Mr. Belvedere Goes to College

Mr. Belvedere Goes to College is a 1949 comedy film starring Clifton Webb, Shirley Temple, and Tom Drake. The movie is directed by Elliott Nugent and is a sequel to the 1948 film Sitting Pretty.

The film opens with Lynn Belvedere (Clifton Webb), a precocious and erudite man, arriving at college to study for his Master's degree. He's come to study for himself, but his financial difficulties require him to accept a job as a houseboy at a fraternity. Meanwhile, his wife, Tacey (the appropriately peppy Shirley Temple), is worried that their two children will suffer in the absence of their father.

As Belvedere starts to work for the fraternity and study for his degree, he starts to make an impression on the other students as well. In particular, he starts to mentor a young man named Elliott (Tom Drake), who is lacking direction in his life. However, Belvedere's sparring with the fraternity boys eventually turns into a full-fledged prank war that threatens to disrupt the entire college.

The film is a charming and witty comedy that manages to balance Belvedere's highbrow musings with the more slapstick elements of college life. Belvedere is a complex and interesting character whose love of learning and inexplicable talent for everything make him an endearing figure. His relationship with Tacey is also a highlight of the film, as they try to balance their love and respect for each other with the challenges of being apart.

Overall, Mr. Belvedere Goes to College is a delightful and entertaining film that showcases the talents of its cast and director. Clifton Webb is particularly excellent as the titular character, managing to imbue Belvedere with a sense of dignity and humor that makes him one of the most beloved characters of the 1940s. Anyone looking for a great comedy that's both smart and funny would do well to check out this classic film.