User reviews

As the self-proclaimed genius, Mr. Belvedere, CLIFTON WEBB delivers every line of dialog with such crisp authority that you believe he IS the eccentric character who volunteers his services as a live-in babysitter for ROBERT YOUNG and MAUREEN O'HARA and their unruly brood.

Webb simply steals every scene with skillful ease, except when RICHARD HAYDN enters the film as a snobbish, adenoidal neighbor who is another kind of genius at snooping. Before you know it, Belvedere has all of these citizens under his thumb, exposing the hypocrisy of small-town gossip in his novel, much the way Grace Metalious did when she pried open the lid of PEYTON PLACE.

It's all for laughs and never fails to delight. This is the film that really established Webb's long career at Fox in roles that seemed tailor-made for his kind of pompous charm.

For a 1948 film dealing with the dawning era of suburbia, a concept that hadn't even existed 10 years earlier, this little charmer holds up remarkably well. The reason is Clifton Webb, who steals every scene he is in. And he's in just about every scene. This was Webb's first appearance as the fastidious Mr. Belvedere, an odd duck with a genius IQ -- and a hidden agenda. Here. he becomes a live-in babysitter for a suburban couple (Young and O'Hara) and their three boys. The one weak spot in the plot is that the three boys seem perfectly normal, but O'Hara apparently can't handle them. Much hilarity ensues once Mr. Belvedere arrives on the premises. In his off time, Mr. Belvedere is up to something in his attic room, but Young and O'Hara are hard-pressed to figure out what. A nosy neighbor (Haydn) causes no end of mischief, convinced that there must be hanky panky going on. The ending feels a bit rushed and the movie at times resembles a stage play more than a movie, but everything comes out just fine. And we finally find out Mr. Belvedere's secret. But you will have to watch the movie to find out what that secret is. A delight.

Robert Young and Maureen O'Hara as Harry & Tacey King were the headliners in this film but a man named Lynn Belvedere (Clifton Webb) stole the show. It was perfectly logical that Mr. Belvedere would take control of the film, he is a genius. What one thing has Belvedere not done, write a book of course! But what type of book and where will the information be collected from? How about a little town of gossips that will make a satire of a town a masterpiece of writing? But how can a genius be among them and not be discovered? The King family have terrible children that no human can control. They need a maid and live-in babysitter, whom better than a person that understands children's psychology yet hates children. Mr. Belvedere soon is hired and has the whole family under his control. A man that has the children chew their food 28 times, not 20 or 24 but 28 times. A dog trainer that has the huge mountain of a dog controlled. A man that can tell the adults in the household just how childish they can behave. When the family almost breaks up can Mr. Belvedere save the family? This is a classic which will live on in movie history.

Mr.Belvedere was the vehicle, by which, I "discovered" Clifton Webb. Played to perfection (Mr.Belvedere is the definition of perfection) by Webb, he has ruined the chance for anyone to improve, or even approach, his performance. (As, for example, the weak effort to duplicate Mr. Belvedere, on the TV sitcom of the same name. The TV show may even be reason someone might stay away from this movie. Don't make that mistake.) Clifton Webb IS the "show". I can't think of anyone who has the "confidence" to carry off being the know-it-all who can/did teach the experts. A great comedic performance, like this, is an extra special surprise when coming from such an unexpected source. The usually "starched", serious actor is hilarious. The 2 sequels, Mr.Belvedere Goes to College, and Mr.Belvedere Rings the Bell, are also very good. In fact, excellent as sequels go....

Suggested movies for Clifton Webb fans..."Laura"..."Stars and Stripes Forever..."Three Coins in the Fountain"...They span his long career, show you his range, and will most definitely entertain you..........

This was one of the most popular movies of 1948, and is still sweetly amusing. What impresses me on this latest viewing is how well actor Webb and screenwriter Herbert carry off their trick. The challenge is to keep the audience from reaching through the screen to throttle the stuffy, know-it-all, Belvedere (Webb). In short, a dislikable Belvedere would ruin the movie. So how do you, on one hand, establish his needed superiority, and, on the other, not let it ruin the comedy. After all, it's his unusual character that distinguishes the story as a whole.

As I see it, Webb and the dialog handle the challenge by making Belvedere a strictly matter-of-fact character. He says he's a genius, because as a matter of fact, he is. Crucially, he's not bragging— that would make him dislikable. Instead, he asserts his superiority much like a scientist might impartially acknowledge a fact. He's not egotistical about his accomplishments; instead, he's kind of like an impartial observer of himself. This doesn't exactly make him likable, but it does save the movie's pivotal character from being dislikable, at least as I see it. And I think it's a credit to the screenplay that they don't soften his unsociable character to maybe please the audience. All in all, I think Belvedere is a rather daring role for a comedy of its time.

