This is a family film a bit in the line of 'Life With Father' (Michael Curtiz 1947). It does not have any scenes that will make you laugh out loud but you will probably be smiling through most of the picture. It is nicely made and for the most part well-acted, with Clifton Webb (as Frank Gilbreth) standing out. The children are doing well, too, even the smaller ones. My points of criticism are first of all the storyline, which is practically noneexistent. There is no opening that sets the scene and leads to more or less exciting consequences, and no conclusion where problems are being resolved; rather, the film consists of a series of almost entirely disconnected episodes whose common theme is that the same people appear. Most of these scenes are mildly amusing, but I was wondering why I should be interested. Another problem is Myrna Loy. I am finding her seriously miscast as Lillian Gilbreth who was, after all, a mother of twelve children. I suspect Loy shared my discomfort; that, at least, would explain why her acting felt so stiff and wooden in some scenes. All in all, the film is pleasing enough. It will help you while away 85 minutes when you haven't anything better to do, but I could not honestly call it outstanding or memorable.
Review of Cheaper by the Dozen
