Story of movie Sitting Pretty 1948 Film : Sitting Pretty is a 1948 American comedy film which tells the story of a family who hires Lynn Belvedere, a man with a mysterious past, to babysit their children. It stars Robert Young, Maureen O'Hara, and Clifton Webb. The film was adapted by F. Hugh Herbert from the comic novel Belvedere (1947) by Gwen Davenport. It was directed by Walter Lang.
| Sitting Pretty | |
|---|---|
theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Walter Lang |
| Produced by | Samuel G. Engel |
| Screenplay by | F. Hugh Herbert |
| Based on | Belvedere 1947 novel by Gwen Davenport |
| Starring | Robert Young Maureen O'Hara Clifton Webb |
| Music by | Alfred Newman |
| Cinematography | Norbert Brodine |
| Edited by | Harmon Jones |
Production company | 20th Century Fox |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
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Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3,550,000 (US rentals) |
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).
Screenplay
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, but his superior attitude annoys Harry.
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.
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 again. This time, Harry is not so understanding. Insulted, Tacey quarrels with him and leaves for her parents.
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 then Bill 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.
- 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
The film was originally titled Belvedere, but then changed to Sitting Pretty. John Payne was meant to play the role of the husband.
Photographer Loomis Dean visited the set to photograph the filming for Life and photographed Webb together with then yet unknown actresses Laurette Luez and Marilyn Monroe, who do not appear in the film.
This is one of few films Webb made where he dances. Before 1944, he was an accomplished Broadway star, known for his dancing, singing and comedy.
Bosley Crowther wrote in The New York Times 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".
- Clifton Webb was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor at 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.
A radio adaptation was presented by Lux Radio Theater on February 14, 1949. The film also inspired the television series Mr. Belvedere, starring Christopher Hewett, which first aired in 1985.
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