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Mister Scoutmaster

  • 1953
  • Approved
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
503
YOUR RATING
Clifton Webb in Mister Scoutmaster (1953)
ComedyFamily

TV star becomes Boy Scout leader to understand youth and save his failing show. During hikes and adventures, he forms special bond with one young scout despite his snobbish nature.TV star becomes Boy Scout leader to understand youth and save his failing show. During hikes and adventures, he forms special bond with one young scout despite his snobbish nature.TV star becomes Boy Scout leader to understand youth and save his failing show. During hikes and adventures, he forms special bond with one young scout despite his snobbish nature.

  • Director
    • Henry Levin
  • Writers
    • Rice E. Cochran
    • Leonard Praskins
    • Barney Slater
  • Stars
    • Clifton Webb
    • Edmund Gwenn
    • George Winslow
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    503
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Henry Levin
    • Writers
      • Rice E. Cochran
      • Leonard Praskins
      • Barney Slater
    • Stars
      • Clifton Webb
      • Edmund Gwenn
      • George Winslow
    • 16User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos3

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    Top cast45

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    Clifton Webb
    Clifton Webb
    • Robert Jordan
    Edmund Gwenn
    Edmund Gwenn
    • Dr. Stone
    George Winslow
    George Winslow
    • Mike Marshall
    • (as George 'Foghorn' Winslow)
    Frances Dee
    Frances Dee
    • Helen Jordan
    Veda Ann Borg
    Veda Ann Borg
    • Blonde
    Orley Lindgren
    Orley Lindgren
    • Ace
    Jimmy Hawkins
    Jimmy Hawkins
    • Herbie Weber
    Jimmy Moss
    • Vernon Swanson
    Sammy Ogg
    • Harold Johnson
    Skip Torgerson
    • Christy Kerns
    Lee Aaker
    Lee Aaker
    • Arthur
    Mickey Little
    • Chick
    Jon Gardner
    • Larry
    Sarah Selby
    Sarah Selby
    • Mrs. Weber
    Amanda Randolph
    • Savannah, the Maid
    Otis Garth
    • Mr. Swanson
    Harry Seymour
    • First Rummage Sale Customer
    Bill McKenzie
    • Andy
    • Director
      • Henry Levin
    • Writers
      • Rice E. Cochran
      • Leonard Praskins
      • Barney Slater
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews16

    6.9503
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    Featured reviews

    7helpless_dancer

    Grumpy old man becomes pack leader

    A middle aged man, Robert Jordan, set in his ways, takes on a boy scout troop after his predecessor leaves under duress. Jordan takes on the pack mostly to learn what the boys like so he can revive his flagging radio program which is losing it's appeal to the younger set. He has a rough go at first with the boys, especially so with Mike, an 8 year old who forms an attachment for the older man which is anything but reciprocated. Do things work out for Jordan and the scouts? Check out this entertaining and amusing film from the old days.
    6HotToastyRag

    Mr. Belvedere in the Scouts

    If you love Mr. Belvedere, chances are you'll like to see Clifton Webb in similar comedies. He didn't always play the structured stuffed shirt, but frequently his audience liked to see him like that. In Mister Scoutmaster, he plays a television personality who hates children but gets roped into becoming a scoutmaster. His wife, Kay Francis, has her heart set on adopting a child, but Edmund Gwenn, in charge at the orphanage, thinks Clifton isn't sincere. To prove it, Clifton volunteers to be a scoutmaster to a bunch of impressionable scouts.

    George Winslow (the child actor with the 'froggy' voice) is a wannabe boy scout who likes to hang around the older boys and Clifton. He's a pathological liar who frequently gets into trouble, but Kay takes a liking to him. While she has it in mind to adopt him, Clifton has his hands full just keeping an eye on him while the other boys are trying to be serious scouts. Do you think the little kid will soften Mr. Belvedere's heart? Check out this family friendly flick to find out. It's not the best in the world, but it won't hurt you.
    10cindy_baker50

    LOVE this movie. Great 50s reminiscence.

