The father - daughter rift depicted on screen closely paralleled the real - life relationship between the two Fondas .
Jane Fonda purchased the rights to the play specifically for her father , Henry Fonda , to play the role of the cantankerous Norman Thayer .
The father - daughter rift depicted on screen closely paralleled the real - life relationship between the two Henry Fonda .
Jane Fonda purchased the rights to the play specifically for her father , Henry Fonda , to play the role of the cantankerous Norman Thayer .