Cette sacrée famille

Pushover engineer Cary Grant (as George "Poppy" Rose) and pretty housewife Betsy Drake (as Anna Perrott Rose) live comfortably with their three kids, dog, and pregnant cat. Then, the couple decide to become foster parents to a couple of needy children. First, they take in disagreeable, neglected Iris Mann (as Jane Miller). Next, they bring in sullen, crippled Clifford Tatum Jr. (as James "Jimmy John" Wilson). Prepare to get your heart tugged as the kids learn to fit in with their new family, and visa versa...

If you've ever wondered how a TV situation comedy series starring Cary Grant would have played, this is your chance. Looking like a pilot for a series planned for Mr. Grant and Ms. Drake, who was his wife at the time, it's like "My Three Sons" and "Father Knows Best" meets "The Brady Bunch". In fact, "Room for One More" finally did become a series, in 1962. But, since Grant was a perennial box office attraction in theaters, there was no reason for him to do television. Watch it for the kids, they're terrific.

****** Room for One More (1/10/52) Norman Taurog ~ Cary Grant, Betsy Drake, Clifford Tatum Jr., Iris Mann

I loved this film. It is the story of a family (Cary Grant and Betsy Drake starring as "Poppy" and Anna Rose) who take in a couple of orphaned children, and the various mi-adventures and calamities that result.

I enjoyed the way the film dealt with some real-life issues, like how the financially-strapped couple would deal with the added costs of taking in another child, how "natural" children deal with adopted children, and how "normal" children deal with disabled children. Some of the scenes aren't pretty; in the current era of political-correctness, we sometimes forget how mean children could be to one another back in those days.

There are several scenes in the movie that involve the Boy Scouts. As a Scouter myself, these were my favorite parts. I especially liked the Eagle ceremony, and I really noticed how the Pledge of Allegiance, as said in 1952, omits "under God", which wasn't added until 1954! Another thing I noticed: George Winslow, who played "Teenie" in this movie, later played a Cub Scout in "Mister Scoutmaster" (1953) starring Clifton Webb and Frances Dee.

Scouting played a prominent role in both films, which evidenced the place of Scouting in American society of the 1950s. For those of us currently involved in Scouting, we can only look with nostalgia at how Scouting was viewed at that time: as a wholesome activity for boys, unburdened with all the baggage of the political-correctness of our times.

Whether you're a Scouter or not, I think (unless you're totally jaded) that you and your children will really enjoy this heartwarming story of Scouting in an extended family.

Lesser known Grant comedy is a sweet-natured look at the challenges of adopting older children and blending them into an already existing family.

Cary Grant could have played his part as an exasperated father in his sleep but he does his usual charming job of it and at 48 displays a body that people half his age would be proud of.

Betsy Drake, Grant's wife at the time of filming, is all warm understanding perhaps a shade too calm for all the situations she finds herself in but very right for the part.

The focus is on them and the two challenging children they take in, whose problems honestly are resolved a bit too quickly but this being a 50's movie that such a situation is being addressed at all is rather remarkable.

Grant, Drake and the two young actors playing the adoptees are fine but a shortcoming of the picture is that it wastes two very good performers, Lurene Tuttle and George "Foghorn" Winslow, in throwaway parts.

A nice film rather than a laugh out loud comedy.

I have always loved Cary Grant. I think he is wonderful with children.

Father Goose was truly enjoyable. I remember seeing Room for One More when I was child. I get nostalgic thinking about it. I haven't seen it for years. It's not on video and I haven't seen it listed. If you ever get chance to see it, I recommend that you do! Good family

If you're family enjoyed "Yours, Mine & Ours", "Father Goose", "With six You Get Eggroll", "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "The Trouble With Angels", seek this movie out on late-late night TV. It is sometimes listed under its original title "The Easy Way".