    Clifton Webb as "Mr. Scoutmaster" is one of the all-time greats for comedy and remembering an innocence, now diminished in the world. I cannot understand why the networks like American Movie Classics and such do not show this movie, although I have requested it time and again.

    This movie should be shown to children now for its portrayal of loyalty, respect, dedication and resolve to achieve the best possible on an individual basis. There is so much low self-esteem talked about in present daily lives, but this movie, among many, many others, would be a wonderful learning tool for the present-day younger generation to see what can be accomplished by common sense and decency and pride in yourself and your achievements to better yourself. Sad that this type of movie does not appeal to modern audiences. It certainly appealed to us 'baby boomer' generation of yesterday. OLD LESSONS ARE UNIVERSAL AND TIMELESS.
    7weezeralfalfa

    Mixes humor with sentimentality and irony

    Cliften Webb exhibits his signature persona, as a starchy aristocratic middle-aged authority figure: Robert Jordan. Not generally fond of children, but his wife Helen(Francis Dee) expresses a desire for a child, and thinks she's too old to produce one herself. Robert reluctantly agrees to look for an adoption. He decides he needs some activity to get him more in touch with the young generation, and grabs the opportunity of scoutmaster. As you can imagine, he soon regards the scouts as a bunch of savages, at least when assembled in a group. They laugh at his newness at the role.........When he goes calling on a prospective scout, he falls over a bicycle in the dark. A tiny girl answers the door, says her mother told her not to let anyone in, and shuts the door in his face. When he rings the bell again, this is repeated. Luckily, the brother happens to arrive home. The girl lets him in , but again shuts the door on the scoutmaster. The boy lets him in........Meanwhile, a small, shy, cub scout(George Winslow, as Mike) has taken a liking to Mr. Scoutmaster., in his frozen face manner. At first, Robert considers him a pest, but gradually warms up to him, with Helen's encouragement. Eventually, Robert visits his home, and meets the woman(pretty , blonde, Vega Ann Borg) who says she is Mike's unofficial guardian, at present. Robert gets the impression that she is rather neglectful of Mike and of the house. On another occasion, Mike unexpectedly shows up for a boy scout meeting. When Robert tells him he doesn't belong there, he leaves. Robert then is afraid he may get lost, and tells the scouts to scatter and look for him. Robert, himself, then goes looking in the place he most fears that Mike may have gone to. The remainder of the film involves a climactic irony or two...........The screenplay depends on a number of unlikely contrivances, but don't most comedies? George Winslow(Mike) was discovered by Art Linkletter , as having an unusual frozen face persona, and unusual voice. Hollywood embraced him as a comedy element. His most remembered role was in the hit "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". He wasn't able to make the transition to teen or adult actor.
    6danstirling2000

    Light, fun movie but a poor adaptation of an excellent book

    The book (titled 'Be Prepared!')was written as a semi-autobiographical account by Keith Monroe, using Rice Cochran as a pseudonym. Since he was in his 30's at the time the book was published and had been a scoutmaster for only a few years, it has been suggested that many of the experiences belonged to his father, also a scoutmaster for many years. Rumor was that the head of Boy Scouts at the time was enraged by the book, and called for the head of the author. The book, if you can find it, is an excellent read and offers profound insight into the life of a scoutmaster. Clifton Webb's portrayal as a curmudgeonly yet lovable leader, somewhat naive to the behavior of boys, is enjoyable but the movie is more fluff than substance. I must admit my bias, having earned Eagle Scout in the author's troop.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      "Mister Scoutmaster" director Henry Levin and and young cast member Jimmy Hawkins were re-united in 1980 when Mr. Hawkins turned to producing. Jimmy hired Mr. Levin to direct the NBC MOW 'Scout's Honor' starring Gary Coleman. It was loosely based on "Mister Scoutmaster". Mr. Levin died on the set while directing the final scene of 'Scout's Honor'. Mr. Hawkins gathered the cast and crew together the next morning to finish directing the production. Mr. Coleman dedicated the movie in honor of Mr. Levin.
    • Connections
      Remade as Scout's Honor (1980)

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 2, 1953 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Director de demonios
    • Filming locations
      • 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 27m(87 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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