My Favorite Summer Movies - Father Goose

I'm back today with another one of my favorite old movies, Father Goose!  While this movie doesn't necessarily indicate that it is supposed to be summer, the island setting definitely lends a summertime feel for me!

I love just about everything that Cary Grant stars in, Arsenic and Old Lace, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, or That Touch of Mink, just to name a few! But Father Goose is definitely one of my favorites!  Lesley Caron is an actrees I've only seen in a few films, including Father Goose.  I liked her in Gigi but I'm not familiar with many other of her films. Perhaps I'll have to check them out and see if I can add a few new-to-me favorites! But the chemistry between Cary and Lesley is fabulous and watching Cary be charmed by a group of litle girls is simply endearing!

The story is set at the height of World War II, when Walter Ecklund (Grant), is coersed into taking a postion as a temportary lookout for Japanese war planes on a remote island. But when another lookout turns up missing, Ecklund is sent on a welfare check where he discovers chaperone Catherine Freneau and her seven young charges, who were sent to the island on an emergency evacuation. Forced to return his post with Freneau and the girls in tow, the eight island mates must now learn how to live together without being discovered by the enemy and becoming enemies themselves. Ecklund's drinking habit and poor manners, and Freneau's strict standards set the stage for some hilarious debate!

And while I love the chemistry and banter between Grant/Caron, it's the children in the movie who really make it for me, especially their interactions with Grant.

Seven girls, Harriet (Harry), Elizabeth, who develops a bit of a crush on Ecklund, Christine, Jenny, who wouldn't talk for awhile until Ecklund helps her find her voice again, Anglique, Dominque and Anne who mistakes a stick for a snake and convinces Walter that Ms. Freneua is dying. I would have to say that of all the girls Jenny is probably my favorite, and I particularly like Harriet, or Harry, as she prefers to be called. In the beginning Ecklund is all but repulsed at the idea of sharing an island with a bossy woman and seven little girls, and the women do take some liberties in "setting up house". But it is sweet to see as over time they all begin to soften and grow to care for one another.

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Father Goose is a delightful movie and one that I would recommend for families with older middle school to high school aged children primarily due to Grant's character having a drinking problem. Though it adds a humerous element to the storyline, it is undeniable that Walter Ecklund loves his whiskey, and hits the bottle, frequently. Please understand that this is simply my recommendation based on my own personal experience. It is up to each individual family to decide what they deem as appropriate viewing for the children in their household. You can watch the trailer above to give you a feel for the content. If you've watched Father Goose and loved it, or not . . . I'd love to hear from you! And if you've never seen it and decide to give it a try, let me know!

Until then, my friends, keep savoring the summer days!

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