Robert Young, Maureen O Hara & Clifton Webb as Mr. Belvedere in "Sitting Pretty" (1948)

In the suburban Hummingbird Hill, lawyer Harry King and his wife Tacey have trouble retaining a nanny for their three young, rambunctious boys: Larry and Tony, both of whom get into frequent mischief with the family dog Henry; and baby Roddy. When the latest in a string of servants (all women) quits, Tacey advertises for a replacement and hires Lynn Belvedere sight unseen. However, she discovers that Lynn Belvedere is actually a man upon his arrival, a mysterious one with many skills and achievements - and who declares himself to detest children. Nonetheless, the Kings reluctantly agree to a trial period during which Belvedere quickly wins over the boys. However, his mysterious nature intrigues both of their parents, and Harry becomes annoyed by his condescending attitude.
Before Harry King (Robert Young) goes on a business trip, his wife, Tacey King (Maureen O'Hara), agrees to take their son, Roddy (Roddy McCaskill), 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 the town over her remaining in the house with Lynn Belvedere (Clifton Webb). When one of the boys becomes sick late that night, Belvedere calls Tacey to come over for what is a stomachache. Nosy neighbor Clarence Appleton (Richard Haydn) notices the lights on and investigates, soon spreading scandalous rumors linking Belvedere and Tacey romantically. The gossip reaches Harry's boss Horatio J. Hammond (Ed Begley).
Tacey and Edna 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, takes their youngest, and flies to her parents' home in Fort Worth, Texas.
In the meantime, we learn that Belvedere has spent the past few weeks secretly researching and writing a salacious account of the goings-on among the residents of Hummingbird Hill. The published tome becomes a national bestseller, upsetting everyone in the community. Tacey rushes home and is reconciled with her husband. Hammond fires Harry and Bill, and then announces his decision to sue Belvedere, who is pleased, as he expects the publicity to increase sales of his already popular book. He hires Harry and Bill to defend him, then reveals the source of much of his information: none other than Clarence Appleton. The informant flees, with Hammond and others in hot pursuit. Despite his new fame, Belvedere agrees to keep his job as his successful book is only the first volume of what will become a trilogy.
A 1948 American Black & White comedy film directed by Walter Lang, produced by Samuel G. Engel, screenplay by F. Hugh Herbert, adapted from Gwen Davenport's novel "Belvedere" (1947), cinematography by Norbert Brodine, starring Robert Young, Maureen O'Hara, Clifton Webb, Richard Haydn, Louise Allbritton, Randy Stuart, Ed Begley, Larry Olsen, John Russell and Willard Robertson. Screen debut appearances of Betty Ann Lynn and Iris James.
Robert Young drives a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr 4-door sedan.
Photographer Loomis Dean visited the set to photograph the filming for LIFE MAGAZINE and photographed Webb together with then-unknown actresses Laurette Luez and Marilyn Monroe, who do not appear in the film.
The film was originally titled "Belvedere", as the novel, but was changed.
Upon its release by 20th Century Fox in April 1948, Sitting Pretty became a box-office success. Although Clifton Webb received third billing here, Webb received critical praise for his performance of Belvedere, which spawned two Belvedere sequels, which he starred in. Webb received his third and final Oscar nomination, for Best Actor at the 1948 Academy Awards. It was his only nomination for lead actor (his two previous nominations were for supporting actor).
Webb's portrayal of Mr. Belvedere was the inspiration for Jonathan Harris' portrayal of Dr. Smith in the "Lost in Space" television series.
Webb also danced in the film, one of the rare chances he was able to showcase the dancing, singing, and comedic talents which made him popular on Broadway prior of his signing with Fox in 1944.
Pilots for a "Mr. Belvedere" television series were shot in 1959 with Hans Conried in the title role, and in 1965 with Victor Buono. The series finally made it to air on the ABC network as Mr. Belvedere (1985).
Clifton Webb's first incarnation as "Mr. Belvedere" is a riot. This is the film that really established Webb's long career at Fox in roles that seemed tailor-made for his kind of pompous charm. Of course, it helps to have two of the screen's more likable younger actors, Young and O'Hara, as co-stars with Webb. An excellent family movie that deliberately avoids sappiness or extreme sentimentality. It's all for laughs and never fails to delight. This little charmer holds up remarkably well.

[@ushasundaram1]

What an absolutely brilliant film! Clifton Webb's portrayal of Belvedere is a masterpiece.

