<P> The story opens with typical days in the lives of a family in the 1920s, with 12 children and an efficiency engineer as the parent . This includes scenes where Frank employs his unorthodox teaching methods on his children, and classic clashes between conservative parents and their children's desire for more freedom (flashier clothing, make up, etc .). Frank takes every opportunity to study motion and increase efficiency, and even films his children's tonsillectomies to see if there are ways to streamline the operation . </P> <P> After Frank's sudden death, the family agrees that Lillian will continue with her husband's work; this enables the family to remain in their house (rather than move to their grandmother's in California), although, with a widowed working mother and one income, the children will have to assume much greater responsibilities . </P> <Ul> <Li> Clifton Webb as Frank Bunker Gilbreth Sr. (father) </Li> <Li> Jeanne Crain as Ann Gilbreth </Li> <Li> Myrna Loy as Mrs. Lillian Gilbreth (mother) </Li> <Li> Betty Lynn as Deborah Lancaster </Li> <Li> Edgar Buchanan as Dr. Burton </Li> <Li> Barbara Bates as Ernestine Gilbreth </Li> <Li> Mildred Natwick as Mrs. Mebane </Li> <Li> Sara Allgood as Mrs. Monahan </Li> <Li> Jimmy Hunt as William Gilbreth </Li> <Li> Carol Nugent as Lillie Gilbreth </Li> <Li> Norman Ollestad as Frank Gilbreth Jr. (son) </Li> <Li> Evelyn Varden as School Principal </Li> <Li> Craig Hill as Tom </Li> </Ul> <Li> Clifton Webb as Frank Bunker Gilbreth Sr. (father) </Li>

Cast of the original movie cheaper by the dozen
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