MR SCOUTMASTER

US, 1953, 87 minutes, Black and white.
Clifton Webb, George Winslow, Edmund Gwenn, Frances Dee.
Directed by Henry Levin.

One of several comedies made by Clifton Webb in the early fifties. A dancer, he made dramatic impact in Laura and The Razor's Edge. His comic skills were to the fore in Sitting Pretty and the Mr Belvedere films. In the early fifties he made a number of short American-style comedies including Elopement, Dream Boat. He teamed with Edmund Gwynn in For Heaven's Sake. This is a pleasant inconsequential, very patriotic American kind of comedy and is interesting for exhibiting the talents of Clifton Webb in his waspish and sardonic comic style.

1. An entertaining comedy? Its very American style?

2. The comic style of the fifties, black and white photography, the humorous score, a Clifton Webb vehicle? His particular style of comedy?

3. The atmosphere of the American city, American television in the fifties, advertising, ratings? American families, the church, the place of the Scouts? patriotism? The style of children growing up in this period?

4. The film's presentation of the Scouts, praising them, a tribute to them? The irony of kids being noisy and playing pranks? The sentiment and patriotism and heroism encouraged by the Scouts and its being exhibited in the search, at the end on the television programme?

5. The character of Robert Jordan? a Clifton Webb character? The initial impact of his severity yet the generous touch? His programme, advertising? His love for his wife and their not having any children? His generosity towards the Scouts, friendship with the Reverend Stone? The encounter with Mike and the scenes and discussions about the suit? His dislike for Mike and especially for his stories at the table?

6. Robert Jordan's trying to understand children? buying the comics and reading them? The discussion about Scouts with the Reverend Stone and his decision to be a Scoutmaster? The unlikeliness of success? The boys' reactions and their rudeness especially about his television show and its title? His coping? for example singing the National Anthem? Taking the boys on their hike and singing, the telling of stories around the camp fire, the search? The effect on the boys, the effect on him?

7. The character of Helen, their clash over the suit, over Mike? Helen's longing to have children, her looking after Mike? Her accusing Robert of not liking him? The effect on him in his search for Mike? The happy ending?

8. The Reverend Stone and his work for the Scouts, the church?

9. The character of Mike? small, the foghorn voice, his stories, the selling of the suit, the meal, his attending the meetings, his being dropped in the rain, the discovery of his true home, his going to the zoo and being bossed, his search for Robert Jordan and rescuing him, the reconciliation, the adoption and the final tribute? The sentiment in the presentation of this boy and his needs?

10. The scout meetings, the various tests and the humour about Jordan's visit to the home for the test, Vernon and his knowing all the answers (a junior version of Robert Jordan)?

11. The comedy routines? the supper during the test? The seriousness of the visit to Mike's home and the problems about his guardian?

12. An enjoyable piece of Americana? the presentation of attitudes in the fifties? Impact now?