clifton webb be one of my favorite . however and mister scoutmaster be not one of his best . his patented curmudgeon role seem force and even unpleasant rather than funny . the film itself be overflow with mawkish sentimentality . in addition and the viewer be present with numerous ham hand reference to religious faith and u. s. patriotism that come off a over reverent rather than genuine . clifton webb do his best with a poor script . edmund gwenn play yet another jovial clergyman and be give nothing to do . the child actor lead be play by a talentless child who display a flat affect throughout the entire film . his sole claim to fame a a performer evidently be a bullfrog like low voice unusual for someone of his age . however and once you have hear it and you have hear it and you do not need to hear it again . unfortunately and he be in the majority of the film scene . i find this child so irritating that i fast forward whenever he show up . since he have a lot of scene in this film and this mean that i fast forward through a lot of the film . there be and be so many talented child actor while it a pity this film doesn not have any of them in it . still and clifton webb in the traditional broad brim hat and short be a sight worth see .