Romancefest 2018: Father Goose

Cary Grant goes against type as a  rough around the edges alcoholic beachcomber in FATHER GOOSE, a 1964 romantic comedy directed by Ralph Nelson. The film takes place during WW2 on islands in the southwest Pacific where the Japanese are set to invade. Grant falls ass backwards into being roped into becoming a "coast watcher" on a deserted island by the Royal Australian Navy, spotting and reporting Japanese planes and boats that come near while living in a shack in the jungle.

When Grant's sent on a mission to pick up his replacement on a nearby island, he ends up instead with his hands full with a French teacher (Leslie Caron) and the seven little girls under her care. At first he's annoyed by their presence on the island but of course he eventually comes around and even falls in love with Caron as she falls in love with him.

This is kind of a strange film because the main premise is pretty high concept – a scoundrel is forced to put up with a straight-laced teacher and her kids. But, the details around this premise are crazy. Although it makes total sense, it never occurred to me the Navy might conscript civilians to hang out alone on deserted islands so they could report the movements of Japanese planes and ships via radio. It's a great set up for this premise, because there are so many interesting details to contend with beyond just the odd couple routine.

Still, the greatest strength is Grant, and it's interesting to note that Grant said this role was closer to his real personality than all the gentlemen he played in all his other more famous rom-coms. It's fun to see him with gray stubble, chugging whiskey, trying to fix his boat and yelling at little girls.