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Clifton Webb, Jeanne Crain, Myrna Loy, Edgar Buchanan, Barbara Bates ... see more see more... , Mildred Natwick , Sara Allgood , Anthony Sydes , Roddy McCaskill , Carol Nugent , Jimmy Hunt , Teddy Driver , Betty Barker , Evelyn Varden , Frank Orth , Craig Hill , Virginia Brissac , Walter S. Baldwin , Bennie Bartlett , Sid Saylor , Ken Christy , Mary Field , Betty Lynne , Norman Ollestad , Robert Arthur , Patti Brady , Betty Lynn

Even allowing for the fact that it owed its existence to the popularity of Life with Father (1947), Cheaper by the Dozen is one of the freshest, funniest and most enduring "family" films ever to emerg... read more read more...e from Hollywood. Based on the autobiographical novel by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, this is the mostly true story of famed efficiency expert Frank Bunker Gilbreth. As played by Clifton Webb, Gilbreth is a benevolent despot in his own home, managing to keep order and (sometimes) sanity despite the presence of twelve children (hence the title). Myrna Loy co-stars as Gilbreth's wife Lillian, who provides balance to her lively household, while Jeanne Crain is allotted the somewhat thankless role of eldest daughter Ernestine (who also narrates the story). The original book was basically a series of non-chronological anecdotes: Lamar Trotti's screenplay provides a throughline in the form of Gilbreth's ongoing ambition to deliver a series of lectures in Europe. The best moments (taken almost verbatim from the novel) include: Papa Gilbreth's insistence upon filming his family's tonsillectomies, including his own; a cruel but undeniably funny vignette wherein the Gilbreths flummox a lady advocate of planned parenthood (Mildred Natwick); Mr. Gilbreth giving an impromptu demonstration on how to take a bath in the least amount of time; and daughter Ernestine's senior prom, where her father ends up as the life of the party (appearing in this sequence as a Southern belle is Betty Lynn, who later played Thelma Lou on TV's Andy Griffith Show). The decision to retain the book's surprisingly downbeat ending provides a poignant coda to this heartwarming comedy. Cheaper by the Dozen was followed in 1952 by a sequel, Belles on their Toes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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68% liked it

58,960 ratings

PG, 1 hr. 25 min.

Directed by: Walter Lang

Release Date: January 1, 2003

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DVD Release Date: March 16, 2004

Stats: 1,361 reviews

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Jared Padalecki Tom n Hilary Hilary Duff in the movie, "Cheaper By the Dozen." Cheaper By the Dozen Hilary Duff as Lorraine Baker in Cheaper By the Dozen.
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Flixster Reviews (1,361)

  • ajv2688
    October 26, 2010
    ajv2688
    An interesting family drama/comedy based on a real family, but it gets boring after a while, it could've been better.
  • erika250
    October 16, 2010
    erika250
    not as good as the newer one
  • garyX
    November 30, 2007
    garyX
    I'm sure Clifton Webb and especially Myrna Loy are infinitely more charming than Steve Martin and co, but to say family orientated comedy is not my cup of tea would be an understatement of biblical proportions...
  • crazydannielle16
    October 18, 2008
    crazydannielle16
    Very sweet movie, good characterization... especially with so many characters! Lots of true to life moments in real parent-child, and sibling-sibling relationships. A couple chuckles at socially awkard moments. The ending was a bit vague though.
  • SunilJawahir
    April 13, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    A much more adorable version than the remake.
  • ileo
    April 11, 2007
    ileo
    Loved this movie!
  • skygazing
    May 24, 2011
    skygazing
    Considering how ambivalent I usually am toward older films - rather liked this one. Clever and humorous, followed the book well and was a lot more appealing than the modern adaptation.
  • jakkijelene
    March 24, 2011
    jakkijelene
    Very nice light comedy based on a true story about a family with 12 kids. It's kind of a short film, so there is little time to really get to know the whole family. Still, I think they do quite well with the time given, but it's the parents, played by Clifton Web & Myrna Loy, w... read moreho really shine. There are many enjoyable and endearing moments, and makes for clean, wholesome family viewing. Because it is based on a true story, the easy going mood changes a bit when a serious event takes place. This adds to the heart of the movie and challenges the character of all family members. It's inspiring to see they rose to the occasion without much thought.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    May 9, 2010
    MovieGuruDude72
    The original had some charm to it as opposed to the lame-assed concoction Steve Martin starred in. Charming in an old-school family way, the kids were pure and the parents were even purer. Worth watching if you long for those days. (The novel is better).
  • Xexecva
    December 18, 2008
    Xexecva
    A great story, I'm from a big family and it struck a chord with me. MUCH better than the Steve Martin remakes!

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Critic Reviews

Steve Crum
October 26, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

A film rich in turn of the century atmosphere. And family values times 12.

Ryan Cracknell
August 24, 2004
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide

There's a lot to be said about a family with 12 kids but this film doesn't do any of them justice. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

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February 9, 2006
Time Out

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September 4, 2004
Film4

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