Sitting Pretty (1948)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Such a frustrating disappointment

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

I had never seen this movie before and was curious about it. What a disappointment - there is nothing to like about it - especially Clifton Webbs annoying portrayal of an arrogant know it all jerk. There is nothing funny or humorous , all it had me thinking was why he didn't get his ass kicked and thrown out. The way he treats the kids is mean and awful and the way the whole plot is written out is nothing more than showing how mean spirited and arrogant people can be in using and hurting others. From the rat faced neighbor to the snooty boss and secretaries - this movie is just plain mean and unpleasant. And then they made that awful sitcom with the equally annoying Christopher Hewett playing the 1980's version of Mr Belvedere. 1/10

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.

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.

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.)