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IMDbPro

Father Was a Fullback

  • 1949
  • Approved
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
529
YOUR RATING
Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, Betty Lynn, and Fred MacMurray in Father Was a Fullback (1949)
ComedySport

Football coach George Cooper has as many problems managing his football team as he has at home dealing with his daughters, Ellen and Connie.Football coach George Cooper has as many problems managing his football team as he has at home dealing with his daughters, Ellen and Connie.Football coach George Cooper has as many problems managing his football team as he has at home dealing with his daughters, Ellen and Connie.

  • Director
    • John M. Stahl
  • Writers
    • Clifford Goldsmith
    • Aleen Leslie
    • Casey Robinson
  • Stars
    • Fred MacMurray
    • Maureen O'Hara
    • Betty Lynn
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    529
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John M. Stahl
    • Writers
      • Clifford Goldsmith
      • Aleen Leslie
      • Casey Robinson
    • Stars
      • Fred MacMurray
      • Maureen O'Hara
      • Betty Lynn
    • 13User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos16

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    Top cast57

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    Fred MacMurray
    Fred MacMurray
    • George Cooper
    Maureen O'Hara
    Maureen O'Hara
    • Elizabeth Cooper
    Betty Lynn
    Betty Lynn
    • Connie Cooper
    Rudy Vallee
    Rudy Vallee
    • Mr. Jessup
    Thelma Ritter
    Thelma Ritter
    • Geraldine
    Natalie Wood
    Natalie Wood
    • Ellen Cooper
    Jim Backus
    Jim Backus
    • Professor Sullivan
    • (as James G. Backus)
    Richard Tyler
    Richard Tyler
    • Joe Birch
    Buddy Martin
    • Cheerleader
    Frank Mills
    Frank Mills
    • Assistant Football Coach
    Mickey McCardle
    • Jones
    John McKee
    • Cy
    Louise Lorimer
    Louise Lorimer
    • Mrs. Jones
    Ruth Clifford
    Ruth Clifford
    • Neighbor
    Robert Adler
    Robert Adler
    • Grandstand Bit Part
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Armstrong
    • Football Player
    • (uncredited)
    Don Barclay
    Don Barclay
    • Grandstand 'Coach'
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Barnes
    • Football Player
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John M. Stahl
    • Writers
      • Clifford Goldsmith
      • Aleen Leslie
      • Casey Robinson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    6.4529
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    Featured reviews

    6SimonJack

    Mild comedy look at the culture of the day

    "Father Was a Fullback" is loaded with talented actors of the mid-20th century. The story is a good look at the culture of the time from a few points. Teenagers began to be more heard and families seemed to be conflicted over the changing relationships that emerged in the years after the war (WW II). College football had a completely different look from the sideline benches, with the alumni, and in other ways.

    This isn't about anything heavy or startling, and modern audiences may not find it that interesting. Even for someone who lived - that long ago, the plot of this film is just so-so. The best thing about it is the cast. Fred MacMurray and Maureen O'Hara, as George and Elizabeth Cooper, were stars who would continue in that lofty realm for at least two more decades. But this film also has some supporting players who would become household names in the years ahead. Among these are Thelma Ritter as Geraldine and Jim Backus as "Sully" (Professor Sullivan). And, this is just the 11th film of 11-year-old Natalie Wood. She would be one of the few child stars to become a major star as an adult before her mysterious ocean drowning in 1981 at age 43.

    There may have been a clever thought behind the title, but it escapes one today. Cooper is a college football coach who's in dire need of a fullback. The film may seem very slow to many. But, for those interested in what life was like back then, it should provide mild entertainment.
    dougdoepke

    Chuckle-a-Minute

    Maltin's movie guide gives this TCF production two-and-half stars which means some staff member didn't wake up in time to turn on the TV. Because this is a sparkling little comedy with inventive lines, lively performances, and first-rate direction. (For example, note director John M. Stahl's clever touch with the love-seat cushion.) Of course, the family-- right out of Wholesome Living, 1940's Style-- is both dated and idealized.

    Nonetheless,, the plot hasn't dated at all. Mac Murray's a harried football coach about to lose his job because of a losing season, at the same time his oldest daughter is trying to survive adolescence. The comedy grows out of his sputtering attempts to cope. Four outstanding screenwriters are credited with the chuckle-a-minute script which surprises me. I would think such a concentration as this would cancel out, but happily, it doesn't

    Of course, Natalie Wood steals the show as the wise-cracking little sister. Was there ever a child actor more gifted and without annoying affect than she. (Her wrenching performance in The Green Promise {1949} remains an unsurpassed classic.) Wide-eyed Betty Lynn too is outstanding as the angst-ridden, dateless teenager. And, of course, there's the incomparable Thelma Ritter perfecting her stock-in-trade as a mordant housekeeper never stuck for a fractured comment. As good as Mac Murray, Sullivan, and the old pro's are, it's really this supporting cast that makes the movie scintillate.

