Cheaper By the DozenCheaper By the Dozen
This colorful depiction of life in a family of 12 children stars Clifton Webb as Frank Bunker Gilbreth, an eccentric father who prides himself on some truly unorthodox child-rearing methods. Based on the bestseller by two children of the real Mr. Gilbreth, this charming film co-starring Myrna Loy is “alive with big laughs” (Los Angeles Times). Narrated by the oldest daughter (Jeanne Crain), the story follows a series of family crises over the years: from how the children over-whelmed their new school’s administration office, to the time they threw a hospital into chaos when they arrived for a mass tonsillectomy. There’s even a memorable encounter with a birth control advocate. Simultaneously hilarious and sentimental, “Cheaper by the Dozen is a family comedy in the truest sense.Though it’s impossible to gauge just how much of it is true, this endearing family comedy (based on the book by their children Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey) is inspired by the true story of the husband-and-wife efficiency experts Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and their adventures raising 12 kids at the turn of the century. Director Walter Lang takes a loping pace through the episodes of family life: the kids descend upon the new school in force while Dad (fussy Clifton Webb) offers his unsolicited views on education; Dad takes his oldest daughter (wholesome Jeanne Crain) to the school dance and becomes the hit of the ball; a mass tonsillectomy becomes an opportunity to document the ordeal as an experiment in efficiency. Myrna Loy almost steals the film in her one standout scene, holding back a smirk while a birth-control advocate (played by Mildred Natwick) solicits this mother of 12 to speak at a rally, but her martini-dry comic deadpan is criminally underused in this picture, which is dominated by Webb’s stern, military-like parenting and Crain’s adolescent crises. Though this sometimes overly sentimental classic never builds to any real dramatic plateau or comic highlights, it maintains an even tone of good humor and warmth throughout, capturing a bygone era through the travails of a loving family. A charming sequel, Belles on Their Toes, followed two years later. –Sean Axmaker
Rating:  List Price: $ 14.98 Price: $ 4.99 |
(out of 64 reviews)
Review by Anyechka for Cheaper By the Dozen
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Unlike the supposed remake put out at the end of 2003, this original movie adaptation of the book actually has heart, is entertaining without resorting to cheap shots or gross-out humour, and is overwhelmingly true to the spirit of the book. It might take awhile for the average modern viewer to get into it, though, since there really isn’t much of a plot, not the way we’ve come to expect in modern movies, just a narration of various adventures the family had. This is by far one of the best and most honest screen adaptations of a book I’ve yet seen, right up there with ‘Gone with the Wind’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’ However, screen adaptations of books being what they have to be due to time and money constraints, they naturally couldn’t fit everything in, and so had to cut and paste some events from the book together so they wouldn’t completely overlook the important stuff (and unlike many cut and paste jobs in other book-based movies, here it was done very tastefully instead of randomly and carelessly), and they did leave out a number of the funniest stories in the book, like Bill pushing the Chinese cook into the oven and the so-called interviews which ran in the paper, much to the family’s horror that a lot of the things they supposedly said and did were made up to embarrass them. They also got the birth order of the last two mixed up; Jane was the last-born child in real life, and Bob was the penultimate. Still, given what passes for entertainment nowadays and how movies based on books usually bear little or no coherent resemblance to the story which the viewers know and love, this is a very clean and fun family movie.
Review by Chris for Cheaper By the Dozen
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I couldn’t belive it when I head that Cheaper By The Dozen was coming to DVD. And Also THe Rare Sequel Belles On THeir Toes. I pre-ordered both of them yesterday. I have always loved both of the films and they are finally coming out on DVD.Cheaper By The Dozen Is About The Gilbreth Family who have 12 kids (how unbeliveable) and their adventures. Clifton Webb was excellent as the father. In the sequel Belles On Their toes Clifton Webb is an angel who looks down on his family when they are having all of their problems. Cheaper By The Dozen also stars 2 of the greatest actoresses ever Myrna Loy, and Jeanne Crain. For years these 2 films have been out of print and hard to find. And finally 20th Century Fox is putting them out on DVD. I highly suggest these movies to anyone who wants to get some good clean family entertainment for their kids.
Review by S. Nunes-ranchy for Cheaper By the Dozen
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I was one who hounded the powers-that-be that this movie (that pre-dates ME by a good 23 years!) be released on DVD. I was thrilled when I received notice that it was being released and I just received it today (funny since I just happened to catch it on TV two days ago!). It’s a timeless classic with a fantastic (and woman-empowering)plot based on a true story. I still can’t imagine how they managed with 12 children but it gives me the courage to deal with my two (who sometimes make the mess of 12!). A great story for homeschoolers too- the importance of education could not be more delightfully presented.I was worried that the quality of the DVD might not be up-to-snuff but it was great (unlike the other classic-movie DVD I just purchased, Life with Father, another favorite movie but the quality is quite poor).By the way, I haven’t seen the Steve Martin adaptation of Cheaper by the dozen but I’ve heard/ read that the storylines have close to nothing (other than 12 children) in common. Instead, invest in this classic and you’ll be very pleased.If I could give it more stars, I would!!
Review by jeanette chisholm for Cheaper By the Dozen
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I really loved this movie and have searched everywhere for a copy of it. The Gilbreth family is full of fun and comedy for all to enjoy. 12 children is quite a handful for most but they seem to handle it with complete control and lots of love. I think Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy were ideal for the parents, the father most of all was the attention getter with all of his ideals and his decisions on how to get the best out of his children. Each child had their duties in the family and all of the movie was put together with laughter, personal situations and well rounded discipline. When Dad went to the prom with his daughter and her date, I was reminded of how my Dad was when I was dating and how mortified I was at the time, but just like her Dad, she was made to feel very proud that he cared so much and was old-fashioned as Fathers should be. It brought back a lot of loving memories for me with my Dad. It had an unexpected ending that was disappointing but then thats life. When are they going to make the sequel “Belles on Their Toes”? It was equally good and I would like to have it also.
Review by for Cheaper By the Dozen
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I have watched this movie several times a year since I was 8 or 9 years old, and love it just as much now as I did when I first saw it. As movies go this has no major outstanding qualities – but you fall in love with it. It is America; a pleasant though not idealized story of an American family. The characters are pretty realistic and the family is charming. It is a good solid slice of Americana. Don’t think of this as just a movie for kids, it is a movie for all ages – we all are part of a family!