BELLES ON THEIR TOES

US, 1952, 89 minutes, Colour.
Myrna Loy, Jeanne Crain, Debra Paget, Jeffrey Hunter, Edward Arnold, Hoagy Carmichael, Barbara Bates, Robert Arthur.
Directed by Henry Levin.

Cheaper By The Dozen was one of the most popular comedies of 1950. Director Walter Lang, who had specialised in Americana comedies and musicals, caught the right flavour in this story of a family at the beginning of the 20th. century, distinguished by its size. Clifton Webb, in his usual style, suits the role of Frank Galbraith, an efficiency expert and engineer who raises his large family well and defies critics. Myrna Loy is attractive as Lilian, his wife and associate in training and engineering. Jeanne Crain heads the children.

The film focused on American family customs and styles of the early 20th century. Frank Galbraith dies at the end of the film.

However, a sequel was called for and this was Belles On Their Toes. Myrna Loy steps into the parental role and gives a sympathetic performance. However, Clifton Webb is missed. The film focuses on the children growing up, especially the older daughters played by the attractive Jeanne Crain, Barbara Bates and Debra Paget (who has a chance to sing and dance, which she did not in her other films). Jeffrey Hunter is the romantic lead. There is a welcome appearance by Edward Arnold as a benign businessman, the opposite of the types he used to play in the '30s and '40s. The director this time is Henry Levin who also directed many American domestic comedies. The film once again focuses on the customs and manners of the time.

1. The popularity of Cheaper By The Dozen in its time, Clifton Webb and his comedy style, the story of the large family, the presentation of American family life? The need for a sequel?

2. The film as a piece of Americana - American families in the 1920s, presuppositions, styles, manners? Business, romance? The focus on the place of women and male intolerance?

3. The them of the family, large families and people's reaction to twelve children? The framework of Jane's graduation and Lilian Galbraith remembering? The impact of her husband's death, the having to move house, the relatives wanting to take the children, their decision to manage, the coping with difficulties, the effect of having a big family with everybody co-operating? The praise of the big family, the critique, the funny side as presented in the newsreel?

4. The film's focus on the life of the family - from all cleaning the car and the house to budgeting on holiday and eating beans, to joining in the neighbours' barbecue? The visit to the barber? Tom and his help, making beer, being dismissed and accepted back again? The focus on romance and the difficulties in making decisions about marriage?

5. The character of Lilian, her coping with the family, her abilities as an engineer and a teacher? The feminist tones? Her not having success on the lecture circuit? The visit of Harper and his reaction to her claim to be a teacher, his change of heart? The invitation to lecture and her being forced to stay out of the meting? Her later achievement at the university? Her motherly care, wisdom, helping the children with their decisions? Her decision not to marry Harper?

6. Anne as the eldest child, growing up, going to College, the infatuation with the boys? Her falling in love with Bob, the possibility of marriage, her wanting to delay, the hurt between the two, Bob's making demands and Lilian giving her blessing on the marriage?

7. The humour of Ernestine and Al, A1 and his being tormented by the brothers? His leaving? Her ability to get over her disappointment?

8. Martha and her budgeting, song and dance routines, going to the dance and growing up?

9. Frank Junior and his support of the family, his decision to get rid of Al?

10. The picture of the various children and their contribution to the family life? Tom and his support, mistakes? Presence in the newsreel?

11. The set pieces of American family life ? holidays at the beach, looking at the boys, the barbecue, college, dances etc.?

12. The sympathetic portrait of Harper and his involvement with the family, his wanting to marry Lilian?

13. A presentation of traditional American values in a traditional and humorous way?