Sitting Pretty

More than any other male movie star, the refined Clifton Webb (1889-1966) caused the moviegoing public to change its image of a leading man. In a day when leading men were supposed to be strong, virile, and brave, Clifton Webb projected an image of flip, acerbic arrogance. He was able to play everything from a decadent columnist ( Laura ) to a fertile father ( Cheaper by the Dozen and The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker ), delivering lines in an urbanely clipped, acidly dry manner with impeccable tim