Dear Brat

I noticed that one other reviewer gave "Dear Brat" a score of 10....which makes me wonder if we were watching the same film. "Dear Brat" is a film I wanted to like, but Miriam (Mona Freeman) played a character that was so incredibly badly written that it more than strained my ability to buy into the plot. To say her character was very broad and stupid would be an underestimation of what I think about her! I really felt sorry for Ms. Freeman--it must have been hard for her to have to utter such insipid lines with such conviction! While not as omnipresent in the film, Albert (Billy De Wolfe) was also given a tough job, as his part was almost as poorly written as hers!

The film begins with the Senator (Edward Arnold--who is very good in the movie) coming home--only to find that his kooky daughter, Miriam, has started a prison reform organization AND made him their president! He is shocked to say the least. But it gets worse--as she soon brings home an ex-con to rehabilitate! The guy (Lyle Bettger) turns out to be a guy who the Senator sentenced (when he was a judge) to a lengthy prison term years ago--for kidnapping, assault and other VERY serious charges. And, the guy clearly had a grudge for the Senator!! Now the idea of a kooky kid driving her father crazy is not bad--but this stretches the idea clearly WAY beyond the breaking point! The only thing worse might have been to invite Jeffrey Dahmer or Charles Manson home to live with the family! You could certainly understand the Senator getting upset. What I couldn't understand is why he didn't throttle the little brat!!!

The bottom line is that the film could have worked but it was just written poorly. Everyone tried hard in this one (so at least it earns a 3)--but the script was terrible--so bad that my daughter kept begging me to turn it off!! And, I really couldn't blame her. Why do I watch films like this?! I love old films--just not stupid ones! And this is a terribly stupid one.

This is a near farce about a teenager who decides to rehabilitate a criminal by hiring him to work at her father's home. Her father was the judge that sentenced him.

I looked at this because Of Natalie Wood. She was only in the film for the last 20 minutes and only for about 10 minutes screen time. Yet,I wasn't at all disappointed. She's terrific in her few scenes.

There are three delightful performances here. Edward Arnold (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). He plays a senator who is also a thoughtful man and loving father. He's wonderfully relaxed in the role. Billy DeWolfe is one of the few obviously gay actors in Hollywood films of the 40's and 50's. Usually he is just given a couple of scenes as comic relief. Here is plays a significant role in the plot and mugs deliciously through every scene. Mona Freeman is the real star. She is hilarious as the sincere, liberal with a heart of gold who wants to reform all criminals through love and understanding. In a way she foreshadows Gale Storm in "My Little Margy." and Ann Margaret in "Bye, Bye, Birdie." William Seiter directed the classic Astaire-Rodgers film "Roberta". He keeps the laughs coming with a clean clear simple directing style.

If you want to see a beautiful piece of Americana from 1951, this is the film. It may not be Frank Capra, but this film seems to be taking place in the next town over from Pottersville.

It is a gentle giggle from start to finish.