[7]

Cary Grant already has three children and little time alone with his wife (Betsy Drake), but that doesn't stop her from bringing home a few troubled foster children. Room for One More is a sweet comedy with just enough dramatic heft. Grant (at his droll, beleaguered best) and Drake have some great exchanges, especially after one of their boys inquires where babies come from. Grant draws the figure of a woman in the sand and explains. Drake then comes along and asks what the drawing is.

“A woman,” he answers.

“It’s not a very good likeness.”

“Well, I was drawing from memory.”

Clifford Tatum Jr and Iris Mann, as the two foster children, carry the weight of the film’s emotional appeal, but the schmaltz is administered in acceptable doses. What can I say? I was moved and I laughed — a very pleasant surprise.