Cheaper By the Dozen

Take heart: this is not the abominable Steve Martin fiasco (a remake in name only), but the warmly funny 1950 bio-pic starring Clifton Webb at his exacting, stiff-spined best as turn-of-the-century efficiency expert Frank Gilbreth, whose theories and research are put to the test by his large and unruly brood. At the heart of the film is the stern but loving autocrat's attempts to reign over his increasingly independent-minded offspring (one memorable scene finds an unwitting Planned Parenthood representative making an ill-conceived visit to the Gilbreth home). Myrna Loy costars as Gilbreth's patient and nurturing wife. Viewer's advisory: while charming, the devastating ending is a heartbreaker that may well upset younger viewers otherwise enthralled by the Gilbreth kids' antics. Presented in a handsome, colorful transfer on an otherwise extra-less disc, this is highly recommended. [Note: the 1952 sequel Belles on Their Toes is also newly available on DVD.] (D. Liebenson)