Grand Teton quarryman and family patriarch carefully navigates issues of religion and education in order to eke out a brighter future for his family.
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Title: Spencer's Mountain (1963)
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1 nomination.
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Henry Fonda | ... | Clay Spencer | |
| Maureen O'Hara | ... | Olivia Spencer | |
| James MacArthur | ... | Clayboy Spencer | |
| Donald Crisp | ... | Grandpa Zubulon Spencer | |
| Wally Cox | ... | Preacher Clyde Goodman | |
| Mimsy Farmer | ... | Claris Coleman | |
| Virginia Gregg | ... | Miss Parker | |
| Lillian Bronson | ... | Grandma Spencer | |
| Whit Bissell | ... | Dr. Campbell | |
| Hayden Rorke | ... | Colonel Coleman | |
| Kathy Bennett | ... | Minnie-Cora Cook | |
| Dub Taylor | ... | Percy Cook | |
| Hope Summers | ... | Mother Ida | |
| Ken Mayer | ... | Mr. John | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Clay Spencer is a hard-working man who loves his wife and large family. He is respected by his neighbors and always ready to give them a helping hand. Although not a churchgoer, he even helps a newly arrived local minister regain his flock after he and Clay get into a bit of trouble. If he has one dream in life it's to build his wife Olivia a beautiful house on a piece of land he inherited on Spencer's mountain. When his eldest son, Clayboy, graduates at the top of his high school class and has the opportunity to go to college, Clay has only one option left to him. Written by garykmcd
Plot Keywords:
grand teton national park | bare chested male | male objectification | name in title | male name in title |Taglines:
This is your place, Clayboy. Your father brought his sweetheart here and married her. Your eight red-blooded uncles fell in love on Spencer's Mountain. This is your place Clayboy, and this is your time... See more »Parents Guide:
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Clay Spencer: Why'd the Lord wanna' do that?
Olivia Spencer: Well, after the graduation we were all so puffed up, and braggin' about him so, and, well, pride cometh before a fall. If the Lord put you on this earth to be poor, poor you're going to be. And if you're born ignorant, well then you're destined to *die* ignorant!
Clay Spencer: Where the hell did you pick up a piece of information like that?
Olivia Spencer: In the Bible, and you stop swearing!
Clay Spencer: Show me...
[...]
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(uncredited)
Words and Music by Robert Lowry1864
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Director Delmer Daves' granddaughter, Michele Daves, made her only film appearance to date in this movie, appearing as the youngest Spencer child, baby Donnie. See more »Goofs
Around 00:08:40, camera's shadow is visible on the truck's angle. See more »Quotes
Olivia Spencer: It wouldn't surprise me at all if the good lord Himself kept Clayboy from gettin' that scholarship.Clay Spencer: Why'd the Lord wanna' do that?
Olivia Spencer: Well, after the graduation we were all so puffed up, and braggin' about him so, and, well, pride cometh before a fall. If the Lord put you on this earth to be poor, poor you're going to be. And if you're born ignorant, well then you're destined to *die* ignorant!
Clay Spencer: Where the hell did you pick up a piece of information like that?
Olivia Spencer: In the Bible, and you stop swearing!
Clay Spencer: Show me...
[...]
See more »
Soundtracks
Shall We Gather at the River?(uncredited)
Words and Music by Robert Lowry1864
See more »
When I joined the IMDB community, I was asked about my favorite movie. I was at a loss for about five minutes, trying to think of movies that I could truly consider my favorite. This movie finally won over the others I considered when I realized that a favorite is something personal and beyond reproach - you may hate this movie, but I saw at the perfect time of my life and now it means much more to me than it probably could otherwise.
Henry Fonda turns in an excellent performance, which is testimony to his work ethic - he vocally denounced the script as "corny" enough to throw back Hollywood film-making 20 years. The children are troopers of the same era as other classic family movies, ala Disney's "Swiss Family Robinson." I imagine the casting companies used were the same.
This movie accomplishes what it sets out to do - make you care about the Spencer family, their desire for respect and honor, and the sacrifices they make to do what they think is right. There are many moments in this movie where you could be moved to tears.
An emotional movie with, dare I say it, a lot of heart. It is my favorite movie.