If you are looking for comparisons and don't mind a bit of a stretch, then you can consider "Father Goose" (1964) as another version of "Bringing Up Baby". In both Cary Grant gets to play a character experiencing a host of aggravations. Leslie Caron's Catherine Frenau is not as zany as Hepburn's Susan, but still manages to irritate Grant for most of the film until he finally realizes that he is in love with her. And instead of a leopard and a dog running amuck in rural Connecticut, "Father Goose" features seven schoolgirls of various nationalities running amuck on a Pacific island during WWII.

Everything works pretty well in this film although Grant is not quite up to an American accent so there are several awkward moments with the script. And the age difference makes the Grant-Caron romance unconvincing. Fortunately the producers skate over the romantic elements. In fact, the romance is treated so superficially that you wonder why they bothered to insert it into the story. A similar romance got much the same treatment that year in "My Fair Lady".

The film's real strength is the interaction between Grant and the seven schoolgirls as it manages a fair amount of believable characterization for each of them. The initially silent Jenny (Sharyl Locke),tomboy Harry (Jennifer Berrington),chronic complainer Anne (Pip Sparke),Elizabeth (Stephanie Berrington) and her imaginary friend Gretchen, coming of age Christine (Venina Greenlaw),and the French twins (Laurelle and Nichole Felsette). All have distinct personalities and it is obvious that Grant had a lot of fun working with each of them; so much so that he stayed in touch with them even after they grew up, married, and started their own families.

Grant's Walter Eckland is an American drifter hoping the war will just pass him by; illustrated during the opening credits by Digby Wolfe singing "Pass Me By" as Eckland (with an unwanted hitchhiking Pelican) steers his boat into the harbor. The war catches up with him there when the Harbor Master (Trevor Howard) tricks him into taking a coast-watching job until a replacement can be found.

His job is reporting by radio any movements by Japanese planes and ships near his island station. The reluctant recruit is rewarded with a bottle of whiskey (previously hidden somewhere on the island by the Royal Navy) each time one of his reports is confirmed.

Walter seems to thrive on this assignment until he has to share his island with a French teacher Catherine Frenau (Leslie Caron) and seven young charges. Miss Frenau hides the remaining whiskey bottles and the females take over Walter's hut.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

When the film begins, the British commander (Trevor Howard) deliberately strands an 'American'(!),Walter (Cary Grant),on a small island so that he can be an observer for the navy. In order to get his cooperation, bottles of booze have been hidden about the island--and he's told where one is hidden each time he sends them a report on enemy aircraft that is later confirmed. Unfortunately for Walter, this routine is disrupted when he's asked to go on a rescue mission to a nearby island--but when he arrives, he only finds a school teacher and her seven young charges.

"Father Goose" is an enjoyable family film. However, when I watched it tonight, I noticed that I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the other times I saw the picture. I think it's because this time I noticed things I didn't notice as much the previous times--such as how horribly Miss Freneau (Leslie Caron) and the kids treated Walter. Now, I thought that much of their behavior was rather boorish and mean all for the sake of comedy--such as the kid who kept biting Walter (I would have slapped that brat!) and the one who CONSTANTLY complained about wanting to be home. In hindsight, I wish they'd toned this down a bit--bit it STILL is an enjoyable movie.

Have always been a fan of classic film, and 'Father Goose' is the sort of film that can be a real delight if done successfully. There are numerous films that do do it successfully, others not so much. Am also somebody that loves Cary Grant and has liked a good deal of his performances and films. Am not as keen on Leslie Caron, but that is not meant in a negative way. Just in comparison, when a role plays to her strengths she is lovely. Part of me was not sure as to whether a film with the concept that it has would work and whether it could be potentially distasteful.

'Father Goose' luckily is not a distasteful film at all and it does just about work. It is a long way from flawless and Grant has done better films and performances, but there are more good things than shortcomings and it is on the whole a gentle and charming watch. While being another person that does question 'Father Goose's' screenplay Oscar win, it is to me not hard to see why Grant considered it a personal favourite of his in regard to his work.

Will start with the shortcomings. It doesn't start off particularly great in my view, the pace being rather on the slow, uneventful and too long to set up side. The story and script execution aren't perfect, the story can feel a bit fetched and like a short story stretched out to feature and the script can be too sentimental in parts and some of the comedy too broadly silly.

The score has pleasant parts but nothing in it properly stands out. Never completely bought Grant and Caron's love either.

On the other hand, Grant is terrific (the best thing about the film),his urbane sophisticated charm working wonders. Caron's character is not as likeable, meaning it was not as easy to pull off, but she gives the role her all and acquits herself quite well. The younger cast play appealingly and Grant and Caron's chemistry has some sweet moments. It looks nice and atmospheric and the theme song is a charmer.

Despite saying that the script and story are not perfect, they are a long way from being done terribly. The script is mostly gently amusing and has a lot of heart, and once the film gets going it is a very easy watch and is quite heart-warming and touching. Trevor Howard is appropriately gruff and it was interesting seeing Jack Goode in an acting role. The direction is uncertain at first but clearly knew what Grant's strengths were and played to them and helps making the character interaction endearing.

In summary, not great but also not at all bad. Best seen for Grant, who is, and always was, reason enough to see anything. 6/10