Rating: 
Summary: A romantic comedy in the old style
Review: If you liked the original ODD COUPLE - slob and compulsive neatnik thrown together in the same apartment - or HEAVEN KNOWS, MR. ALLISON - tough guy WWII Marine marooned on an enemy-held South Pacific island with a pretty nun, then you should enjoy FATHER GOOSE starring Cary Grant, Leslie Caron and Trevor Howard. I saw it once again on the telly this past weekend while doing the ironing, and I'm fortunate to be old enough to have an appreciation of all three films.Grant is Walter Eckland, an antisocial, unkempt escapee from "civilization" that spends his time bumming around the South Seas on an old yacht. At the start of WWII, he's coerced into service as a "coast watcher", an observer stationed on a remote island as a lookout for Japanese planes or ships, by the wily and dry-witted local Royal Navy authority figure, Comdr. Houghton (Howard). Eckland is bribed with booze to perform in His Majesty's service. One of his first assignments is to boat over to another island and rescue a fellow coast watcher. But, on arriving, he finds only his colleague's grave and the Caron character, Catherine Freneau, the daughter of a French government official, who's been stranded with a bevy of underage schoolgirls of which she has charge. Walter naturally takes them back to his island and his hovel, where the differences between the two adults soon surface. To Eckland, Freneau becomes "Goody Two Shoes", while, to the latter, her knight in stained armor becomes the "Filthy Beast". While admittedly silly entertainment, FATHER GOOSE is a delightful romantic comedy that doesn't, like some of the current Tinseltown offerings, rely for laughs on sensitive body parts being caught in zippers, bodily fluids masquerading as hair gel, or carnal knowledge of apple pies. This film has Class, chiefly due to the presence of Grant, who character demonstrates more suavity unshaven and without socks than any one of today's crop of male actors dressed up in a tux. (Perhaps only Sean Connery, Robert Redford and Paul Newman are close to being in the same league.) Caron's strong-willed and very feminine Freneau is more than a match for Eckland's obstinately boorish masculinity - a pairing made in heaven, or at least Hollywood. Perhaps my high esteem for this film is more a function of nostalgia. But there're a lot of other films from that same period of my youth that are eminently forgettable, so I have to think that FATHER GOOSE is a cut above.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: One of my all time favorite movies this is perfect for any family to watch. I remember my father watching this with me as a little girl and I was thrilled to see it out on dvd. Leslie Caron does an excellent job as a 'prudish' french woman who can turn almost any situation to her favor. The interchanges between Cary Grant and Raloh Nelson are some of my favorite dialogues. Witty and adorable. Father Goose is sure to be a family favorite.
Rating:
Summary: "Is it getting hot in here?"
Review: One of the immortal Cary Grant's last films, this particular one is a romantic, witty little gem. Well-scripted, well-acted, and full of really weird humor, this is one to treasure. Walter Eckland has no intention of getting himself involved in World War II -- no intention, that is, until he is "drafted" into service to the Allies. Basically he needs to keep an eye open for the Japanese. He reluctantly obeys, but his mission suddenly takes a weird turn when he rescues a slew of civilians: the prim, devious schoolteacher Miss Freneau, and her seven little girl charges. Before Eckland knows what's happening, they've taken over his little house, his clothes, his food -- and his whisky. (It's the last one that really makes him nuts) To his horror, they won't be picked up for at least three weeks. An extended, very witty battle of the sexes takes place, as Miss Freneau dodges and weaves around Eckland, and Eckland tries to retain some mastery over his domain. But a series of crises (comical and serious) force Eckland and Freneau not only to deal with the Japanese, but also with each other. Cary Grant shows more of his versatility in this film, since his comical talents are usually passed by in favor of his rugged sexiness. That sexiness is buried in this one, under the scraggliness of a beachcomber who is rebelling against the world with alcohol. Revelations about his past are somehow quite appropriate; as a character in another of Grant's movies said, "you have unexpected depth." Leslie Caron, whom I had previously seen only in "Gigi," is also in rare form here. She makes Miss Freneau both sympathetic and mildly repressed, with a dry wit and a very devious mind. She also manages one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen in a movie, where Miss Freneau gets drunk after being bitten by a snake. Her acrobatics ("Ooooooh, is it getting hot in here?"), weird confessions ("I'm a picture straightener!") and the occasional lapse into insanity ("Tell me, I want to know, what did my blood taste like?") are too funny for words. Other highlights include the chaplain and the accordian player, and the delightfully deadpan Trevor Howard as a Navy commander who's not afraid to play dirty. The writing is excellent; the mutual realizations by Freneau and Eckland may seem a little hasty and contrived, but that can be easily passed by. This is fine to watch with the kiddies -- there is virtually no profanity, no smut, a little non-bloody violence, and children will probably enjoy the antics of the seven little girls (such as the of-repeated whine "I wanna go home!"). There is one scene of drunkenness, however, and we are treated to sly indicators of more mature material ("he... he made a GESTURE, sir!" "Oooh, he called the captain a dirty name"). The little girls themselves are remarkably well-acted by believable child actors, except for the oldest one. One particular highlight is the little girl who keeps biting Eckland's hand. Recommended especially for romantic comedy fans, and for fans of Caron and Grant. Or simply watch if you're in the mood for fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Touches all the right buttons.
