I Never Sang for My Father

I Never Sang for My Father is a 1970 American film, based on a play by the same name, which tells the story of a widowed college professor who wants to get out from under the thumb of his aging father yet still has regrets about his plan to leave him behind when he remarries and moves to California. It stars Melvyn Douglas, Gene Hackman, Dorothy Stickney, Estelle Parsons, Elizabeth Hubbard, Lovelady Powell and Conrad Bain.

Gene Garrison Gene Hackman is a widowed New York college professor who is in a long distance relationship with a woman in California. Gene wants to marry and move to California, where his girlfriend has her medical practice and is raising her children. His mother is sympathetic to Genes dreams of moving, although aware of the toll it could take on his father Douglas. Family tension exists as his father disowned Genes sister Parsons, for marrying a Jew. When his mother suddenly dies, Genes plans are thrown into disarray. Gene has lived in the shadow of his towering father, who is expecting Gene to stay and watch over him. Gene must decide for himself if hell stay to care for his father or finally move on with his life.The film was shot in various locations, including Southern California and the Great Neck Douglaston area of New York. Applauded by critics and viewers, the film and play predicted the coming of the sandwich generation, in this case, grown children and other family members helping their elderly parents who are up in age and cant help themselves. It would lead to other films on the subject, including the movies The Savages and Away from Her. ........

Source: Wikipedia