Spencer's Mountain (1963)
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69% of users liked it
(1,392 ratings)
For a family picture, not to mention a story that later became the old-fashioned-values-affirming series The Waltons, Spencer's Mountain sure has a lot in it about sex. Henry Fonda gives an interesting portrayal in one of his more unusual roles, as Clay Spencer, the hard-drinkin',… More For a family picture, not to mention a story that later became the old-fashioned-values-affirming series The Waltons, Spencer's Mountain sure has a lot in it about sex. Henry Fonda gives an interesting portrayal in one of his more unusual roles, as Clay Spencer, the hard-drinkin', hard-livin', hard lovin', hard-cussin' patriarch of a fiercely independent Wyoming family living in the Grand Tetons. When he's not resisting the encroachment of organized religion on his daily life (he believes in God, but doesn't want others to tell him how to do that, or how to show respect to the Lord), he's busy trying to finish the house he promised his wife (Maureen O'Hara) to house their constantly growing brood, and trying to help his eldest son, Clayboy (James MacArthur) -- who's going to be the first Spencer to get past high school -- prepare for college and manhood, while temptation in the form of Claris Coleman (Mimsy Farmer) and Minnie-Cora Cook Kathy Bennett comes his way. There's also a good bit of human drama here, and some especially finely nuanced performances by Donald Crisp and Lillian Bronson, as Fonda's aging parents. Between their work, the CinemaScope photography, the gorgeous Wyoming locations, and a good basic story, this is a surprisingly engrossing comedy-drama of a kind that probably could not be made today, even with a top-name cast. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi
- Directed By
- Delmer Daves
- Written By
- Delmer Daves
- Genres
- Drama, Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- May 16, 1963 Wide
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Basis for "Waltons" TV series with great scenery, family drama and comedy...and Henry Fonda.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Henry Fonda
as Clay Spencer
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Maureen O'Hara
as Olivia Spencer
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James MacArthur
as Clayboy Spencer
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Donald Crisp
as Grandpa Spencer
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Wally Cox
as Preacher Goodman
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Mimsy Farmer
as Claris Coleman
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Virginia Gregg
as Miss Parker
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Lillian Bronson
as Grandma Spencer
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Whit Bissell
as Dr. Campbell
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Dub Taylor
as Percy Cook
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Ken Mayer
as Mr. John
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Veronica Cartwright
as Becky Spencer
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Bronwyn Fitzsimmons
as College Secretary
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Med Flory
as Spencer Brother
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Victor French
as Spencer Brother
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Michael Greene
as Spencer Brother
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Buzz Henry
as Spencer Brother
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Kym Karath
as Pattie-Cake Spencer
- Rory Mallinson
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Larry D. Mann
as Spencer Brother
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Barbara McNair
as Graduation Singer
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Hayden Rorke
as Col. Coleman
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Hope Summers
as Mother Ida
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Mike Henry (I)
as Spencer Brother
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Susan Young
as Shirley Spencer
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Gary Young
as Mat Spencer
- James Mac Arthur