Of course, it helps to have two of the screen's more likable younger actors, Young and O'Hara, as co-stars with Webb. Plus, having a fuss-budget like Haydn (the gossipy Appleton) in the same film as fuss-budget Webb sets up certain delectable possibilities. Then too, setting events in the white-collar suburbs mirrored post-war changes going on with audiences that were also getting back to family life following years of hardship and sacrifice. So, to me, it's not surprising the movie was such a hit in its day. And happily, I think it's still pretty amusing.

What a darling movie! Maureen O'Hara and Robert Young play a happily married couple, and if the number of times they kiss each other when it has nothing to do with their scenes is any indication, they're very happily married. But, Maureen is feeling a bit run down trying to get a handle on their three young sons, so she places an ad for a live-in nanny. Someone named Lynn Belvedere answers the ad, so Maureen and Robert think a woman is coming to live with them. Imagine their surprise when Clifton Webb knocks on the door!

Clifton is so incredibly darling in this movie, which was so successful it spawned a sequel and a television series, both of which I'm interested in renting. He plays an accomplished, self-described genius, and even though another actor might have played Mr. Belvedere as smug or irritating, Clifton just treats his perfection as a fact. Once you watch this movie, you'll want to take him home to your family, I guarantee it.

Sitting Pretty should have stuck to its original title, Mr. Belvedere, but otherwise it's a very cute movie. It's funny, romantic, sweet, and lighthearted, a perfect rental when you've had enough drama in real life and want an escape from a movie.

Absolutely delightful and entertaining film about family life, character and values. The effects are somewhere along the lines of the Andy Hardy films, but with a different plot and characters. Clifton Webb was made for his part. A great actor. One of those types of people that you would want to have dinner with and talk about intellectual things over a good bottle of wine.

Sitting Pretty (1948) : Brief Review -

Never in my life has any intellectual or eccentric character made me laugh so hard. A wide-ranging comedy about a prickly genius character. I call myself an intellectual when it comes to watching films, and here I found a character whom I can call the father of intellectuals-Mr. Lynn Belvedere. Holy smoke, what an intelligent comedy it is. We just have to sit on a pretty day and enjoy this babysitter's comedy, and believe me, he'll make you look ugly in front of his genius. The film is about Mr. & Mrs. King and their family, who hire a live-in babysitter. Naturally, it's a female job, but a male candidate walks in. They are all surprised when he turns out to be a genius, a man who can do anything. He can babysit, he can be strict, he does yoga, he is a mechanic, he is a dancer, he can cook, he is a locksmith, he is a doctor, he is a professor, and he is an author too. Wait, I think I missed something. He was so many things, so I was entitled to miss a few things. Now tell me, have you seen such a character in any film? And did that film entertain you this much? Let me guess, it was Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Bollywood Masterpiece 'Bawarchi' (1972) that had the same character. I think that came from here. Bawarchi is a much better film, though. No arguments on that. But this film was so delightful. The eccentric character, his wit, smartness.. oh God, how can it be possible even in a humanly possible fictional world? Clifton Webb was a perfect cast by all means. His dialogue delivery, attitude, walk, personality, everything leaves an impact on you. Maureen looks gorgeous, as she always looked in the entire 40s, and Robert Young makes a good sounding husband. Walter Lang's comedy has everything you want. It just misses a quick start, but once Belvedere arrives, it's a non-stop riot. Overall, a classic piece of genius comedy. Strongly recommended for smarties who understand quality fun.

RATING - 7.5/10*

This is one of my favourite comedies. I have seen this movie countless times and always manage to laugh myself to tears. Can you imagine meeting someone like Belvedere who seems to have done every job imaginable? I think all the cast did a wonderful job in this movie and I only wish that the movies of today were like this one. No swearing, car chases just plain old fashioned fun. I am sure that there are towns in the world that have neighbourhoods like Hummingbird Hill with nosy neighbours who watch your every move. My husband and I are also wondering when are they going to put this movie out on DVD? They seem to pass over these Classics for some reason which is such a shame.

With Sitting Pretty, Clifton Webb created his most enduring film character, the aesthetic and acid tongue, self-styled genius, Mr. Lynn Belvedere. He enters the lives of the King family by answering an advertisement Maureen O'Hara puts in a paper about needing a live-in baby sitter.

Never assume folks, Maureen doesn't specify the gender of whom she seeks and with that first name of Mr. Belvedere she and husband Robert Young assume they've got themselves a female.

