Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Room for One More Blu-ray Movie Review

Mother knows best.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III March 2, 2021

Based on the autobiography of foster mom extraordinaire Anna Perrott Rose, Norman Taurog's Room for One More is an enjoyable family comedy starring real-life newlyweds Betsy Drake and Cary Grant -- her first and only husband, but his third of five wives. He's top-billed for obvious reasons but Betsy gets more face time: its story is told mostly from the perspective of Anna Rose (Drake), who lost her fourth child and knows that three aren't enough. Eager to adopt from pushy orphanage owner Miss Kenyon (Lurene Tuttle), she ends up with surly 13-year-old Jane (Iris Mann)... much to the dismay of her her engineer husband George AKA "Poppy" (Grant), who's annoyed with Anna's oversized heart and willingness to take in anyone -- or anything -- that needs a home. The ship still runs smoothly despite their lack of compromise but, once Anna takes in yet another orphan for the summer, a breaking point is reached.

Room for One More reminds us that, despite all the hassles and frustration hard-wired into parenthood, its rewards make the hardships worth enduring. But the early weeks are rough road indeed: newcomers Jane and Jimmy John (Clifford Tatum Jr.) have serious emotional and physical needs -- hers from abusive parents and an attempted suicide, his from unforgiving leg braces -- and an awful lot of trouble fitting in with the Rose family, which lead a number of violent outbursts that are either physical or material. Yet the parents' boundless patience -- or at least tolerance -- of their nasty behavior eventually wins out, albeit with the burnt-out side affect of an almost sexless relationship between Anna and Poppy in recent months... or is it years? (Not for lack of trying on Poppy's part, though.) Even without the ridiculous on-screen enforcement of separate beds for 1950s married couples, they'd be using them anyway.

Despite all that stress and prolonged celibacy, Room for One More has an extremely warm atmosphere that deftly avoids the squeaky-clean trappings of most family films from just about any decade. It's a playful but mature picture that finds time for just about everyone to struggle and shine, despite the fact that Anna and Poppy's biological kids -- Trot (Gay Gordon), Teenie (George Winslow), and little Tim (Malcolm Cassell) -- often play second fiddle to the two newcomers. But, like their parenting, it's a tricky balancing act that's mostly well- handled, not to mention bolstered by respectable child performances and a breezy pace that never wears out its welcome. What's more is that Room for One More avoids a too-sugary ending but still has a satisfying amount of closure, along with a pre-coda climax that feels extremely authentic if you've ever shared the excitement of a child's achievement via public recognition.

Ultimately, the joint appeal of Betsy Drake and Cary Grant are what make Room for One More shine so brightly. She's wonderfully headstrong while carrying the most of the self-imposed load and he's as charmingly sarcastic as usual, a few years away from the romantic leading man portion of his career (An Affair to Remember, Charade ) while still showing early glimpses of the reluctant father figure who held together later films like Father Goose. Succeeded ten years later by a very short-lived TV series (which itself never left the looming shadow of My Three Sons), the durably entertaining Room for One More still holds up as both a mid-career high point for Grant and Drake -- both would leave showbiz entirely in the mid-1960s, just a few years after their divorce and for entirely different reasons.

Warner Archive Collection's sparkling new Blu-ray practically resurrects this forgotten little gem single-handedly with its terrific 1080p transfer, a typically robust effort that showcases the film's understated but attractive cinematography with energy to spare. Although it comes up a little short on extras, the main feature's obvious appeal makes WAC's Blu-ray a great blind buy... or, of course, an ideal way to revisit this lightweight but effective little comedy.

Room for One More Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sourced from a recent 2K scan of preservation elements, Warner Archive continues to impress with a very film-like and visually consistent 1080p transfer that showcases the work of proficient cinematographer Robert Burks, known mostly for his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock. Fittingly, there are some very interesting lighting choices here and WAC's transfer supports the film's deep black levels nicely with silvery, smooth contrast and no obvious signs of black crush. Fine details are quite good and highlight the Rose family's way-too-neat-for-six-kids house as well as the rustic seaside cabin where the family bulldozes Poppy and Anna's second honeymoon. The natural grain, as always, is given high priority and contributes to a lot of this transfer's visual appeal; though I'm unsure if Room for One More was shot on nitrate film as its use was in decline in 1952, it sure has a few telltale signs. Either way, this is a stunning transfer that likely meets or exceeds original theatrical showings and die-hard fans will be enormously pleased.

As usual, Warner Archive has uploaded a few YouTube videos showing off the new transfer, including the four-minute opening sequence, an early battle between Jane and her new parents (above), and the theatrical trailer.

Room for One More Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This by-the-book DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track, like most titles in WAC's back catalog, is presented as a split mono mix that preserves the film's one-channel roots. Dialogue is, for the most part, crystal clear with very minimal ADR and it's balanced very well with the background effects and Max Steiner's playful score. Although it's unavoidably a little thin on the high end, there are no obvious drop-outs, pops, or other age-related defects, with an overall sonic presence that stays front and center with a good amount of weight. It's obvious the the source was in fine shape and, as usual, Warner Archive has given it yet another purist-friendly presentation with no added sweetening.

Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included during the film; they're formatted nicely with no sync issues.

Room for One More Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray ships in a standard keepcase with original one-sheet poster art and a few period-specific bonus features. And if 66% of these bonus features are just cartoons, they might as well be really great ones, right?

• Classic Looney Tunes Shorts

• Operation: Rabbit (7:18) - This enjoyable Chuck Jones-directed showdown between Bugs Bunny and Wile E. Coyote (Super Genius) offers a fun little twist on the usual Road Runner formula.
• Feed the Kitty (7:22) - Another great 1952 Jones short and a personal favorite, this one features tough bulldog Marc Anthony's adoption of a cute little tuxedo cat, nicknamed Pussyfoot or Cleo in other cartoons. (Two follow-up shorts were created later during the 1950s, but they're not nearly as good.)

• Theatrical Trailer (2:37) - This lively vintage promotional piece can also be seen here.

Room for One More Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A delightful family comedy starring Cary Grant and his then-wife Betsy Drake, Room for One More hits a lot of the right notes if you've ever felt the joy, frustration, and excitement of being a parent. Although plenty has changed since the film's release almost 70 years ago, it holds up reasonably well and can still be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. Warner Archive's terrific Blu-ray is another technically polished effort with great A/V specs and, though the extras are light, any excuse to watch classic Looney Tunes is a good one. Recommended to established fans or as a blind buy!