Sitting Pretty

More than any other movie star of his generation, Clifton Webb (1889-1966) caused the movie-going public to change its idea of a leading man. In the days when leading men were supposed to be strong, virile and brave, Webb played everything from a decadent columnist (Laura) to fertile father (Cheaper by the Dozen) with a characteristic wit, an acidly dry manner, and impeccable timing. Sitting Pretty is his remarkable story. Long before his film career began, Webb was a child actor and later suavely effete song-and-dance man on Broadway. The turning point in his career came in 1941 when his good friend Noel Coward cast him in Blithe Spirit. Director Otto Preminger saw Webb¿s performance and cast him in Laura, for which Webb received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.