I Never Sang for My Father (1970): Cast & Plot
I Never Sang for My Father is a 1970 drama directed by Gilbert Cates, starring Gene Hackman as Gene Garrison, Melvyn Douglas and Lovelady Powell. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Gilbert Cates
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Janel Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is I Never Sang for My Father About?
The premise of I Never Sang for My Father without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Hackman portrays a New York professor who, yearning for change, plans to marry his girlfriend and move to California. His mother, supportive yet warning about the strain on his estranged father, dies just before the wedding. His disowned sister, ostracized for marrying a Jewish man, urges him to live on his own and not be dominated by their father.
I Never Sang for My Father Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- new york city
- california
- professor
- writer
- aging
- reading a letter aloud
- condolences
- wealth
- typewriter
- mayor
- martini
- westchester county new york
+38 more Show fewer
- long distance relationship
- grief
- power of attorney
- housekeeper
- piano
- singing
- hugging
- song
- loneliness
- middle age
- elderly parents
- infidelity
- father daughter estrangement
- abusive father
- calisthenics
- sparring
- genealogy
- death
- self sacrifice
- chronic illness
- dementia
- widower
- rotary club
- selfishness
- old photograph
- introspection
- casket
- funeral home
- hospital
- nursing home
- caregiver
- father disowns son
- family photograph
- heart disease
- funeral
- fatherhood
- domineering father
- anti semitism
I Never Sang for My Father Cast & Characters
Gene Hackman leads the cast as Gene Garrison, with Melvyn Douglas as Tom Garrison and Lovelady Powell as Norma. Directed by Gilbert Cates; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director Gilbert Cates
-
Gene Hackman as Gene Garrison -
Melvyn Douglas as Tom Garrison - Lovelady Powell as Norma
- Dorothy Stickney as Margaret Garrison
Also Starring in I Never Sang for My Father
· 13 more- Elizabeth Hubbard Dr. Margaret 'Peggy' Thayer
- Estelle Parsons Alice
- James Karen Old Age Home Director
- Conrad Bain Rev. Sam Pell
- Sloane Shelton 2nd Nurse
- Jon Richards Marvin Scott
- Daniel Keyes Dr. Mayberry
- Beverly Penberthy Special Nurse
- Gene Williams State Hospital Director
- Nikki Counselman Waitress
- Carol Peterson 1st Nurse
- Valerie Ogden 3rd Nurse
- Jean Dexter Hostess
More from Gilbert Cates
More films directed by Gilbert Cates, best-rated first: Oh, God! Book II, Confessions: Two Faces of Evil, Absolute Strangers and Call Me Anna.
I Never Sang for My Father Plot Summary
What happens in I Never Sang for My Father from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
At the airport, college professor Gene Garrison Gene Hackman meets his parents returning from Florida. After driving them home, he takes them out to dinner. Back home, he spends the evening with them. The barbs of his father, Tom Garrison Melvyn Douglas drift through his mind as he drives home. Gene seeks solace in the arms of Norma Lovelady Powell, a woman he’s been seeing, who pines for a more serious relationship with him.
Soon after, his mother, Margaret Garrison Dorothy Stickney suffers a heart attack and is hospitalized. Upon visiting her at the hospital, Gene finds Tom Garrison pacing in the waiting room. Tom asks Gene to go to the Rotary Club with him, though Gene was expecting not to leave his mother’s side.
Full summary
The whole story of I Never Sang for My Father, scene by scene
I Never Sang for My Father Trailers & Videos
The trailer of I Never Sang for My Father.
How Well Do You Know I Never Sang for My Father?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrayed the character Gene Garrison?
I Never Sang for My Father Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “Mi padre es un extraño” and “两代情怀”.
- Also known as
-
- Mi padre es un extraño
- 两代情怀
- Nunca canté para mi padre
- Kein Lied für meinen Vater
- Meu Pai Um Estranho
- Anello di sangue
- Je n'ai jamais chanté pour mon père
- 我不为父歌唱
- Я никогда не пел отцу
- 아버지의 노래
- Meu Pai
- Um Estranho
+1 more Show fewer
- Nikdy jsem nezpíval svému otci
Seen I Never Sang for My Father?
Movies Like I Never Sang for My Father
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including In Memory of My Father, Long Day’s Journey Into Night and All My Sons.
I Never Sang for My Father FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of I Never Sang for My Father, each answered in a sentence.
How long is I Never Sang for My Father?
I Never Sang for My Father runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was I Never Sang for My Father released?
I Never Sang for My Father was released on October 18, 1970.
Who directed I Never Sang for My Father?
I Never Sang for My Father was directed by Gilbert Cates.
More films by Gilbert Cates Who is in the cast of I Never Sang for My Father?
I Never Sang for My Father stars Gene Hackman as Gene Garrison, Melvyn Douglas as Tom Garrison and Lovelady Powell as Norma, among 17 credited actors.
Does I Never Sang for My Father have a post-credit scene?
No. I Never Sang for My Father has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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