Today’s blog post covers two ends of the spectrum – one with a movie that is not portraying the endearing type of Father we all want but it does speak to resolving and being able to move forward. And then we have an inspiring poem about Father’s Day that speaks to the kind we do want.
Photo shown today (upper left): Norman Rockwell’s first Saturday Evening Post cover, published on May 20, 1916. Attribution: Norman Rockwell [Public domain], via Wikimedia Common
Movie: “Nothing in Common” (1986)
Today I came across one more movie for when it comes to Dad to share as we approach Father’s Day. Did you ever see the 1986 film “Nothing in Common” with Jackie Gleason and Tom Hanks? Not to give the spoiler away but Gleason’s closing remark to his son played by Hanks summed up the movie, the redeeming quality that it was not too late resonates at the end. This movie is not the endearing James Stewart “It’s A Wonderful Life” type but rather someone who had not been there for his family. This was Gleason’s final film role.
One of the things I liked best was the sage advice and helpful council Hanks has with his boss, Charlie, played by Hector Elizondo. This film was made before “Pretty Woman” (1990) where Elizondo would play the character Barnard Thompson and he befriends Julia Roberts.
Poem: “Fathers are wonderful people” by Helen Steiner Rice
And then we have this inspirational poem by Helen Steiner Rice (May 19, 1900 – April 23, 1981). There is a extensive list of her books and other items available for purchase on the Helen Steiner Rice Foundation website; that link goes to the Gift Shop, Cincinnati Museum Center. Just reading through that list is inspiring! She did write for the greeting card company Gibson Greetings.
Here is the poem:
“Fathers are wonderful people
Too little understood,
And we do not sing their praises
As often as we should…
For, somehow, Father seems to be
The man who pays the bills,
While Mother binds up little hurts
And nurses all our ills…
And Father struggles daily
To live up to “HIS IMAGE”
As protector and provider
And “hero or the scrimmage”…
And perhaps that is the reason
We sometimes get the notion,
That Fathers are not subject
To the thing we call emotion,
But if you look inside Dad’s heart,
Where no one else can see
You’ll find he’s sentimental
And as “soft” as he can be…
But he’s so busy every day
In the grueling race of life,
He leaves the sentimental stuff
To his partner and his wife…
But Fathers are just WONDERFUL
In a million different ways,
And they merit loving compliments
And accolade of praise,
For the only reason Dad aspires
To fortune and success
Is to make the family proud of him
And to bring them happiness…
And like OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,
He’s a guardian and a guide,
Someone that we can count on
To be ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE. “
Thank you for having joined me today. How many of the movies from yesterday listed were you already familiar ? Do you have a favorite poem when you think of Father’s Day? Join me tomorrow on AnchoredScraps.com as we recognize our Dad’s on Father’s Day.
Anchors Aweigh,
Helen