[@danielbisson8032]

he was one of the gay ch character actors of the forties

[@JoLoRod1]

Good fun and great story which keeps the comedy moving until the end. Thanks for that.

[@RandyMUNSOn-fe2tb]

Better than anything on network tv.

[@wendybutler1681]

Better than 98% of modern films. No CGI, no car chases or sex scenes to pad a poorly composed script. I just want a good story made by skilled artists. Out of dozens of these old films I haven't found one that didn't have a solid plotline.

[@sandrachamberlain7957]

Enjoyed. Thank you for posting!

[@venitamayers4921]

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Thanks for posting it.

[@royboy9361]

One of my favorites. 👍💯

[@gibsonaloha]

This unique story & quality comedy throughout the film is absolutely entertaining!

[@helo1bob1]

I wish they would make movies like this now!

[@Medietos]

Many do. as long as you only wish without making it happen thouigh, it won't happen. You transform your wish into intention, will, plan and action! To your success!

[@Gannu_Maharaj]

Cute adorable Classics 😍

[@susanbeaumont6063]

Thank you. I enjoyed that film.

[@organicforlife597]

Thank you for the upload. Kindly upload the Women starring Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford.

[@markantrobus8782]

Maureen O'Hara - great to see this genius. Lovely presence. Robert Young of Father Knows Best and the Sanka ads

[@Brethal]

good ole days and the simplicity of life however still with human nature

[@user-ze3zf4ez2l]

Oh, how sweet❗️It made me laugh several times❗️Amazing ending, thank you❣️

[@bell-xk5dd]

Thank you for uploading these old movies. Could you please also upload “Will Penny” and “The Good Earth” thank you 🙏

[@RetiredSchoolCook]

🥰Great movie 😃Great cast 🥰Enjoyed watching it one more time 👍Thank you 👍

[@ljscheible6007]

That was an enjoyable movie! ❤

[@markantrobus8782]

Great film, slow in the beginning but the denouement makes up for it. The proper title "Mr Belvedere".

[@janlambert4174]

Witty, Funny, Loveable family.

[@dianekelly995]

Great movie!

[@starlight7159]

This is a young Betty Lynn the babysitter from Andy Griffith show. Thelma Lou!

[@bettyprettyprincess]

What a cute movie ❤

[@cattymajiv]

A 1 year old baby in a bathtub all alone?

[@garyschultz7768]

Could this movie from 1948 be where the TV show "Father Knows Best" came from ???....the popular show ran from 1954 to 1960....

[@milliesmith5068]

Fun movie.

[@wendybutler1681]

I could never exist in a home with that much clutter. Floral drapes, floral wallpaper, flouncy curtains, meaningless accessories on every flat surface. This is so remembered from my youth and the 1 o'clock movie on Channel 12. Lunch, then a movie all summer long. Me and Mom. KPTV 12 out of Portland. Oldest indepentent station west of the Rockies. Now a Fox affiliate but the most unbiased, comprehensive local news team we have, imo. A trusted source for news for a long, long time. Don't know if the 1o'clock movie anymore but it surely brought out a great love for the films of the 30s, 40s and 50s in me.

[@EJP286CRSKW]

Not to mention the valances, which Belvedere rightly junked, or the meaningless puffed sleeves on the meaningless apron ...

[@markantrobus8782]

Yoga in 1948.

[@markbayer1573]

A suburban couple solves its babysitting woes by hiring snooty genius Lynn Belvedere (Clifton Webb)...but being that it's the suburbs and that it's 1948, much gossip ensues. Slick, episodic family comedy was a huge hit in its day (and got Webb his third Oscar nod) but I'm not entirely feeling the love. Belvedere is not only a one-note character but, for me, remarkably unlikable, even if that's supposed to be the joke; his treatment of everybody in the sculpture scene alone is enough to make me want to dump the bowl of pablum from earlier in the movie on HIS head! Still, Webb would become a major star playing Belvedere or variations thereof all through the 50s, so what do I know? I do wonder, however, what happened to Henry, the huge family dog from the beginning of the movie. Did Belvedere have him sent to, uh, a nice big farm out in the country? Wouldn't surprise me! 6/10.

[@miapdx503]

A trite distraction 🌹

[@philfletcher3434]

Was Mr. Belvedere an anally retentive queer?

[@chadwedul1787]

Nah. It's just Webb playing himself.

[@TheBelrick]

hahahaha . I do actually really like his characters. Perfect for stuck up roles like in The Razors Edge

[@fredneecher1746]

Daily syrup of figs will fix that.