Cheaper By the Dozen poster & wallpaper

Anthony Sydes, Barbara Bates, Betty Barker

Though it's impossible to gauge just how much of it is true, this endearing family comedy (based on the book by their children Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey) is inspired by the tr...( read more  read more... )ue story of the husband-and-wife efficiency experts Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and their adventures raising 12 kids at the turn of the century. Director Walter Lang takes a loping pace through the episodes of family life: the kids descend upon the new school in force while Dad (fussy Clifton Webb) offers his unsolicited views on education; Dad takes his oldest daughter (wholesome Jeanne Crain) to the school dance and becomes the hit of the ball; a mass tonsillectomy becomes an opportunity to document the ordeal as an experiment in efficiency. Myrna Loy almost steals the film in her one standout scene, holding back a smirk while a birth-control advocate (played by Mildred Natwick) solicits this mother of 12 to speak at a rally, but her martini-dry comic deadpan is criminally underused in this picture, which is dominated by Webb's stern, military-like parenting and Crain's adolescent crises. Though this sometimes overly sentimental classic never builds to any real dramatic plateau or comic highlights, it maintains an even tone of good humor and warmth throughout, capturing a bygone era through the travails of a loving family. A charming sequel, Belles on Their Toes, followed two years later. --Sean Axmaker

Flixster Users

69% liked it

15,995 ratings

Unrated

Directed by: Walter Lang

Release Date: January 1, 1950

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 16, 2004

Stats: 1,303 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites
report incorrect info

Photos

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.
Upload a Photo |

View All Cheaper By the Dozen Photos (5)

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,303)

  • powerofmylove
    October 7, 2008
    powerofmylove
    I loved this movie and to watch the remake it was pretty good as well. I am all for the classics though.
  • AgentLexi2132
    February 3, 2008
    AgentLexi2132
    Pending Review...

    Photobucket
  • 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...
  • organgrinder136
    April 12, 2007
    organgrinder136
    an ok movie but nothing special. i have a certain contempt for this one even though i'm sure it was a fine film for the 1800's or whatever... it's just a bit damn dull now
  • graveling861
    April 13, 2009
    graveling861
    A much more adorable version than the remake.
  • iggie461
    October 29, 2009
    iggie461
    Great couple movie or a date flick..
  • gunnergal998
    September 27, 2009
    gunnergal998
    ?!?!?!?!?!?! oldenm days man!!
  • AngelitadeAmor
    September 18, 2009
    AngelitadeAmor
    bellos recuerdos de peliculas me encantan
  • funtimes654
    September 11, 2009
    funtimes654
    It was good, but the father is a little too strict. My gf likes the remake better.
  • jackiegrdy
    August 15, 2009
    jackiegrdy
    i liked this one reminded me of my younger days

View All Cheaper By the Dozen Reviews

Critic Reviews

No recent reviews.

Comments

This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Cheaper By the Dozen" !

Post A Comment | View All Comments

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

All Rotten Tomatoes content is used under license from Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh, and the Tomatometer are the trademarks of Incfusion Corporation, d/b/a Rotten Tomatoes, a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment, Inc.

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Sound of Music
    The Sound of Music (63%)
  • Raise Your Voice
    Raise Your Voice (74%)
  • Cheaper by the Dozen 2
    Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (77%)
  • Seven Little Foys
    Seven Little Foys (67%)

More Movies like Cheaper By the Dozen

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings

Cheaper By the Dozen Trivia

  • What was the surname of the family in Cheaper by the Dozen?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Hillary Duff Play as the third oldest child?????  Answer »
  • What movie had 12 children that are in the same family?  Answer »
  • What actor can be accredited to the following movies? Pink Panther Cheaper by the Dozen Father of the Bride Bowfinger Shopgirl   Answer »
More Cheaper By the Dozen Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Cheaper By the Dozen. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Cheaper By the Dozen to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?