Cheaper By the Dozen

1950 • 86 minutes

About this movie

This colorful depiction of life in a family of 12 children stars Clifton Webb as Frank Bunker Gilbreth, an eccentric father who prides himself on some truly unorthodox child-rearing methods. Based on the bestseller by two children of the real Mr. Gilbreth, this charming film co-starring Myrna Loy is "alive with big laughs" (Los Angeles Times).

Narrated by the oldest daughter (Jeanne Crain), the story follows a series of family crises over the years: from how the children over-whelmed their new school's administration office, to the time they threw a hospital into chaos when they arrived for a mass tonsillectomy. There's even a memorable encounter with a birth control advocate. Simultaneously hilarious and sentimental, "Cheaper by the Dozen is a family comedy in the truest sense.

Ratings and reviews

Must set aside some modern expectations and watch this movie with the perspective of the 1950's. Chipper dialog, lovely characters, and a true-life back story makes this an enjoyable movie.

Great family movie. Truly children are a blessing from God . Blessed are the parents who have lots of children. This world would be a much better and happier place if all fathers and mother's loved each other and their children as potrayed in this movie.

Sweet B&W version of a family of 12 kids, run by a time-management expert & his long-suffering wife. Cute & funny, brings back fond memories, made close to the novel, based on a true story. Very watchable. 5 stars! (Clifton Webb, Myrna Loy)