Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell

Whilst not having the sudden shock of his appearance as a male "maid" and babysitter in "Sitting Pretty", this third Belvedere film lets Clifton Webb loose on both our laughing equipment and our heartstrings quite wonderfully.

The Belvedere movies are not conceived in the same way, which is refreshing. This one has all the hubris and conceit we take merrily on board from Webb, channelled alarmingly into something like a messianic mission to an old folk's home. Reference to the character's history in "Sitting Pretty" is made at one point, just as it is in "Mr Belvedere goes to College" so the effect is of Clifton Webb popping up randomly on screen like a mushroom under a damp tree - indeed he is first seen silhouetted from behind on a park bench in this film. One wonders how Belvedere floated along, spore-like, from one movie to the next - what did he do in the meantime? Zero Mostel lends very endearing support but must bow to Webb's leading role and, of course, the elderly character actors are all entertainingly and effortlessly used to best effect.

Touching and funny in a (thirdly) different way from the other Belvederes.

The fact that Clifton Webb is posing as another character and they call him by that name throughout the entire picture makes him less Lynn Belvedere and more something (someone) else. I understand that the character is working undercover, but I think this is because they had used a stage play as the basis for this film, and in the play, the character is not Belvedere.

What I do like about this last sequel in the series is that it once again proves Mr. Webb is the best fish-out-of-water in movies. You can put him into any situation with any assortment of odd characters, and he stands out spectacularly. There were hundreds of other situations they could have thrown him into, and when you think about it, the Belvedere franchise could have gone on as long as Blondie.

Acclaimed writer "Lynn Belvedere" (Clifton Webb) is on a lecture tour to support his latest book, when he alights on an home for elderly people. It's administered by "Rev. Watson" (Hugh Marlowe) with the help of "Harriet" (Joanne Dru) and populated by a curious collection of elderly individuals with varying degrees of neuroses and quirks. "Belvedere" decides that he is going to demonstrate to each of them, as well as to the obviously affectionate but don't know it yet pair running the place, that a lot of their ailments, worries and troubles are merely in their minds. It's got a certain feel-good nature to it, naive and simplistic, but still the message is meant to be positive and to that extent Webb's characterisation is quite charming, if a little pompous, and his acting adequate. Zero Mostel also chips in nicely as his long suffering agent and the inmates, if you like, are made up of solid character actors who deliver well too. It's just too wordy - far too much dialogue and not enough of it pithy or humorous. Still, it's a gently amiable outing for this character that we have seen a few times now that passes the time easily enough. Perhaps he has had his day, now, and it is time for him to retire, too?

It is indeed true, as has been posted here, that Clifton Webb's "Lynn Belvedere" character does not blend it in well in this, the 3rd & final film to feature the character. "Mr B Rings the Bell" is based on a play "The Silver Whistle" and the film does indeed suffer for it. The cast tries hard & it has its charming moments but it simply isn't as funny as the 1st two movies that featured the Belvedere character ("Sitting Pretty" & "Mr. Belvedere Goes to College"). This is OK time filler, but nothing more. I'm afraid that Mr. Webb & most of the cast are wasted. The actors who come across the best, I think, are the elderly people who inhabit the rest home that is the setting of the film. And as has been said here at this site, it truly is a shame that there were not more "Mr. Belvedere" movies. That dismal TV sitcom of the 80's with the late Christopher Hewitt had NOTHING whatever to do with the films, except for the main character having the same last name.

Mr. Belvedere teaches the proprietor and residents of a senior citizens' home the power of positive thinking. The ensemble cast of seniors is superb. They are believable and never mawkish. Joanne Dru, who works for the (presumably Episcopal) priest in charge is very generic. It's a standard pretty, understanding, relatively helpful woman role of its time. But a pretty girl was doubtless deemed necessary for putting this across financially.

The residents make us sad when they are gloomy. And when they're happy, we smile. Doro Merande is especially charming -- to me, at least. She reminds me a great deal of my paternal grandmother.

Zero Mostel's comic talents are essentially wasted as Mr. Belvedere's agent. But he's always a pleasure to see. And Webb does very well. He's acerbic but somewhat less grating than in "Mr. Belvedere Goes To College." This was an extremely forward-looking approach to old age for 1951. It doesn't seem at all dated.