Mr. Belvedere Goes to College
Encyclopedia
Mr. Belvedere Goes to College is a 1949 American comedy film
directed by Elliott Nugent. The screenplay written by Mary Loos, Mary C. McCall, Jr., and Richard Sale was based on characters created by Gwen Davenport. The film focuses on prickly genius Lynn Belvedere (Clifton Webb
) who enrolls in a major university with the intention of obtaining a four year degree in only one year.
While at the university, Belvedere is pursued by a journalism student (Shirley Temple
) looking for a story. Throughout the film, Belvedere rejects the student's requests because of a promise made to the university president (Paul Harvey
) that he not divulge to the media that he is studying at the university; he would face expulsion if this happened. Belvedere keeps his promise until he receives his degree, at which time he reveals on stage to the president and dean (Taylor Holmes
) that he had allowed the student to write the story and have it published in Look Magazine
.
This film might be viewed as a loose sequel to the 1948 motion picture Sitting Pretty, which introduced Lynn Belvedere to screen audiences.
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Elliott Nugent. The screenplay written by Mary Loos, Mary C. McCall, Jr., and Richard Sale was based on characters created by Gwen Davenport. The film focuses on prickly genius Lynn Belvedere (Clifton Webb
Clifton Webb
Clifton Webb was an American actor, dancer, and singer known for his Oscar-nominated roles in such films as Laura, The Razor's Edge, and Sitting Pretty...
) who enrolls in a major university with the intention of obtaining a four year degree in only one year.
While at the university, Belvedere is pursued by a journalism student (Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
) looking for a story. Throughout the film, Belvedere rejects the student's requests because of a promise made to the university president (Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey (actor)
Paul Harvey was an American actor who appeared in at least 177 films.-Selected filmography:*They Shall Have Music *Behind the News *Moonlight Masquerade *Spellbound...
) that he not divulge to the media that he is studying at the university; he would face expulsion if this happened. Belvedere keeps his promise until he receives his degree, at which time he reveals on stage to the president and dean (Taylor Holmes
Taylor Holmes
Taylor Holmes was an actor who appeared in over 100 Broadway plays in his five-decade career. However, he is probably best remembered for his film roles, which he began in silent movies in 1917. By the 1940s, he was working more on film than on stage...
) that he had allowed the student to write the story and have it published in Look Magazine
Look (American magazine)
Look was a bi-weekly, general-interest magazine published in Des Moines, Iowa from 1937 to 1971, with more of an emphasis on photographs than articles...
.
This film might be viewed as a loose sequel to the 1948 motion picture Sitting Pretty, which introduced Lynn Belvedere to screen audiences.
Cast
- Clifton WebbClifton WebbClifton Webb was an American actor, dancer, and singer known for his Oscar-nominated roles in such films as Laura, The Razor's Edge, and Sitting Pretty...
as Lynn Belvedere - Shirley TempleShirley TempleShirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
as Ellen Baker - Tom DrakeTom DrakeTom Drake , born Alfred Sinclair Alderdice in Brooklyn, New York, was an American actor. Drake made films starting in 1940 and continuing until the mid-1970s, and also made TV acting appearances....
as Bill Chase - Alan YoungAlan YoungAlan Young is an English-Canadian actor and voice actor, best known for his role as Wilbur Post in the television series Mister Ed and as the voice of Scrooge McDuck in Disney films, TV series and video games...
as Avery Brubaker - Jessie Royce LandisJessie Royce LandisJessie Royce Landis was an American actress.-Career:She was born Jessie Royce Medbury in Chicago, Illinois. Landis was a stage actress for much of her career...
as Mrs. Chase - Kathleen HughesKathleen HughesKathleen Hughes is an American film, stage, and television actress from Hollywood, California.Kathleen's ambition as an actress came from two sources. She saw a film with actor Donald O'Connor, which gave her the idea that acting looked like fun. Also, her uncle was playwright F...
as Kay Nelson - Taylor HolmesTaylor HolmesTaylor Holmes was an actor who appeared in over 100 Broadway plays in his five-decade career. However, he is probably best remembered for his film roles, which he began in silent movies in 1917. By the 1940s, he was working more on film than on stage...
as Dr. Gibbs - Alvin Greenman as Cornelius Whittaker
- Paul HarveyPaul Harvey (actor)Paul Harvey was an American actor who appeared in at least 177 films.-Selected filmography:*They Shall Have Music *Behind the News *Moonlight Masquerade *Spellbound...
as Dr. Keating - Barry KelleyBarry KelleyBarry Kelley was an actor on Broadway in the 1930s and '40s and in movies during the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. The heavy-set actor created the role of Ike in Oklahoma! on Broadway....
as Police Sergeant Griggs - Robert Patten as Joe Fisher