    I expect a programmer like this passed quickly onto the shelves, without appreciation of the minor gem that it is. I'm glad there's an internet opportunity for circulating the recognition these entertainment efforts deserve-- even though the Coopers' are now a long way from the typical American family. And shame on you, Leonard Maltin. Next time, set your alarm.
    6planktonrules

    A decent family comedy, but Betty Lynn's character is a serious detriment.

    Fred MacMurray is George Cooper--the coach of State's football team. They are having a horrible season and everyone seems to be second- guessing him...and he's worried that he'll soon be out of a job. In the midst of this, his teenage daughter, Connie (Betty Lynn*) is driving him crazy. The girl is unbelievably emotional and walks about in a Goth-like funk feeling sorry for herself. When George tries to help, he only makes things worse. The maid says he should just 'belt her one'! And, when you see how annoying (too annoying) she is, you kind of wish he'd take the maid's advice! Among the kooky antics involving the daughter are an attempt to create a fake boyfriend to pick up her spirits as well as Connie writing an article about teenage pregnancy...and her parents think she is pregnant. The antics, at times, seem straight from a second-rate sitcom--which is a shame as the rest of the film is much more enjoyable. The 'bubble dancer' portion involving Connie is kind of funny as is the aftermath.

    Overall, the film is slight and enjoyable but occasionally the writing lets down the actors--with ridiculous situations and a character (Connie) who is much more of a caricature than a realistic person. Worth watching but don't rush to do so. Fred MacMurray, Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara have simply done better films.

    *Betty Lynn is best known as Barney Fife's girlfriend, Thelma Lou, from "The Andy Griffith Show". Here, she is considerably younger and her part is incredibly poorly written. Poor Ms. Lynn!
    6HotToastyRag

    Very cute family comedy

    Fred MacMurray's having some trouble, both at work and at home. He's a football coach to a perpetually losing team, his teenaged daughter Betty Lynn is depressed because she can't get a date, his wife Maureen O'Hara is spread pretty thin by continually doing damage control, his boss Rudy Vallee keeps pressures him, and his maid Thelma Ritter actually bets against him on game day! His youngest daughter Natalie Wood tries to help her sister by making up a fake suitor, but the lie quickly gets out of hand when Betty wants to meet him. That part of the movie is by far the cutest and funniest, as everyone pitches in to try and help Betty and her imaginary boyfriend-but you'll have to watch the movie to find out the hilarity!

    Father Was a Fullback reminded me of a cross between Kiss and Tell, in which a teenaged Shirley Temple makes mischief when her hormones start kicking in, and The Impossible Years, in which Professor David Niven has trouble with his two teenaged daughters when they start dating. If you liked either of those classic comedies, you'll probably like Fred MacMurray's take on it. It's not my favorite old comedy-I adore The Impossible Years- but it was entertaining, and it was very cute to see Maureen O'Hara as Natalie Wood's mom once again.
    pcronin

    Another hilarious vehicle featuring Fred MacMurray and a young Natalie Wood!

    George Cooper(Fred MacMurray)is the losingest coach State U has ever known. A well meaning square fresh from Elm Tree High, his team has potential but is yet to win a game in this his first season, which will make or break him. Comic relief comes in the form of his family's maid who knows to always bet against his team, and two daughters: Natalie Wood as a scruffy tomboy spouting poetic slang in which I must say is her best role, and Betty Lynn(who in real life is actually only eight years younger than Maureen O'Hara)as an angst-ridden hormonal teen with no writers block nor lack of pubescent imagination when she secretly sends in a unique offing to "True Romance" magazine. Her true calling apparently does not help matters any, except when it turns out that Joe Burch, the ploy her parents use to bring her out of her shell, turns out to be a high school football hero all the colleges have been bartering for. He had been intending to go to the leading team school, but in the end decided State U, "to be near Connie...she's the first thing I liked more than a football...." Hurrah! The team now has an official starting star for next season, and George's coaching contract will be renewed. A Happy End.

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    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Maureen O' Hara was only 6 years older than Betty Lynn who played her daughter in the film.
    • Quotes

      Elizabeth Cooper: Not going, he's a professor, teaches English literature

      Ellen Cooper: No, I mean going

      George 'Coop' Cooper: Ellen, That's ridiculous, go and get cleaned up

      Ellen Cooper: Daphne heard him gurgling on the phone like a worn out wolf about being a freshman in college

      Elizabeth Cooper: Oh What an Idea

      [looks at George, stunned]

      Elizabeth Cooper: George Cooper!

      Ellen Cooper: And he was pitching woos to a girl, Daphne thinks maybe she ought to tell her mother

      Elizabeth Cooper: George you didn't

      George 'Coop' Cooper: Father's little helper

      Elizabeth Cooper: oh you couldn't

      George 'Coop' Cooper: But Liz, you said yourself that she needed, my intentions were

      Elizabeth Cooper: My poor darling up there with goosebumps about some boy who not even going to happen

    • Connections
      Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Fred MacMurray (1961)

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    FAQ15

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1949 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Papá fue un defensa
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - 3911 S. Figueroa Street, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, USA(Photo)
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 24m(84 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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