I Never Sang for My Father (1970)

Hackman plays a New York professor who wants a change in his life, and plans to get married to his girlfriend and move to California. His mother understands his need to get away, but warns ... See full summary »

Director:

Gilbert Cates

Writers:

Robert Anderson (play), Robert Anderson (screenplay)

Stars:

Melvyn Douglas, Gene Hackman, Dorothy Stickney

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Melvyn Douglas	...	Tom Garrison
Gene Hackman	...	Gene Garrison
Dorothy Stickney	...	Margaret Garrison
Estelle Parsons	...	Alice
Elizabeth Hubbard	...	Dr. Margaret 'Peggy' Thayer
Lovelady Powell	...	Norma
Daniel Keyes	...	Dr. Mayberry
Conrad Bain	...	Rev. Sam Pell
Jon Richards	...	Marvin Scott
Nikki Counselman	...	Waitress
Carol Peterson	...	Nurse #1
Sloane Shelton	...	Nurse #2
James Karen	...	Mr. Tucker (old age home director)
Gene Williams	...	Dr. Jensen (state hospital director)

Storyline

Hackman plays a New York professor who wants a change in his life, and plans to get married to his girlfriend and move to California. His mother understands his need to get away, but warns him that moving so far away could be hard on his father. Just before the wedding, the mother dies. Hackman's sister (who has been disowned by their father for marrying a Jewish man) advises him to live his own life, and not let himself be controlled by their father.

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Plot Keywords:

father | california | professor | reflection | father son estrangement | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 1971 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Strangers

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Janel Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Quotes

Margaret Garrison: Look how he walks. Like a brigadier general. He may not always remember where he is going, but he always goes there with a firm step.

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Connections

Referenced in Fame: I Never Danced for My Father (1984)

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Soundtracks

"Strangers"
Written by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Performed by Roy Clark

User Reviews

good film

Gene Hackman plays a former marine who's wife had died not too long ago for cancer. His parents live close by and he visits every so often. Hackman has never really gotten along with his dad, played by Melvyn Douglas, but gets along better with his mother. His mother dies and his sister, played by Estelle Parsons, comes home and we find out that Douglas had banished her several years earlier and she's never come back since. Hackman and Parsons have to decide what to do with dad, which is either hiring a full time nurse or moving him into a nursing home or letting him move in with one of them. Both Gene Hackman and Melvyn Douglas were nominated for best actor but lost out to George C. Scott for Patton. Several people have called this movie very depressing but i don't think it is, but just like what Roger Ebert said, a good movie is never depressing, only bad movies are.