Amusing family drama, set in the 1920's, and immensely popular on first release. No wonder, since the movie presents an idealized family portrait that goes humorously beyond the usual two or three kids. Here, of course, it's a dozen. With that many offspring, all kinds of kid hi- jinks are possible to fill out the screenplay. Nonetheless, it's the prickly Webb at the height of his popularity who dominates, along with a bemused Loy looking on. There's really no plot, just a series of ordinary family episodes centering around Mom, Dad, and the two eldest girls (Crain & Bates).Still, there is something of a socially conservative subtext behind the scattered goings-on. Importantly, it's one that doesn't harm the generally humorous results. Take the way the family-planning lady (Natwick) is gently mocked when Dad parades his army of offspring before her. This was, after all, back in the day when contestants on quiz shows with bigger families got bigger applause. Or take the prom scene where young Tom (Hill) pointedly affirms to teen-age Ann (Crain) what her dad has already explained to her—namely, that boys only marry "good girls". This scene, however, appears aimed specifically at the audience and is a bit awkward for such an otherwise smooth production.Despite the one scene, this is not an in-your-face subtext, but it is present and quite consonant with the times. After all, idealized families were not unusual for either movies or TV of the 50's, unlike today's often ribald variety. However, I am curious how in such a sunny movie the unexpectedly dark development suddenly occurs near the end. I guess its inclusion was to maintain the facts of the real life family on which the movie is based. At the same time, the development prevents things from getting too sentimental, always a pitfall for movies like this. Nonetheless, it is understandably passed over quickly and at a distance.All in all, the movie remains warmly amusing, thanks mainly to another of Webb's prickly but likable characters. Then too, the kids are cute without being cutesy; at the same time, the lovely Crain looks a little long in the tooth to be playing a teenager. However, I'm still wondering how Mom can bear all of twelve kids and still look like Myrna Loy. Oh well, just another of Hollywood's enduring mysteries.

With both Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy in it -- and a high reputation to boot -- I was really looking forward to this film. Unfortunately it seems to be one of those US 'family' pictures ("Mrs Miniver", "Since You Went Away") that are simply too saccharine for my taste: I note that many reviewers here recommend it on the grounds that it contains no bad language or violence, but for my part I felt it needed something more than these omissions to make it appealing. It sets out, I think, to be a feel-good comedy; but I found too much of the comedy to be grating without myself possessing the requisite nostalgia for a Golden Age of America. I spent too much of the film finding it simply annoying, although I did enjoy the ballroom scene towards the end.Try "Bachelor Knight" (1947) or "Miracle on 34th Street" (also 1947) for child-centred humour/romance from this era.

Okay, by the title you can't guess that this ultimately will be an extremely depressing film. While that IS a spoiler, I thought it only right to point it out right away because some people might be turned off by this and should avoid the film. This is particularly true for people who are ALREADY depressed--this film will no doubt make it worse! Now this ISN'T to say that this is a bad film--it's actually very well made and quite enjoyable. But, since it's based on real people, the studio couldn't exactly give it a happy ending just to please the audience (though they HAVE done this a few times---almost always with disastrous results).Clifton Webb wonderfully plays an efficiency expert who is quite the character. While at times he seems a bit dictatorial and arrogant, he is also quite loving and charming. I have almost always loved seeing Webb in films and since he did so few movies, I made sure to see this one--his performance certainly didn't disappoint. In fact, Mr. Webb IS the film--as he strongly dominates the movie in a positive way. Interestingly enough, he plays the father of a brood of twelve kids, while in real life he was gay--an interesting fact, but not especially important to his performance.His wife is the ever-faithful and patient Myrna Loy. She is a much more down-to-earth person and the perfect counterpoint to Webb's somewhat bombastic performance. Together, they are the parents of 12 kids--kids that are much more normal and believable than the ones you'll see in the recent CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN--a film that bears no relationship with this 1950 version.All in all, this is very entertaining and well-made. And, if you liked this film, there is a follow-up entitled BELLES ON THEIR TOES.

If I were to be kidnapped by terrorists, making me watch this movie again would be more effective than any other brand of torture they could devise. If you want information out of me, just let me get a glimpse of Jeanne Crain's saccharine, dreadful performance here and I'll break faster than a ninety-year-old woman's hip.Ugh! This movie is obnoxious, probably loved by people who like that horrible home improvement show on T.V. hosted by that twerp who screams into a bullhorn for an hour. As everyone probably knows because of the remake, Clifton Webb plays the droll father of a big batch of precocious, freckled, gooey 50s children, and the laughs I guess are supposed to come from watching him run his home with the efficiency of a drill sergeant. Myrna Loy is on hand, which you'd think would make things more tolerable, but the director pretty much shoves her into a corner and throws a dust cover over her. There's nothing funny in this movie, nothing moving, nothing even interesting: it's entirely lacking in dramatic conflict, and what drama there is (a shameless attempt at tearjerking in the film's final moments) doesn't work because it's so phony.Yuck.Grade: D- (o.k. I'll refrain from giving it an F only because I like Myrna Loy)