''Dear Brat'' is a 1951 American

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by

William A. Seiter William Alfred Seiter (June 10, 1890 – July 26, 1964) was an American film director. Life and career Seiter was born in New York City. After attending Hudson River Military Academy, Seiter broke into films in 1915 as a bit player at Mack Senne ...

and starring Mona Freeman and

Billy De Wolfe William Andrew Jones (February 18, 1907 – March 5, 1974), better known as Billy De Wolfe, was an American character actor. He was active in films from the mid-1940s until his death in 1974. Early life and early stage career Born William Andr ...

. It is the third in a series following '' Dear Ruth'' (1947) and ''

Dear Wife ''Dear Wife'' is a 1949 comedy film starring Joan Caulfield and William Holden. It is the sequel to ''Dear Ruth'', which was based on the Broadway play of the same name by Norman Krasna. Plot Miriam Wilkins is a teenage girl who is campaigning ...

'' (1949).

Plot

Miriam Wilkins has founded an association for rehabilitation of former prisoners, and her father is unknowingly the group's honorary president. As convict Mr. Baxter is set free on parole, Miriam she sees an opportunity for action. She hires Baxter as a gardener, allowing him live in a room over the garage. However, Baxter's sentence had been imposed by Judge Wilkins, now a senator, causing the situation in the house to become chaotic.

Cast

* Mona Freeman as Miriam Wilkins *

as Albert * Edward Arnold as Senator Wilkins *

Lyle Bettger Lyle Stathem Bettger (February 13, 1915 – September 24, 2003) was an American character actor who had roles in Hollywood films and television from the 1950s onward, often portraying villains. One such role was the wrathfully jealous elephant ...

as Mr. Baxter * Natalie Wood as Pauline

Production

In March 1950, Paramount announced a sequel to ''

'' called ''Dear Mom''. Arthur Sheekman and Jack Sher were assigned to write the script and Robert Welsch was to produce. In August,

Norman Z. McLeod Norman Zenos McLeod (September 20, 1898 – January 27, 1964) was an American film director, screenwriter and cartoonist. McLeod's most acclaimed work was made in collaboration with major comic performers of the 1930s, and included such films as ...

was suspended by Paramount for refusing to direct the film. That same month, the project was retitled ''Dear Brat''. It was to be based on an original story by Deverey Freeman and produced by

Mel Epstein Mel Epstein (March 25, 1910 in Dayton, Ohio – December 14, 1994) was an American film director and producer. He produced several films, including ''Secret of the Incas'' and ''Alaska Seas''. He also produced episodes of the 1961 television ...

. In October,

was cast, but

Joan Caulfield Beatrice Joan Caulfield (June 1, 1922 – June 18, 1991) was an American actress and model. After being discovered by Broadway producers, she began a stage career in 1943 that eventually led to signing as an actress with Paramount Pictures. In th ...

and William Holden, who had starred in '' Dear Ruth'' and ''Dear Wife'', did not return. Filming began on October 20, with

William Seiter William Alfred Seiter (June 10, 1890 – July 26, 1964) was an American film director. Life and career Seiter was born in New York City. After attending Hudson River Military Academy, Seiter broke into films in 1915 as a bit player at Mack Sennet ...

as director, and was completed by the end of November.

Comic book adaption

Eastern Color The Eastern Color Printing Company was a company that published comic books, beginning in 1933. At first, it was only newspaper comic strip reprints, but later on, original material was published. Eastern Color Printing was incorporated in 19 ...

Movie Love #10 (August 1951)

References

External links

* * {{William A. Seiter 1951 films 1951 comedy films American black-and-white films American comedy films American sequel films 1950s English-language films Films adapted into comics Films directed by William A. Seiter Paramount Pictures films 1950s American films