Anne (Betsy Drake) and Poppy Rose (Cary Grant) are a loving couple with three kids after losing the fourth. On a PTA tour of an orphanage, the selfless Anne is taken with the children. When the group is shown the older unwanted kids, everybody walks away except Anne. Jane is a troubled child who tried to kill herself. She's bitter with trust issues. They win her over and then Anne picks angry handicapped orphan Jimmy-John.This starts like a sentimental hurricane. Jane is a real tear jerker. They do switch to Jimmy-John who is a more difficult battle. I wonder if the movie loses a bit of steam by sidelining Jane's story. The characters are compelling and heart-wrenching. It has a few fun scenes mostly with Grant pulling off gags. It's just a very touching movie.

The film is arguably a masterpiece, with a classic message about the care of foster children. Real-life couple Betsy Drake and Cary Grant are perfect for these kinds of parent roles, because they have such grace and style, and to see them crowded by an assorted lot of kids with realistic problems is quite believable and funny.The script is well balanced. It makes a point of showing how older children can be given a second chance at a family, and there is one kid representing girls and one kid representing boys in this situation. The three biological children really take a backseat in terms of the film, but they do contribute to the story. There is a memorable scene where they all cast ballots and write 'leave' but then they tell the illiterate boy they want him to 'stay.'Overall, the picture contains the right blend of realism and humor. Miss Drake's performance is definitely what anchors the film. Cary Grant is sort of like the biggest kid in the bunch, but she is there to guide them all, make the right decisions and dole out the necessary amount of love and patience.

Real-life marrieds Cary Grant and Betsy Drake as a loving couple who adopt needy children. Perhaps trying to erase the stigma--the negative curiosity--from adoption and foster families that was highly prevalent in the early-'50s, screenwriters Jack Rose and Melville Shavelson (working from Anna Perrot Rose's book) go a little nutty providing these particular children with a happy ending. Drake is appropriately warm and buttery, but Grant (uncomfortably referred to as "Poppy" Rose, as if he were in his 70s) has the stern look of concentration that unfortunately never slides into bemusement. His "Poppy" is supposed to be wary of his wife's desire to fill the house with kids, but Grant seems a bit anxious at finding an actual character to portray. He's just relying on externals here, and the slightest sneer of discontent shows through. Story transformed into a TV series some ten years later. ** from ****

Room for One More (1952) I have watched all but a short list of Cary Grant's films (the remaining are not his best ones, so don't know if I'll ever finish). Some of them I have seen too many times to count. Room for One More isn't one I'd pop in frequently, but I'm so glad TCM is playing this film with some regularity now. I saw it when it premiered on TCM last year and it's on my "to buy" list. Here's why. The main reason is it is a sweet story with a precious family. This family has all of the issues that normal families face, yet they open their home for more children. This makes it the kind of movie that just has heart. Cary Grant made entertaining films, but this one is tops in the heart department. There is no screwball comedy, no mystery, and no getting the girl. He doesn't need to do that since he's married in then film and to his wife in real life at the time.Next, there is no neatly tied Ward and June Cleaver marriage. It's more of a Carol and Mike Brady marriage where there's a conflict and a moral resolution in a relaxed atmosphere. It has worked for the Brady Bunch all these years and it works here.Finally, and I could go on and on, but finally I really love this movie because Cary Grant is so relaxed. He's the most relaxed here than in any other film. He seems to really be enjoying working with his wife and having a blast since they did not have children of their own. Cary adored his stepson from a former marriage and retired to be with Jennifer later in life. I think he would have been a fun father to a passel of children and it shows in this film. I read that he later regretted prolonging fatherhood till his twilight years. Regardless, he plays a father, a husband, a man with a 9-5 job with the same aplomb he plays his suave and his screwball characters. He's just great. His wife Betsy is not a perfect screen partner for him, but this is their 2nd film together and they both appear more relaxed and excited to be working together. If anything appeals to you when reading reviews of this film, go ahead and watch it. It's a rare role departure for CG that works.