Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)

The original Yours, Mine and Ours is a good film for families. This movie was based on a book written by Helen Beardsley based on her book "Who Gets The Drumstick?". The film is about the true story of Helen North (played by Lucille Ball) and Frank Beardsley played by Henry Fonda) who met, married and combined their families of her eight children and his ten children. They would eventually have two more together. It is very interesting to see how such a large family learns to function and perform everyday tasks for so many people when the rest of us find it hard for just a few people.

I read the book and it is quite different from the movie, most likely to make it more entertaining. Many things were changed from the way the Beardsley's met, to where he was stationed in the Navy, to the birth order of the children. I found this movie more to my liking than the modern version starring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo, but I'm sure that today's kids would prefer the modern version. This movie is good, old fashioned, clean comedy.

The movie rights were purchased by Desilu Productions which was the production company owned by Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. The movie also included Tim Matheson as Frank's oldest son Greg, and a very young Tracey Nelson (Ricky Nelson's real life daughter) as one of Frank's youngest daughters. The Beardsley's actually lived in the Monterey/Carmel area and when Frank retired, he opened a candy store. Helen worked for the California Governor's Commission on the Status of Women while Ronald Reagan was Governor. Helen died in Healdsburg in 2000 and Frank later re-married.

Entertaining for the whole family, I own it.

114 Minutes. Not Rated. I give this movie THREE AND ONE HALF STARS.