Belvedere moves in and he's quite the character. I'm not sure there's a subject or a field he's not well versed in and he's not above letting one know it. Thanks to a fussy busybody neighbor, Richard Haydn, Webb and O'Hara become the focal point of a lot of neighborhood gossip.

Clifton Webb never had any luck with his three Oscar nominations. In 1944 for Laura he lost to Barry Fitzgerald in Going My Way. In 1946 in The Razor's Edge he lost to Harold Russell in The Best Years of Our Lives. Those two were for Best Supporting Actor, but in 1948 he was nominated for Best Actor and this time lost to the greatest actor of his generation playing arguably the greatest acting role ever, Laurence Olivier as Hamlet.

Robert Young as O'Hara's husband is not generally commented on, but I've always had the sneaking suspicion that some astute casting directors saw Young in this film and decided he'd be perfect as THE television suburban all American father when it came time to casting Father Knows Best.

For some reason Maureen O'Hara gave this film a fast mention in her recent memoirs and didn't discuss it at all. I'm not sure why, she certainly did well enough in it.

Richard Haydn is also not commented on too much, mainly because he was playing a very typical Richard Haydn part. Clifton Webb of course was the cinema's closest thing for almost 20 years to an out gay actor and I'm sure Mr. Belvedere if done today would be more explicitly gay. So would that first meeting of Haydn and Webb where today it would be shown for exactly what it is, Haydn trying to pick up Webb and Webb turning the prospect down cold.

Almost sixty years later, Sitting Pretty has not lost a bit of its entertainment value. Clifton Webb's Mr. Belevedere is an enduring cinema legend. I only wish the two succeeding Belvedere films were shown. I've never seen either of them as of today and don't ever even recall them being broadcast.

Harry (Robert Young) and Tacey King (Maureen O'Hara) have three kids and a dog in the suburbs. Their nanny has have enough and walks out on them. In desperation, they call up 16 year old Ginger despite her crush on Harry. They return home to find babysitter Ginger and her friends throwing a dance party. Tacey decides to place an ad and Lynn Belvedere (Clifton Webb) answers. Tracey is shocked to find an older strange gentleman who claims to be a genius at her door.

OMG. This is where the TV show comes from. First, it's light weight. Then, it gets weird. From yoga on, it gets funny. The comedy is fairly sitcom-ish which is fitting for its later iteration. It mostly boils down to somebody getting frustrated with Belvedere's strange mannerisms. This does introduce Belvedere which is a fun safe character to skewer the white bread suburbs. All in all, it's an easy comedy with an intriguing fish out of water character.

A very pleasant, agreeable little effort, dominated by the magnificent Clifton Webb - as sanguine and savourably sour a figure as rarely seen in Hollywood...

His character, Lynn Belvedere, is absolutely wonderful; wry, serene, roundly honest and arrogant; he is the focal point of the majority of the humour. The other actors are fine, with Maureen O'Hara, Richard Haydn and Robert Young more than capable supports. Yet... Belvedere's superiority is never in question: when asked at *what* he works, he simply and unequivocally states, "I am a genius".

Says it all really! There are so many witty one-liners, and amusing touches in comparison to many modern films on the same themes of babysitting and American suburbia. This is one of the most enjoyable films of its era; propelled to lofty heights by Clifton Webb's indomitable prescence. A touch of waspish, queer old England thrust into the picket-fence garden of American suburbia.

This movie is hilarious! I don't think I stopped laughing the entire time. Everything about it is cute and funny, with the perfect counterbalance of wit and sophistication. Robert Young is in handsome lighthearted form, and the children are of course adorable and winsome - especially Roddy, who wails at the slightest provocation. It has everything! The more I watch it, the more humorous subplots emerge. My favorite scenes are when the nosy neighbors spread rumors of Lynn and Tacey's sordid affair, and she says at the lounge as they pass by, "Let's give them something to gossip about!", and proceeds to jitterbug with him. And when Mr Belvedere exposes the hypocrisy of the townspeople: Priceless. I'm so pleased with Ms O'Hara's versatility when you think about the vastly contrasting films in their genres, themes and moods that she made around the same time within the space of a few years, how they display her dynamism and acting genius with her outstandingly unique ubiquitous great theatrical stage presence that translates well to the screen which is so rare and difficult a feat to accomplish. She appears equally at home with deep brooding roles as she does the urbane comedic together-woman. This is definitely one of her best!

Robert Young and Maureen O'Hara play a couple in need of a live-in babysitter and maid. They have three children and a huge dog who are more than a handful. Lynn Belvedere is the name of the person who responds to their ad. They are surprised when Lynn turns out to be a man. Dubious of his abilities, they hire him despite the fact he dislikes children.

