Overview"Father Was a Fullback" is an American funny film from 1949 directed by John M. Stahl. Betty Burbridge and Mary Loos developed the screenplay based on a play by Clifford Goldsmith. The film stars Fred MacMurray, Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, and Betty Lynn.
Plot SummaryThe movie revolves around George Cooper (Fred MacMurray), a has-been football hero having problem with life after football and his task as a college football coach. His popularity starts to decrease as his group experiences a losing streak, causing mounting pressure from the school board. On the other hand, he deals with domestic obstacles with his household.
His spouse, Liz Cooper (Maureen O'Hara), continuously frets about their children' well-being and social life. Their older child, Connie (Betty Lynn), is a normal teenager experiencing the trials and adversities of teenage years, consisting of heartbreak, mood swings, and low self-confidence. Their more youthful child, Ellen (Natalie Wood), is intellectually advanced for her age and frequently shows more common sense than the grownups around her, adding to the film's humor.
Conflict and ResolutionThroughout the movie, George juggles between his demanding job and ever-increasing household issues. His partner, Liz, has a hard time to handle Connie's significant teenage issues, consisting of young boy problems and becoming mentally troubled over her acne.
In parallel to his family has a hard time, George's once-successful football team is dealing with successive losses, with sports reporters consistently criticizing him. George's task is endangered as the alumni pressure him for wins he's struggling to provide. His family even receives a hate mail requiring George's resignation, which Ellen reads out loud to her totally unaware family at breakfast.
The climax starts with Connie deciding to elope with her sweetheart, triggering George to abandon an essential video game at half-time trying to avoid her. Concurrently, the youngest daughter, Ellen, prepares a scheme to make sure the football team's success. She invites the opposing group to a feast prior to the game, which leads to them being too complete to perform optimally.
ConclusionConnie lastly realizes her immature choices and decides not to elope, and George's football group ultimately wins the game, largely thanks to Ellen's plan. The success improves George's image and position as a coach, ending the hate mail and criticism, leading to a delighted ending for the Cooper family.
Reception and Contribution"Father Was a Fullback" was a popular movie in its time for its light-hearted take on post-war domestic life. It represented the challenges facing a typical middle-class household with humor and warmth. The movie likewise showcased the early performing talent of Natalie Wood, who later on ended up being a substantial figure in Hollywood.
While not usually well-known in regards to cinematic accomplishment, this movie uses a look back at the duration's societal norms, household expectations, and the pressure of work-life balance. It advises us of the universality of certain human experiences, going beyond period and social changes.
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