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Sitting Pretty is a 1948 American comedy film which tells the story of a family who hires Lynn Belvedere, a man with a mysterious past, to babysit their children. It stars Robert Young, Maureen O'Hara, and Clifton Webb. The film was adapted by F. Hugh Herbert from Gwen Davenport's 1947 comic novel Belvedere. It was directed by Walter Lang.[2]

Sitting Pretty
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Walter Lang
Screenplay by	F. Hugh Herbert
Based on	a Gwen Davenport novel
Produced by	Samuel G. Engel
Starring	Robert Young Maureen O'Hara Clifton Webb Richard Haydn Louise Allbritton
Cinematography	Norbert Brodine A.S.C.
Edited by	Harmon Jones (editorial supervision)
Music by	Alfred Newman
Production company	20th Century Fox
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	March 10, 1948 (1948-03-10)
Running time	83 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$3.6 million (US rentals)[1]

The character of Belvedere proved so popular, Webb reprised his role in two more movies: Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949) and Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (1951).

Plot

Lawyer Harry King and his wife Tacey have trouble retaining a nanny for their three young, rambunctious boys. When the latest in a string of servants (all women) quits, Tacey advertises for a replacement and hires Lynn Belvedere sight unseen, only to discover upon his arrival that Lynn is a dapper gentleman, one with many skills and achievements. Despite their misgivings (and Belvedere's declaration that he detests children), the Kings reluctantly agree to a trial period. Belvedere quickly wins over the boys, but his superior attitude annoys Harry.

Before Harry goes on a business trip, Tacey agrees to take their youngest child (still a baby) and sleep over each night at the home of their friends, fellow lawyer Bill Philby and his wife Edna, just to squelch any possibility of scandal in their suburban community of Hummingbird Hill over her remaining in the house with Belvedere. Late that night, however, one of the boys becomes sick. Belvedere calls Tacey and she rushes over. It turns out to be just a stomach ache, but nosy neighbor Clarence Appleton notices the lights on and comes over to investigate. He starts spreading scandalous rumors linking Belvedere and Tacey romantically. The gossip eventually reaches Horatio J. Hammond, Harry's boss. When Harry returns triumphant from his trip, Hammond complains that Tacey is endangering the law firm's reputation. Though Harry does not believe the stories, he still thinks it would be best if Belvedere found other employment, but he is persuaded by his wife and children to change his mind.

Later, Tacey and Edna attend a night lecture. Afterward, they go for a snack in a fancy restaurant, where they 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. In fact, the book's blurb describes it as "a screaming satire on suburban manners and morals." 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.

Cast

Production

The film was originally titled Belvedere, but then changed to Sitting Pretty. John Payne was meant to play the role of the husband.[3]

Photographer Loomis Dean visited the set to photograph the filming for Life and photographed Webb together with then yet unknown actresses Laurette Luez and Marilyn Monroe, who do not appear in the film.[4]

This is one of few films Webb made where he dances. Before 1944, he was an accomplished Broadway star, known for his dancing, singing, and comedic talents.[5]

Reception

Bosley Crowther wrote in The New York Times that while "light in substance, but solid in humor, this [movie's] material is handled dexterously by all who come anywhere near it – and especially, as we say, by Mr. Webb".[6] He also found Maureen O'Hara and Robert Young "delightfully clever".[6]

Awards

• Clifton Webb was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor at the 1948 Academy Awards.
• F. Hugh Herbert won the Writers Guild of America, Best Written American Comedy in 1949.
• The movie won a gold medal at the Photoplay Awards 1948.

Adaptions

A radio adaptation was presented by Lux Radio Theater on February 14, 1949. The film also inspired the television series Mr. Belvedere, starring Christopher Hewett, which first aired in 1985.

References

External links

• Sitting Pretty at IMDb 
• Sitting Pretty at AllMovie
• Sitting Pretty at the TCM Movie Database
• Sitting Pretty at the American Film Institute Catalog
• Sitting Pretty at Rotten Tomatoes
• Sitting Pretty is available for free download at the Internet Archive

На других языках

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[de] Belvedere, das verkannte Genie

Belvedere, das verkannte Genie ist eine 1947 entstandene, US-amerikanische Filmkomödie von Walter Lang mit Robert Young, Maureen O’Hara und Clifton Webb in der Paraderolle des titelgebenden, „von seiner eigenen Genialität eingenommenen Babysitter(s) und Hobbyautor(s)“[1] Mr. Belvedere.

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- [en] Sitting Pretty (1948 film)

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[fr] Bonne à tout faire

Bonne à tout faire (Sitting Pretty) est un film américain en noir et blanc réalisé par Walter Lang, sorti en 1948.

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[it] Governante rubacuori

Governante rubacuori (Sitting Pretty) è un film del 1948 diretto da Walter Lang.

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[ru] Ловко устроился

«Ловко устроился» (англ. Sitting Pretty) — кинофильм режиссёра Уолтера Лэнга, вышедший на экраны в 1948 году. Экранизация романа Гвен Дэвенпорт «Бельведер». Лента получила премию Гильдии сценаристов США за лучшую американскую комедию (Ф. Хью Херберт), «Золотую медаль за фильм года» от журнала Photoplay, а также была номинирована на премию «Оскар» за лучшую мужскую роль (Клифтон Уэбб).

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