MovieChat Forums > Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) Discussion > Dad and the Southern Belle

Dad and the Southern Belle

posted 16 years ago by Karl Self
12 replies | jump to latest

I just can't figure out what that scene was about. Father Frank Gilbreth chaperones his daughter at the school dance, but gets distracted by a red-haired Southern Belle, and soon becomes the toast of the shindig.

What was that scene all about? First of, that girl was the anathema to what he wanted his daughter to live up to, in that she wore makeup and had obviously been around the block more often than Mario Andretti (this was spelled out in the movie when she repeatedly lets on that the perfume she's wearing had been given to her by a former boyfriend, viz "a little boy I knew"). Secondly, does the movie really expect us to believe that a bunch of teenagers are eager to become acquainted with the only dad who cared to chaperone his daughter at the dance?

So, what do you think was that scene about? Is it meant to show us that being a reactionary can be sexy? I don't get it.

[–] shalmayan-1 16 years ago

I just watched this scene on TCM.

JMHO...but, I think the father liked the younger woman's interest in him (it probably made him feel young), and/or he realized that once he got to know them, that she (and the other young people with their new ideas) "weren't so bad" after all.

Secondly...My brother in law has chaperoned his daughter's dances and parties, and my husband has our friend's children speak with him constantly, (going out of their way to come and talk with him, etc). They are both very good listeners and cool guys.

I believe kids really DO want attention from grown ups. They may not want their parents advice, but from experience, they certainly DO want the opinion and friendship of adults (their parents friends).

I learned a lot from listening to my parents friends. For example, every one of my mother's girlfriends told me, "Marry THAT boy!". I did marry him, and they were right!! :D It's the best decision I ever made. I often give advice to teenagers who need a listening ear or shoulder to cry on...

Be well...

Shal...

[–] carolyn38104 16 years ago

I just caught the last half today and remembered having enjoyed it so much in theaters and on TV several times. While checking the cast on IMDb, I looked for the Southern Belle and couldn't find a credit for her. Wonder if she was one of the "bit parts"?

[–] shalmayan-1 16 years ago

Her name is Betty Lynn :)

I saw her too and mentioned to my husband,
"Oh, look! Barney Fife's girlfriend, Thelma Lou! From the "Andy Griffith Show""

Saw your post and looked her up under the "Character Search"

Be well...

Shal... :)

[–] kltaylor108 16 years ago

Also while she and Ann are in the ladies room, she says something like, my Daddy complains about makeup and my hair, but I notice he doesn't complain when it's someone else's daughter.

[–] justaudrey 13 years ago

Really great comment, Shal. :)

[–] shalmayan-1 13 years ago

Thank you, justaudrey :)

[–] Karl Self 16 years ago

To kind of answer my own question, I guess back when the movie was released, if a father wanted his daughter to look and act like a nun, but didn't mind it if an attractive young floozy showed interest in him, this was seen as quaint and funny. Whereas nowadays it would be seen more as a case of double standards.

At least that's how I make sense of that scene.

[–] gribfritz2 12 years ago

You make it sound like that poor southern girl was a filthy whore from the gutter. You insinuate she slept around simply because a former boyfriend bought her some perfume? That's a huge leap to make.

The entire point of the scene was to show these crazy kids with their "loose morals" and "skimpy clothes" were just nice normal kids and not as sex-crazed and wild as the older generation believed them to be. Dad finally realizes it and joins in the fun.

[–] greenbananas 15 years ago

Great question, and I don't have the answer. I watched the movie last night and loved it. I also thought it was a strange scene, although any man is softened up by a pretty girl, yes? I thought it was one of those career defining movies for Clifton Webb. I already was a huge fan of Myrna Loy.

[–] Karl Self 15 years ago

Thanks for making me feel less alone on that one. ;)

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

Karl Self says > First of, that girl was the anathema to what he wanted his daughter to live up to, in that she wore makeup and had obviously been around the block more often than Mario Andretti (this was spelled out in the movie when she repeatedly lets on that the perfume she's wearing had been given to her by a former boyfriend, viz "a little boy I knew")

The way you describe the girl is probably how Mr. Gilbreth saw the modern teenager. They were experimenting; new hairstyles; new fashions; different music, etc. They were just doing the things teenagers tend to do but some parents assume their kids will spiral out of control; some do but not all.

At the dance he learns they’re not that bad. They’re not very different from his kids. They were raised right and were generally good kids. They’ve just hit the stage when it’s natural for them to want to assert their independence.

Secondly, does the movie really expect us to believe that a bunch of teenagers are eager to become acquainted with the only dad who cared to chaperone his daughter at the dance?

It’s not all that unusual. Kids sometimes avoid their own parents when growing up but they get along pretty well with other adults. My parents chaperoned a lot of class trips from the time we were little so all my siblings’ and my classmates, peers, and friends knew them and loved having them around. My parents were old-fashioned but our house was the place in which everyone felt comfortable and safe. It was a double standard because we weren’t allowed to visit friends unless my parents knew theirs.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]