Father Goose

Rating:
Summary: Cary Grant Out Of A Tuxedo
Review: Cary Grant stars as an ex-professor who has sought refuge (and isolation) in the South Pacific while World War Two rages around him. He is forced to volunteer as a lookout on a remote island, which instead of being invaded by the Japanese, becomes overrun by seven schoolgirls and their teacher Leslie Caron, survivors of a plane crash. Although charming is usually the word used to describe the typical Cary Grant character, it doesn't work in this film. The gruff and frustrating Grant wants nothing to do with the girls or their stubborn teacher, but it's a small island and they're hard to avoid. Grant and Caron work very well together in this blend of comedy and some action. It's a change of pace for both, and they acquit themselves nicely with a good chemistry and sense of character. Grant also has a number of terrific moments with Trevor Howard, his military contact via the radio. Directed with a light touch by Ralph Nelson, he wisely lets Grant do his thing and let's the script speak for itself. It's good to see Cary Grant out of a tuxedo for a change, and it's great to see a comedy that comes from character and situation, rather than put-down one-liners.

Rating:
Summary: Fancy and Reality play well together
Review: Essentially a comedy FATHER GOOSE dabbles into some of the realities of World War II in the South Pacific. Credit for this can be given to Cary Grant's surly yet sophisticated approach to this type of role and Ralph Nelson's direction which uses comedy as a canvas to spin his tale tinged with the realities and frailties that are encountered in life's many challenges not to mention relationships. I could not help but think as I watched this film that Cary Grant really stood his ground as an actor because the seven little girls really could have stole this picture away from most adult actors. Leslie Caron is also good as she brings a sense of level headed femininity to counter Cary Grant's gruff response to having his solitude encroached on by "civilization" and all that implies. This is an enjoyable film.

Rating:
Summary: One of Cary's best
Review: Even though Cary Grant stepped away from playing the suave, sophisticated man, in this movie, Father Goose, you can't take the charm and sophistication out of him. He does a wonderful job as Walter Eckland, a scruffy, ex-professor who just wants to live freely and without responsibility. There is a certain electricity between Grant and Carron in this movie. It's an excellent, yet eccentric, love story that is a must for any classic collection.

Rating:
Summary: One of Cary's best
Review: Even though Cary Grant stepped away from playing the suave, sophisticated man, in this movie, Father Goose, you can't take the charm and sophistication out of him. He does a wonderful job as Walter Eckland, a scruffy, ex-professor who just wants to live freely and without responsibility. There is a certain electricity between Grant and Carron in this movie. It's an excellent, yet eccentric, love story that is a must for any classic collection.

Rating:
Summary: A Charming Comedy
Review: FATHER GOOSE is a charming comedy about a decadent American expatriot (Cary Grant) who gets pressed into service as a coastwatcher by the Australian Navy during World War II. Grant is stationed on a lonely South Pacific island until he unwittingly is forced to rescue Leslie Caron and her band of young French refugees who join him at his outpost.Trevor Howard is an Australian Navy Commander who maintains radio contact with Grant.

Much credit goes to Director Ralph Nelson and Peter Stone with his fellow screenwriters. Cary Grant is superb as usual and Leslie Caron is gorgeous.

FATHER GOOSE won an Oscar for Best Original Story and Screenplay. It was also nominated for Best Editing and Sound.

Rating:
Summary: Light But Wonderful Romantic Comedy
Review: For romantic comedies, this one is hard to beat. Cary Grant plays an alcoholic American who is trying to escape the world (interesting, given what psychology now knows about alcoholism) in early WWII, but gets coerced by the Australian Navy into being the sole inhabitant of a beautiful little island in the South Pacific, with the job of spotting and reporting Japanese aircraft. To keep him on his toes, they have hidden his booze and they tell him where it is, one bottle at a time, when he makes a confirmed aircraft sighting.

So far, so good. Now, throw into the mix waif-like but spoiled and prim (or is she?) Leslie Caron, who is abandoned by a sunken transport vessel, along with the small group of girls from a private school for whom she is responsible. They end up stuck on the same island as Cary Grant, and a battle of wills ensues. The love-hate relationship between Grant and Caron features wonderful romantic/comedic banter, with the inevitable outcome: they fall in love and get married by radio. The only question then is whether the Japanese will let them live long enough to escape and have a honeymoon.

When you see Cary Grant in "To Catch a Thief", "Charade", "I Was a Male War Bride", or "North By Northwest", it's hard to imagine him as a decrepit, shiftless, boozing bum. He portrays it wonderfully in "Father Goose", while giving everyone hints of the more-refined underneath. After seeing Leslie Caron in "Father Goose", one wonders why she wasn't in MANY more American movies. This film makes a pleasant way to spend any afternoon or evening, and is worth buying (over renting) because it's enjoyable in repeated viewings.

Rating:
Summary: Cary Grant at his best!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I am a HUGE Cary Grant fan and have most of his movies. "Father Goose" is one of his very finest. Cary Grant could truly play a wide variety of roles and in this film he proves his superb comic ability and timing. He is perfectly teamed with Leslie Caron and the children. "Father Goose" was made toward the end of Cary Grant's career but he had only improved as an actor. This is a wonderful film that only get's better after repeated viewings!!

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL COMEDY!
Review: I am deffinatly not the type of person to watch old movies. I don't likE them and find them irritating but when I saw Father Goose I all but busted a gut laughing. This movie truly is a wonderful comedy with a hint of romance and action! This movie is perfect for parents and kids to watch together.

Rating:
Summary: A True Classic -- in my eyes!
Review: I fell in love with this movie when I was about 5 years old. And eleven years later? It still holds a special place in my heart. A truely funny movie. Great performance by Cary Grant. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I'm not sure of anyone I've ever known, or of any personality type who was not or would not be entertained by this movie.