Clifton Webb is very droll as the self-described genius who tames a suburban household of kids. And one dog. He is the central figure, but the rest of the cast is very good as well: Richard Hayden is a nosy neighbor is amusing -- though is there a bit of snickering toward his character in the screenplay? Not his gossiping but his -- well, less than masculine behavior and interests? Toward Webb's character, there is none.
It's a pleasure to see Maureen O'Hara in movies other than the John Wayne stuff for which she is best known. She was a lovely woman and a highly appealing actress. Robert Young is OK as his husband, a rather dimwitted sort for a lawyer.
I can't imagine anyone disliking this. It is funny and well crafted. In some ways, the dreadful children and horticulturally inclined neighbor are a comic flip-flop on film noir of its day: Come home from the WAR; do your best - And this is what you have to put up with. (Though O'Hara is certainly an engaging Penelope-figure.)
It's a pleasure to see Maureen O'Hara in movies other than the John Wayne stuff for which she is best known. She was a lovely woman and a highly appealing actress. Robert Young is OK as his husband, a rather dimwitted sort for a lawyer.
I can't imagine anyone disliking this. It is funny and well crafted. In some ways, the dreadful children and horticulturally inclined neighbor are a comic flip-flop on film noir of its day: Come home from the WAR; do your best - And this is what you have to put up with. (Though O'Hara is certainly an engaging Penelope-figure.)