Synopsis
A widowed Coast Guard admiral and a widowed handbag designer rekindle their romance and quickly marry, bringing together his eight children and her ten. Their sharply different parenting styles create chaos in the crowded household, while the children form an unlikely alliance to sabotage the marriage. As the family struggles to adjust, rivalry gradually gives way to cooperation and affection.
Factoids & Trivia
- The film is a modern remake of the 1968 family comedy of the same name, which starred Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda.
- The blended household contains 18 children: eight from Frank's family and ten from Helen's, including six children Helen and her late husband adopted.
- Although the story is set in New London, Connecticut, much of the production took place in California. Exterior material was filmed at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London.
- Christian rock band Hawk Nelson performs "Bring Em' Out" during the party sequence. The song was written specifically for the film and features Drake Bell.
- The film was released in U.S. theaters on November 23, 2005. It earned approximately $72.7 million worldwide against an estimated $45 million budget.
- Paramount Home Entertainment released the film on VHS and DVD on February 28, 2006, making it one of the later major movies to receive a VHS release.