Father Goose

CinemaSerfApr 2025

3.5

“Walter” (Cary Grant) is a bit of a rogue who is conned into helping the war effort by “Houghton” (Trevor Howard) and so takes up residence on a remote Pacific island where he is to report sightings of Japanese aircraft, shipping etc. In return, he will be given his very own island Easter egg hunt - only it will be for bottles of Scotch, instead! He’s grumpily resigned to his duty until one day he encounters “Catherine” (Leslie Caron) on his island complete with her own set of ducklings - half a dozen young daughters of the French diplomatic corps left behind. She demands that he help, he demands that she leaves. Is it a Mexican stand-off? Well, no - not for long, pretty swiftly she and her gaggle have this poor hapless fellow dangling and the story sets off down a predictably one-sided battle of the sexes path. No, the story isn’t especially novel or original but there’s a lovely chemistry between Grant and Caron that reminded me a little of the “African Queen” (1951) and the girls contribute amiably too. It is a bit of a slow starter, and the conclusion is a little bit rushed, but the gist is entertaining and both stars seem to be enjoying the mischief as they do their own little bit to defeat the enemy - which ever side he/she/they might be on.