This is the comic situation at the heart of "Sitting Pretty", starring Clifton Webb as Mr. Belvedere. It is the perfect role for Webb---a larger than life character who mirrors some of his own personality traits.

The story relies less on being heartwarming than on being comical. Much of the humor derives from the juxtaposition of the self-assured, irascible Mr. Belvedere with the nosey common folk who populate the neighborhood and the town. Also, the three children play their roles perfectly.

It is easy to see why they made sequels to this film.

Clifton Webb became a major star for a while on account of this film, in which he plays an eccentric genius who comes to live in the house of a young couple as a kind of general purpose servant-maid-tutor-savant-philosopher-critic. There was no end, it seems, to what Mr. Belvedere could do, and do extremely well. Walter Lang directs this pleasant picture with much skill, if not inspiration, and as Webb's employers, Robert Young and Maureen O'Hara make an attractive couple.

Webb was a strange case. A huge star on the stage, his film career lasted less than twenty years. He was well into middle age when he started making movies, and at first he tended to play snobs and supercilious characters in general, starting with Laura, in 1944. Till Sitting Pretty came along he had appeared only in dramatic films, usually as a villain. Overnight, it seems, he was transformed, from upper class bad guy to loveable eccentric, and for a number of years he became a quite popular and unlikely star of often nostalgic films. Along with Charles Coburn, he was one of the last true Victorians of the movies, and as such a reminder of a more formal but also more individualistic time during in the postwar years. Sitting Pretty is an excellent showcase for Mr. Webb's unique brand of humor, as he managed to be superior and priggish but never mean-spirited.

Clifton Webb is very droll as the self-described genius who tames a suburban household of kids. And one dog. He is the central figure, but the rest of the cast is very good as well: Richard Hayden is a nosy neighbor is amusing -- though is there a bit of snickering toward his character in the screenplay? Not his gossiping but his -- well, less than masculine behavior and interests? Toward Webb's character, there is none.

It's a pleasure to see Maureen O'Hara in movies other than the John Wayne stuff for which she is best known. She was a lovely woman and a highly appealing actress. Robert Young is OK as his husband, a rather dimwitted sort for a lawyer.

I can't imagine anyone disliking this. It is funny and well crafted. In some ways, the dreadful children and horticulturally inclined neighbor are a comic flip-flop on film noir of its day: Come home from the WAR; do your best - And this is what you have to put up with. (Though O'Hara is certainly an engaging Penelope-figure.)

Oppressive suburbs, dreadful kids, impossible dog and shallow parents make this more sociology than comedy. I like it. Difficult to judge from 70 years on but in the 60s I found Belvedere and other magic eccentrics films great.

This is one of the classic comedies of its era! It's a simple comedy with a unique idea......a movie the whole family can see and enjoy....unlike the movies which come out today. I'm not sure why today's movie makers think we want to hear the language they put in almost every movie. Get a grip.......we don't want to hear it! My mother remembers actually seeing this film in the theaters and told me that everybody was howling! The crowd apparently loved it and you will too! Clifton Webb is perfect as Mr. Belvedere and this may have been his best performance ever. Although, some people may argue with me on that point, considering he was so great in 'Laura'. I can't believe Sitty Pretty isn't out on DVD!!

This one movie, where almost all the actors, including children had been above par, in reprising the characters. Young, O'hara, Clifton, I always liked due to their calibre, but here others too had chipped in their part, from the village gossip - Appleton (Richard Haydn) - well for a refreshing option a male gossip, of course assisted by his invalid mother (Grace Hampton) to the overbearing and snobbish boss Mr and Mrs Hammond and so on. But can good acting and even good conceptualisation make up for a bad concept ? The movie basics are extremely flawed - from the moment Belvedere came on scene. He started acting like the 'man of the house' despite his having accepted a post on the contrary - resident baby sitter and handy person. Only thing he missed was asking the mistress of the home to serve his breakfast and dinner on the bed. That itself would have been unacceptable in any household, whether normal, snobs or any type. In additions, the children falling head over heels for his type is simply not believable. Of course the major flaw, his technique of 'bringing up babies' and 'training' them, along with the dog, to lose their childhood, playfulness is a bit hurting, not only to me as audience, but must to the parents too, however much they might have been harrassed by them earlier, and that training didn't exclude even the baby ! This is one part, which quickly made the movie irritating to 'parental conscience' . I am sure even in those days, the parents or psychologists, won't have advocated these, today anyway it is strictly 'no no' to make the children lose their childhood. Can't give - just due to the base concept - even a pass mark.