Father Goose (1964)

   "...an extremely accomplished craftsman... "

With Leslie Caron.

Father Goose - Review is taken from 'The Films of Cary Grant' by Donald Deschner (1973):

"Normally, I am less than enthusiastic about the way fantasy and reality are blended in Hollywood comedies.  I must say I found the mixture in Father Goose very engaging.  The film was co-authored by Peter Stone (who also wrote Grant's recent success Charade) and directed by Ralph Nelson (Lilies of the Field).  Both men appear to have an unusual flair for combining tongue-in-cheek wackiness with honest human insight to produce a very palatable entertainment package.  

The difference between Grant and most other old-line movie stars, who also essentially played themselves on the screen, is that he is an extremely accomplished craftsman and also has a highly developed sense of how to choose a script that does well by him and that he can do well by.  I thought that Miss Caron was delightful in a role that was an off-beat combination of propriety, gumption and earthly good sense."

- Moira Walsh, America

New Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36 -
Number 71 - Father Goose (Lobby Card Style)

Part Of

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Quote From Today - December 24th 2022

On This Day - December 24th 2021

On This Day - December 24th 2020

The Grass is Greener (1960)

   "...a handsome production in Technicolor with lovely shots of England... "

The Grass is Greener - Review is taken from 'The Films of Cary Grant' by Donald Deschner (1973):

"The best thing about The Grass is Greener is its title, which fits so well an inexplicable set of circumstances.  The worst thing about the picture is that producer-director Stanley Donen forgot he was making a movie, and in spite of all its glitter and glamorous cast, this film is awfully static and talky - and no fresher and greener than those comedies that used to turn up on our stages regularly in the thirties.  

The script that Hugh and Margaret Williams wrote from their popular London stage comedy is only so-so funny, but Donen has given his picture a handsome production in Technicolor with lovely shots of England and the interior and exterior of Grant's elegant mansion.  Brighter than the dialogue is the musical score stemming from Noel Coward's songs.  It's too bad Coward couldn't have written the wisecracks too."

- Philip T. Hartung, The Commonweal

New Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36 -
Number 68 - The Grass is Greener (Lobby Card Style)

Part Of

For more, see also:

Quote From Today - December 23rd 2022

On This Day - December 23rd 2021

On This Day - December 23rd 2020

My Favourite Film of the 1960's...Father Goose(1964)

Father Goose, must be in my top five Cary Grant films.

In his penultimate film, he moves far away from the clean-cut, debonaire persona that appears in the majority of his other films.

He plays, Walter Eckland, a whiskey drinking curmudgeon, who has made peace with the world.

But the world has other ideas, not only in the shape of war in the South Pacific, but Catherine Freneau (Leslie Caron) and her seven schoolgirl charges! Leslie Caron is very funny and a great pairing with Grant.
Trevor Howard is brilliant, as Commander Frank Houghton.


Grant shines and gives a performance that, although rough and ready in appearance...you can still see the charm.

In its opening weekend at Radio City Music Hall it set a new all-time record for a Christmas opening, $210,380.

The dialogue is so good too;

Walter: "All those miles of open sea and back again a man would need something to keep warm, now, wouldn't he"
Frank: "2 Bottles."
Walter: "All of them, Frank."
Frank: "Three."
Walter: "All of them, Frank."
Frank: "Five."
Walter: "All of them, Frank."
Frank: "Got a pencil?"

Walter: "This isn't the Queen Mary. We don't have room for luggage!"

Walter:

"Let me tell you I am not a father figure. I am not a brother figure or an uncle figure or a cousin figure. In fact, the only figure I intend being is a total stranger figure."

Walter:

"Lady, you are making a powerful enemy!"

Walter:

"If you're waiting for the big finale, I'm sorry this is all I do."

Walter: "Hey, here she comes again."

Catherine: "How do you know it's a "she"?"

Walter: "Her mouth is open, now be quiet."

Walter:

"Maybe if you stopped straightening pictures and let men wear their own pants, maybe they'd be able to touch you without asking "permesso.""

Frank: "Oh and Walter. Until we know what we're dealing with, don't try to be a movie hero and suck out the venom."

Stebbings: "Mother Goose is requesting a chaplain."

Frank: "A chaplain? Good heavens, he's killed her."

Stebbings: "No, sir. They want to get married."

Frank: "Married? Goody Two-Shoes and the Filthy Beast?"

Lobby Cards:

Behind the Scenes:

Release date: December 24th, 1964.

Running time: 116 minutes.