Father Goose
by Ralph Nelson
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Actor: Cary Grant, Jack Good, Leslie Caron, Sharyl Locke, Trevor HowardDirector: Ralph Nelson
Brand: Lions Gate
Cinematographer: Charles Lang
Editor: Ted J. Kent
Producer: Robert Arthur
Writer: Frank Tarloff
Writer: Peter Stone
Writer: S.H. Barnett
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 118 minutes
Published: 2001-09-01
DVD Release Date: 2001-09-18
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Republic Pictures
DVD Reviews of Father Goose
DVD Review: "This is the filthy beast speaking..."
Summary: 4 Stars
By the time Cary Grant, had celebrated his 60th birthday in 1964, he knew it was past time he moved away from his typically elegant lead roles. Accordingly, in the romantic comedy FATHER GOOSE, which is set in WW2, he plays boozing and cantankerous hermit slob Walter Eckland, who is dragooned into the Coastal Watching Service by the Royal Navy and given the code name Mother Goose. He's assigned an island in the Pacific, where he must keep a weather eye out and radio in Japanese plane and ship movements. As an incentive, bottles of whiskey have been stashed all over the isle, and every confirmed enemy sighting from Eckland is compensated with the divulgence of a whiskey bottle's whereabouts.
So, as things stand, matters suck for the surly Eckland, but he is propelled to further heights of aggravation when his island post is invaded by French school mistress Catherine Frenau (Leslie Caron) and her coterie of seven young schoolgirls. From the onset, Eckland and Frenau are engaged in a battle of the sexes as the callous Eckland only wishes to be left alone while Miss Frenau insists on imposing on his time, his hut, and his sundry belongings in order to fend for her charges. And just when Eckland believes that things can't possibly get any worse, the prim and proper Miss Frenau confiscates all the whiskey. So will our hero ever get another sip of booze or be reduced to imbibing coconut juice? Will the kids ever earn the old reprobate's affection? Will he and the French school mistress fall in love? Does a bear crap in the woods?
Cary Grant evidently had wanted Audrey Hepburn for the role of Catherine Frenau, having vastly enjoyed his time with her during CHARADE. Hepburn, however, had prior commitments and, so, Leslie Caron (GIGI, DADDY LONG LEGS) came on board. Caron proves to be appealing in her portrayal of the strait-laced Catherine, and, of course, she's even more ideal for the part in the sense that she actually is French. Her prudish character (she's also a compulsive picture straightener) is offset by her sense of humor, her charm, and her sincere concern for the children. And her legs. Leslie Caron isn't exactly hideous on the eyes.
Cary Grant is still Cary Grant, even at 60 years of age. Unshaven and attired in a bedraggled state for the length of the film, he, nevertheless, exudes a timeless presence. Stripped of his well-bred sophistication, he still has his innate wit and unique style and delivery. Cary Grant without his posh wardrobe is still immensely entertaining, and, even though this isn't his best effort, there are moments here where he's still very capable of making you wish you were him. Also nicely done are his interactions with the kids. He doesn't play it false by behaving nicely and wholesomely towards the children as that would've been opposite to his role's ill-tempered nature. Credit also goes to the wry performance of Trevor Howard, who plays Commander Frank Houghton.
Even though 27 years separate the two leads in age, there is ample chemistry between the two to make the romantic pairing credible. The pixielike loveliness of Caron and the charisma and impeccable timing of Grant, as well as a pleasing, light-hearted story that Disney would've tortured members of the Mickey Mouse Club to get the rights to, all combine to make FATHER GOOSE an old-fashioned and comedic love story. No, it's not quite a classic, but it does showcase a classic star, who, even at the nadir of his career, still has the wherewithal to get the girl and win the audience. Is it a wonder the American Film Institute named him the second Greatest Male Star of All Time in American cinema (the first being Bogie)?
Description of Father Goose
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