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Memorable Movie Dads

6/14/2014

 
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“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” - Mark Twain.


I'm still enough of a newbie to this whole "dad" thing that I remain somewhat bemused when Father's Day rolls around, and I belatedly realize that I now belong to the group being celebrated.
My son, Kenji, is now a few months shy of his second birthday, and I'm slowly coming around to the fact that, yep, no doubt about it, I'm a dad.

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When it comes to role models for being a good father, I don't have to look any further than real life, starting with my own wonderful dad, Bruce (see my brief tribute to him from last year here). I also have a number of friends who seem to have this dad scene down pat, though I have it on good authority (i.e., them) that it's a lot easier said than done. I've learned a lot from these guys over the years, and am trying my best to follow their lead.

But being a dyed-in-the-wool movie and TV geek, I also occasionally find myself taking comfort and inspiration from the various fathers that have graced the silver screen through the years. 

Probably the fictional dads that leap to most people's minds right off the bat hail mostly from the small screen, a plethora of all types, from the iconic "best dad EVER" types like Sheriff Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, Lucas McCain on The Rifleman, and Bill Bixby's Tom Corbett on The Courtship of Eddie's Father; to the loving yet sarcastic grouches who can't wait till the kids move out, like Bill Huxtable on The Cosby Show; to the lovable, well-meaning dolts (a modern TV specialty), like Ray Romano on Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell) on Modern Family, or, heaven forbid, the king of all idiot dads, Homer Simpson.

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Yes, television has got the dad game covered, fitting for a medium meant to be invited nightly into our homes, like an additional member of the family. But of course the movies are no slouch in the dad department, either. Movie protagonists, generally speaking, tend to be single and unencumbered by familial responsibilities - the better to make some kind of love connection through the course of the story, often with an understanding that marital bliss - and, by extension, parenthood - would be the likely outcome after the final clinch and fade-out. This all makes perfect sense, dramatically speaking, but means that fathers are more often sidelined as supporting characters, usually having to content themselves with exerting an influence over our heroes and heroines, for good or ill.

There have been all kinds of memorable movie fathers, covering the spectrum of human experience, from the noble (Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird); to the badass, take-no-prisoners type (Gene Hackman in Uncommon Valor, Liam Neeson in Taken); to the absentee, estranged father trying to reconnect with their kids (Bruce Willis in The Last Boy Scout, Die Hard, etc.); to the intimidating power brokers (Marlon Brando's Don Corleone in The Godfather); to the flat-out crazy and deranged (Donald Pleasence as nasty "white trash" Preacher Quint in Will Penny). These are just a few examples, the tip of a very large iceberg, which also includes all manner of deadbeat fathers, abusive fathers, surrogate fathers, father figures, and just plain old Fathers (like Spencer Tracy's Father Flanagan in Boy's Town).

Many of the above types loom large in the imagination. For the purposes of this post, I'm going to stick to actual fathers, doing their level best, no matter the circumstances or how brief their appearance when it comes to running time, to leave a lasting impact on their "movie" kids, and, frequently, the viewer. Here, in no particular order than off the top of my head, are a few cinematic "class act" dads:



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Samuel S. Hinds as the kindly, community-minded Pa Bailey, whose generous spirit threads through IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1956) and deeply influences his son George's character and eventual career path.


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Lewis Stone, left, as Judge Hardy, wise pop to the irrepressible Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) in the much-beloved MGM movie series.


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Van Heflin as Joe Starrett in the classic western, SHANE (1953). Not as romantic a figure as the mysterious gunman (Alan Ladd), but, in his own way, just as strong, principled and unwilling to back down from a fight.


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Many love Spencer Tracy's turn as befuddled, long-suffering dad Stanley Banks in FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1950) and its sequel. I do, too, but am even more impressed by his career-capping turn as Matt Drayton in GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (1967)


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Here's another dad who's determined to do right by his son...and who's not afraid to throw down against a bad guy wielding a whip: Burt Lancaster in THE KENTUCKIAN (1955).


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Gary Cooper brings all his gravitas and good humor to the part of pacifist Quaker father Jess Birdwell, trying to keep his family - especially older son, Josh (Anthony Perkins) - safe during the Civil War, in the heartwarming classic, FRIENDLY PERSUASION (1956).


