On Golden Pond (released in 1981) - starring Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn, Jane Fonda and Doug McKeon

Released in 1981, the screen play was adapted by Ernest Thompson from his play. Directed by Mark Rydell this movie boasts of a stellar cast of Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn, Jane Fonda and Doug McKeon.
Have you got tired of watching mindless revenge drama's, lust, anger and sex? Then you need to get hold of On Golden Pond. The simple nuances of love, relationships, kinship and mortality is presented in this film that leaves the viewers spellbound. You leave the movie not with tears but with an uplifting feeling in your soul.
The story begins with the sexagenarian couple Norman and Ethel Thayer arriving at their summer cottage at the golden pond to spend their vacations as they had done for the last fifty years. Norman is a grouchy old professor who ribs everybody in the wrong way. Ethel, his ever suffering wife understands his behavior and sense of humor. Some great scenes about their camaraderie comes through creating cinematic history. Ultimately Norman knows that Ethel understands and completes him.



Arriving at the cottage is his middle aged estranged daughter, Chelsea to celebrate his birthday She is accompanied by her fiancée, Coleman and his son eight year old Billy. Norman's acid tongue and repartees soon make the situation tense, but the night passes on. The next day Chelsea and Coleman depart to Europe for a vacation leaving Billy in the cottage.
Norman and Billy are forced to spend time together and Norman grudgingly accepts his young friend. In Billy he finds a chance to parent a young child as he had never tried to do with Chelsea. Norman does not leave this chance and takes young Billy under his wing, teaching him fishing and reading treasure island with him. Billy with his silly childish ways builds a bond with Norman with Ethel.
Soon they are enjoying the vacations, with occasional mishaps like a boating accident bringing them closer. Meanwhile Chelsea arrives from Europe sans her fiancée and the good news that she is married. Seeing her father and Billy together, she confesses her resentment about Norman. She feels that she was neglected always because Norman wanted a boy. But a heart tot heart talk with Norman calms her troubled heart.
Norman too is confronted with his mortality as he suffers a mild heart attack. Ethel and he understands the value of the time spent together. Chelsea and Billy depart with a promise of staying in touch. Norman and Ethel also depart hoping to comeback next summer.
This is the last movie of Henry Fonda and no better curtain call could be there for his illustrious career. He won an Oscar for his portrayal of Norman Thayer. On Golden Pond went on to win 5 Oscars with 10 nominations. Katherine Hepburn and Jane Fonda were among the winners. It also went on to win the Golden Globes, BAFTA and other prestigious award. The viewers also gave it a thumbs up as the movie grossed $119,285,432 at the box office.
A good feel good movie for all ages.

Spencer's Mountain (released in 1963) - starring Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara - the story of a rustic patriarch

This heart warming tale was directed by Delmer Daves, in 1965 based on the book by Earl Hamner Jr. This the tale of the fight of the human spirit to triumph against all odds. The film stars, Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara and James Macarthur. The high light of the movie is the panoramic view of the mountain's which are breathtakingly beautiful. This novel and the movie has been the basis for the Television drama The Walton's.
As the tale goes, grandpa Zebulon, the father of Clay Spencer makes his home among the beautiful mountains of Wyoming. Here he has nine children of whom only Spencer continues his legacy. Clay Spencer is a hard working quarry man who occasionally indulges in a drink. He is a decent man and does not believe in the cliché of organized religion and therefore never goes to church. But he takes up back breaking labor to put bread on the family table. His wife is the rock of the family and has raised nine children.



Spencer's dream and promise was to build a beautiful mountain home for his wife. His son Clayboy is an amazingly gifted and talented boy who dreams of going to college. Clay boy is the only Spencer with any scholastic achievements to his credit. Clay knows that college will open new vista's for the boy and he will escape the poverty and labor which the Spencer's are doomed to.
Clayboy is admired by Claris Coleman, the rich daughter of the quarry manager and her frank admissions embarrass Clayboy. But he is enamored with her and returns her kiss. This arouses jealousy in Minnie Cora Cook a valley girl who ultimately marries the richest man around. Clayboy is rejected by the college because of his lack of proficiency in Latin. The family is shocked and an angry Clay confronts the college. The school agrees to admit him if he passes in Latin. The preacher Goodson agrees to tutor Clayboy if Clay Spencer would come to church and turn to religion.
Tragedy strikes the Spencer's when Granpa is killed by a falling tree. But in his will he leaves a legacy of thirty eight dolors and exhorts Clayboy to aim high. This spurs him to study hard and he passes his Latin with flying colors. Clay tries to borrow money from a rich man, but Minnie Cora who is married to the rich man out of spite blocks the loan. Clay decides to forget his dream and relinquishes his land on beautiful Spencer Mountain. He has no choice to burn it down. His wife stands behind him and says that she is contended with what ever they have
So a united family send Clayboy to college. Super feel good movie which will uplift your soul when you are down. Just grab you tissues and soak the triumph of the hardworking, gracious and decent people of the mountains.