Review: They don't make stars like Cary Grant anymore, his combination of maturity, good looks, and comedic timing defines triple threat. And subtle, I attribute much of Grant's strength on the screen to his downplay of situation. A movie like Father Goose usually sets up a comedic crisis, onto which more and more outlandish crises are stacked. Through it all, Mr. Grant keeps his powder dry. I personally prefer "Operation Petticoat" (directed by Blake Edwards) for 'boys will be boys' comedy. But the romanticism of Father Goose (Leslie Caron is great) makes this film play far better to couples. You cannot go wrong with either.
Rating:
Summary: A real gem!
Review: This is a great romantic comedy. Cary Grant plays the drunken recluse so well that you really feel for him. The story line is great, the casting is superb, and the acting is engaging. I really enjoy the part about the snake bite and associated true confessions...watch this one and see what I mean.
Rating:
Summary: To Cary, Or Not To Cary, What Will I Grant.
Review: This is Cary Grant at his best, he is about the most virsital
actor in his time. and when he did Father Goose he realy did it
good. The show is fun. humorous, and has a great story line.
I put this movie in with my all time favorites. and a must to see. get the popcorn ready and get the kids set down and enjoy the show. My kids loved it as a family tridition, they watched it many times. I promise you will enjoy it too.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie, a must see!
Review: This movie was not well recieved when it first came out because Grant was not his usual self. He was totally out of character. I loved this movie because of it. Grant and Caron are a wonderful team. It gets exciting, and the humor is great. Grant may have seemed a bit rough and dirty at times, but never a beast. The adventure that the "rude, foulmouth, drunken, filthy beast" and "Miss Goody two shoes" have makes this movie a must see. I recomend this to every one. --Carrie, age 18.
Rating:
Summary: Goody Two Shoes and the Filthy Beast
Review: Walter Christopher Eckland (Cary Grant) A drifter, has obtained a boat from someone fleeing the oncoming war. Due to a lack of coast watchers (the "should have been" watcher getting himself eaten), Walter is pressed into service. Certain measures were taken to get him there and to encourage his participation. On a mission to save a fellow cost watcher Walter ends up with Catherine Louise Marie Ernestine Freneau (Leslie Caron), who is escorting several schoolgirls out of harms way and was stranded. Place any man and woman on an island toss in some schoolgirls, a little liquor, snake, tie, Japanese, and you have a mixture for comedy.
Rating:
Summary: A scruffy Cary Grant? But it works. Bigtime.
Review: We're used to seeing Grant in a tuxedo carrying a martini glass--when you think "debonair", the picture that goes with that word is that of Cary Grant. I heard somewher that he was on a short list of candidates to play James Bond in "Dr. No" before they settled on Connery. In this film, to say Grant "dresses down" is putting it mildly--as he plays a former college professor turned beachcomber who is caught lifting supplies from an Australian naval base during WW II and drafted into their coastwatcher corps to stay out of prison. Leslie Caron figures in as a governess of a group of young daughters of diplomatic personnel who are stranded on a fellow coastwatcher's island, but now that Grant's colleague has been killed in a strafing run, Grant's their new host. Grant hardly feels like a host, and the negative chemistry between him and Caron makes for quite a few laughs. But in my opinion, one of the biggest yucks in this film is a sight/ sound gag early on. After Grant is loaded up with supplies at the base (now voluntarily), he shoves off. The base's exec expresses his doubts that the commander (Trevor Howard) can trust Grant not to take the provisions and run. Howard pooh-poohs his subordinate's worries. The next scene shows Grant steaming along liesurely to a woodwind version of the film's theme "Pass Me By" on the soundtrack. The music shifts to a Sousa-esque brass band version of the tune as the camera shifts to a huge gunboat rumbling along in Grant's wake. Absolutely great! And then some.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Cary
Review: You can never go wrong with Cary Grant, especially in the few films, such as this one, when he steps out of his suave stereotype. This charming story will have you laughing throughout!
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