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The irreplaceable Thomas Mitchell, as proud papa of THE FIGHTING SULLIVANS (1944).


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Westerns seem full of great movie dads...or maybe that's just my preferences showing. At any rate, Robert Mitchum does a fine job as the strong, silent type of old-school he-manly dad in RIVER OF NO RETURN (1954).


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One of the Duke's few fatherly roles, as struggling single dad to young Sherry Jackson in TROUBLE ALONG THE WAY (1953).


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Good ol' Jimmy Stewart played quite a few dads late in his career, but none to my mind better than as strong-willed patriarch Charlie Anderson, desperately trying to find his son amidst the chaos of the Civil War torn south, in the brutal, moving SHENANDOAH (1965).


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His screentime is brief, but Joss Ackland, as D'artagnan Sr. (left), makes quite an impression on his naive, big-hearted and ridiculously enthusiastic son Michael York, in Richard Lester's wonderful rendition of THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1973).


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Who can forget Carl Kolchak himself, Darren McGavin, as the salty, roast turkey and tacky ladies' leg-shaped lamp loving "Old Man," who comes through in a big way for son Ralphie on Christmas morning in the modern classic, A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983)?


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And, last but not least, we have giant monster ant- fighting egghead, Dr. Harold Medford (cuddly Edmund Gwenn), father of equally adept boffin - and hottie - Pat (Joan Weldon), in THEM! (1954).


Please note, this baker's dozen is of course far from a comprehensive list. I've no doubt overlooked a slew of great choices for cinema dads. If I left out any of your personal favorites, by all means, let me know in the comments section below.

And, if you're like me, and lucky enough to still have a dad alive, well, and active in your life - be sure to give your old man a call and wish him a Happy Father's Day!
Patricia Nolan-Hall (Caftan Woman) link
6/14/2014 02:27:12 am

Happy Father's Day! Great list. Lots of memories.

If Kenji gets you up early on Sunday morning check out Charles Boyer in "The Happy Time" on TCM. He's one of my favourite movie dads.

A few others to share:

Edward G. Robinson, "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes" (philosophical and kind)

John Litel, the "Nancy Drew" movies (patient and understanding)

William Demarest, "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" (he's loud, but loving)

Alastair Sim, "Stage Fright" (droll and supportive)

Jeff
6/14/2014 09:42:45 am

Those are GREAT additions, Caftan Woman - thanks!

I haven't seen THE HAPPY TIME, and - alas! - can't get TCM over here in Japan, but will try to track down a copy at some point...from the description, it sounds wonderful. I remember Litel very fondly from those fun Nancy Drew mysteries. Lots of good ideas for future movie watching.

Thanks for playing along, and I appreciate the Father's Day well wishes!

Patricia Nolan-Hall (Caftan Woman) link
6/15/2014 03:05:22 am

D'oh! I must stop thinking of TCM as a worldwide phenomenon. "The Happy Time" is currently up on the inestimable YouTube, if that is of any help.

Jeff
6/15/2014 01:48:22 pm

No worries, Caftan Woman - and thanks for the YouTube tip!

Clayton @ Phantom Empires link
6/14/2014 10:18:39 am

Kenji's in good shape; you've got the good dad thing down, right up the the dad's photo grin!

I nominate Darth Vader as a boss movie dad in classic "a boy named Sue" fashion, and Obi Wan as a killer stepdad! Kinda reminds me of Bruce, the latter does, right down to the force!

Honourable mention to all those dads in Kong Foo pictures, whose untimely deaths inspired LOTS of great revenge! "You b@stard! You killed my Father!!!"

Jeff
6/15/2014 01:51:12 pm

Appreciate the kind words, Clayton! Guess that cheesy dad grin just goes with the territory. Darth Vader and Obi Wan...inspired choices that wouldn't have occurred to me. And I like your honorable mention of all those honorable fathers or masters who need to be avenged in those Kung Fu Theatre Classics - good stuff!

Thanks muchly for the comment!

