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Father Goose

(1964, Rated NR, Classic, Starring Cary Grant, Leslie Caron, Trevor Howard)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Cary Grant charms in this WWII comedy.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
  • Violence & scariness:

    Main characters slap each other. Japanese airplanes attack, the children are in danger, and there's a fire. Ms. Freneau is thought to be dead at one point.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Much of the plot and certainly the humor centers on Mr. Eckland's quest for whiskey and Ms. Freneau's persistence in hiding it from him. There is one scene in which she gets drunk (taking alcohol medicinally after getting a snake bite) and is later hung over.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Father Goose

Parents need to know that the main character is on a constant search for the whiskey that his commanding officer and his prim island-mate hide from him. He's clearly not posited as a role model, though, and he reforms his ways. Even though this is foremost a comedy, it's set during World War II. The Japanese are the enemy, there's an air attack at the end, and at one point, the youngest little girl is in danger. Compared to war scenes in contemporary films, those in Father Goose are hardly worrisome.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what it's like for the children to be away from their parents in a time of war. At first, Anne complains that she wants to go home, but by the end, she wants to stay -- why does she change her mind? What makes Jenny start talking again? Is Harriet accepted as a tomboy? What are the ways Ms. Freneau tries to create a "normal" environment on the island? Do you think it's good that she hides Mr. Eckland's whiskey even though it's his island? What does Mr. Eckland see as his responsibilities at the beginning of the film? How about by the end?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Funny and fun to watch.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Cute movie...

    Great Cary Grant movie, a little long though. not a whole lot of language. However, it does have an s-word, a few d--n's,h-ll's,and b--ch. There is also a little bit of sexual innuendo, although most will go over younger kid's heads. Overall a great movie.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Cute movie...

    Great Cary Grant movie, a little long though. not a whole lot of language. However, it does have an s-word, a few d--n's,h-ll's,and b--ch. There is also a little bit of sexual innuendo, although most will go over younger kid's heads. Overall a great movie.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Cute movie...

    Great Cary Grant movie, a little long though. not a whole lot of language. However, it does have an s-word, a few d--n's,h-ll's,and b--ch. There is also a little bit of sexual innuendo, although most will go over younger kid's heads. Overall a great movie.

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