Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell
Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell

Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell

1951Movie87 minEnglish

Posing as a man over 70, a lecturer (Clifton Webb) enters an old-folks home to prove age is a state of mind.

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IMDb6.3/10
Director: Henry KosterGenres: Comedy, Family

Plot Summary

A wealthy and opinionated widower, Mr. Belvedere, finds himself facing retirement and the prospect of being lonely. To combat this, he decides to pose as a young college student in order to experience life and friendships anew. His charade leads to humorous situations as he navigates campus life, romance, and the generational gap.

Critical Reception

The film received a generally lukewarm reception from critics, who found its premise somewhat contrived and its humor hit-or-miss. While Clifton Webb's performance was noted as a highlight, the overall execution failed to fully capitalize on its comedic potential.

What Reviewers Say

  • Clifton Webb's performance is a standout, bringing charm to a predictable role.
  • The film's premise of an older man going back to college is somewhat unbelievable.
  • Humor is inconsistent, with some moments landing better than others.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this older film, but general sentiment suggests it's a lighthearted comedy with a strong lead performance, though not a particularly memorable one.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the novel 'Mr. Belvedere Goes to College' by Betty MacDonald, which also inspired the popular 1980s television series 'Mr. Belvedere'.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

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 p...