Cheaper by the Dozen (1950)

"Cheaper By the Dozen", based on the real-life story of the Gilbreth family, follows them from Providence, Rhode Island to Montclair, New Jersey, and details the amusing anecdotes found in ... See full summary »

Director:

Walter Lang

Writers:

Lamar Trotti (screen play), Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Clifton Webb, Myrna Loy, Jeanne Crain

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Clifton Webb	...	Frank Bunker Gilbreth
Jeanne Crain	...	Ann Gilbreth
Myrna Loy	...	Mrs. Lillian Gilbreth
Betty Lynn	...	Deborah Lancaster
Edgar Buchanan	...	Dr. Burton
Barbara Bates	...	Ernestine Gilbreth
Mildred Natwick	...	Mrs. Mebane
Sara Allgood	...	Mrs. Monahan

Storyline

"Cheaper By the Dozen", based on the real-life story of the Gilbreth family, follows them from Providence, Rhode Island to Montclair, New Jersey, and details the amusing anecdotes found in large families. Frank Gilbreth, Sr., was a pioneer in the field of motion study, and often used his family as guinea pigs (with amusing and sometimes embarrassing results). He resisted popular culture,railing against his daughters' desires for bobbed hair and cosmetics.

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Plot Keywords:

fatherhood | motherhood | family relationships | montclair new jersey | large family | 

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Taglines:

He's the New Father of His Country!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The staircase/entrance way with the green wall paper and double doors under the landing to the left is the same staircase/entrance way used in the TV series Dark Shadows (1966). The green wall paper is not there in Dark Shadows (1966), but it's the exact same set.

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Goofs

Near the end of the film when Frank Sr. is getting in his car to head for Europe, he tosses his hat on the seat with his coat on top of it. After saying goodbye to his family, he gets into the car and the hat is on top of the coat.

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Quotes

Repairman: All those kids yours mister, or is this a picnic?
Frank Gilbreth: They're all mine and believe me, it's no picnic!

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: This is the true story of an American family.

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Connections

Referenced in Charmed: Cheaper by the Coven (2004)

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Soundtracks

Row, Row, Row
(1912) (uncredited)
Music by James V. Monaco
Played at the beginning of the Nantucket sequence

User Reviews

The 1950 version is a classic with superb acting by Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy!

I have seen the 1950 version of "Cheaper By the Dozen" perhaps a dozen times! It is a delightful glimpse of influential family life in the 1920's.

There are too many children, but this movie is funny because of Clifton Webb, who was a master of comedy in his detached, upper crust style, as in other movies such as another classic, "Mr. Belvedere." Seems like "we" have gotten too sophisticated these days to appreciate the innocence of movies like this one. There was laughter, a little love-interest, problems with kids, certainly sadness, and coping with so many children. But, it is appealing because there is no blood and guts, no explicit sex scenes and no foul language. This movie is a classic!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cheaper by the Dozen

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1