Pretty (1948 film) Sitting Pretty 1948 MUBI

Then, Belvedere's novel (described as "A Screaming Satire on suburban manners and morals") is published and becomes a national bestseller. It contains thinly veiled accounts of the unseemly behavior of Hummingbird Hill's residents, upsetting everyone. Tacey rushes home and is reconciled with her husband. Hammond fires Harry, and Bill too when he comes to defense of his friend. He decides to sue Belvedere, who is pleased, as he expects the action to increase already skyrocketing sales of his book. He hires Harry and Bill to defend him, then reveals the source of much of his information: Appleton. The informant flees, with Hammond and others in hot pursuit. Despite his new fame, Belvedere agrees to keep his job, as the novel is only the first volume of a trilogy.

Cast

Sitting Pretty (1948 film) CursumPerficio

  • Robert Young as Harry King
  • Maureen O'Hara as Tacey King
  • Clifton Webb as Lynn Belvedere
  • John Russell as Bill Philby
  • Louise Allbritton as Edna Philby
  • Randy Stuart as Peggy
  • Ed Begley as Horatio J. Hammond
  • Larry Olsen as Larry King
  • Anthony Sydes as Tony King
  • Richard Haydn as Clarence Appleton
  • Willard Robertson as Mr. Ashcroft
  • Betty Lynn as Ginger
  • Production

    Sitting Pretty (1948 film) Sitting Pretty 1948 DVD Robert Young Clifton Webb

    Photographer Loomis Dean visited the set to photograph the filming for Life magazine and photographed Webb together with then still unknown actresses Laurette Luez and Marilyn Monroe, who do not appear in the film.

    Sitting Pretty (1948 film) Sitting Pretty 1948

    This is one of few films Webb made where he dances. Prior to 1944, he was an accomplished Broadway star, known for his dancing, singing and comedy.

    Reception

    Bosley Crowther wrote in his New York Times review that while "The screen plays from Mr. Herbert are not conspicuous for their tax upon the brain", "Light in substance but solid in humor, this material is handled dexterously by all who come anywhere near it—and especially, as we say, by Mr. Webb." He also found Maureen O'Hara and Robert Young "delightfully clever".

    Awards

    Sitting Pretty (1948 film) Sitting Pretty Clip YouTube

  • Clifton Webb was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the role of Lynn Belvedere from the 1949 Academy Awards.
  • F. Hugh Herbert won the Writers Guild of America, Best Written American Comedy in 1949.
  • The movie won a Gold Medal at the Photoplay Awards 1948.
  • Adaptions

    A radio adaptation was presented by Lux Radio Theater on February 14, 1949. The film also inspired a television series, Mr. Belvedere, starring Christopher Hewett, which first aired in 1985.

    Governante rubacuori mr belvedere sitting pretty film completo italiano


    References

    Sitting Pretty (1948 film) Wikipedia
    Sitting Pretty (1948 film) IMDb Sitting Pretty (1948 film) themoviedb.org