John link
6/15/2014 03:28:43 am

I played a bit of a guessing game with myself trying to identify the actors and movies fromt he stills alone before reading your captions and managed to identify most of the father actors. I missed on Gwenn (who I never recognize outside of his Kris Kringle costume!), Acklund (though I definitely knew the movie and recognized York immediately), and the elderly Cooper who always looks like other actors to me in his old age. You made several unusual choices but I like them. I've never seen THE FIGHTING SULLIVANS nor THE KENTUCKIAN and now I'm eager to check out both. But I'll pass on the entire Andy Hardy series. Not for me these days.

Just a few of my favorite movie Dads:

Paul Dooley in BREAKING AWAY, frustrated with his oddball son, but in the end loving and supportive.

John Wayne in THE SEARCHERS (OK, he's her uncle, but what a devoted paternal uncle!)

Viggo Mortensen in THE ROAD

And one from TV -- David Wayne as Inspector Queen opposite Jim Hutton in the 1970s TV series ELLERY QUEEN MYSTERIES.

If given the time I could come up with more, but these days it takes a lot of time remembering favorites moments from the thousands of movies I've seen.

Jeff
6/15/2014 01:56:34 pm

Thanks, John! Glad I led you on a bit of a merry chase in your "Whose that actor?" guessing game. There are some oddball choices on my list, for sure...but that's the way I like it.

Good choices there yourself. I really like David Wayne as Inspector Queen in the ELLERY QUEEN TV series...now I picture his face whenever I read one of the books. Paul Dooley in BREAKING AWAY. Great choice as one of those dads who never quite understands his weirdo son but is secretly proud of him anyway. Viggo Mortensen in THE ROAD. The film's not as good as the novel but Viggo was good casting, and that role pares the basics of fatherhood down to the grim bone.

Prashant C. Trikannad link
6/16/2014 05:16:13 pm

Jeff, that's a nice picture of you and Kenji. Fatherhood is a wonderful experience and I hope you have some great ones with your son. Thanks for sharing it. I'm annoyed with myself for not having seen some of these "Dad" movies. A few other "Dad" moments come to mind such as Jack Murdock (David Keith) and Young Matt Murdock (Scott Terra) in DAREDEVIL, Jake Tremont (Jack Lemmon) and John Tremont (Ted Danson) in DAD, and Billy (Jon Voight) and T.J. (Ricky Schroder) in THE CHAMP. At home we loved EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND which owed most of its humour to Peter Boyle. Take him out and I don't see it.

Jeff
6/18/2014 10:30:25 pm

Thank you very much for the comment, Prashant! Some good "dad" moments you mentioned there. I know the DAREDEVIL movie catches a lot of flack, but I actually kind of liked it...especially Colin Farrell as Bullseye.

Was never a fan of RAYMOND, but from what I saw, I'd say you're definitely right that Peter Boyle stole the show with his deadpan manner. (My favorite Boyle TV moment is his turn as a morose psychic in the nifty X FILES ep, "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose.")

Colin link
6/19/2014 08:24:22 pm

Bit late to the party here, Jeff. Anyway, lovely idea and great choices.
I hope you had a great day with the kid!

Jeff
6/19/2014 10:43:45 pm

Thanks a bunch, Colin! The boy was a little under the weather last weekend but he's in fine fettle now. Hope you enjoy the summer hols!

Neil
6/21/2014 11:47:10 am

What about Lord Tywin Lannister? Don't let the whole incest thing between his kids throw you off, not when he had such pearls of wisdom as these to teach his kids: "No man is free. Only children and fools think elsewise." ; )

Jeff
6/21/2014 04:33:22 pm

Hey Neil! Tywin is certainly a candidate in the "Memorable Awful Dad" sweepstakes - a separate post by itself.

Thanks for stopping by!

R.A. Kerr link
7/4/2014 09:58:15 pm

Jeff, this is a wonderful tribute to cinema dads and real dads. So glad you included John Wayne in "Trouble Along the Way" as well as Darren McGavin in one of my all-time faves "A Christmas Story".

Great photo of you and that adorable little boy of yours. Happy Belated Father's Day!

Jeff
7/6/2014 07:51:07 am

Thank you kindly for the nice comment, Ruth! I hope all's well in your neck of the woods, too! I enjoyed reading many of the posts in your "1967 in Film" blogathon - nice job!


Comments are closed.
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