WATERLOO - In the litany of James Bond movies, "Moonraker" doesn't top many lists, but it remains a favorite for Will Shepherd.

The 1979 thriller set in outer space during the Roger Moore years still provides a vivid memory for Shepherd - attending the film as a 10-year-old with his father - UNI music professor Bill Shepherd - and one of his father's friends.

"They let me tag along to the Regent Theater in Cedar Falls with them to see it. The movie was OK, but it was probably more entertaining just to be with the 'big kids' who seemed to enjoy the exploits of James Bond and all his grown-up toys," said Shepherd, who now lives in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

Mingled with memories of playing catch or the family trip to Disney World, dads everywhere are remembered via the big and small screens. Plenty of bonds have been strengthened while sitting in a darkened theater munching popcorn or sharing the comfort of the living room sofa.

Shepherd has memories of watching television with his father from an even younger age. When he was around 5 years old, his dad would come home each night during the reruns of "Batman," the live-action series starring Adam West.

"It had great cartoon-like action with the words 'Kerplang' and 'Kaboom' appearing on the screen whenever Batman or Robin landed a punch on the Joker or the Penguin," said Shepherd. "My dad could really tell I enjoyed the show and upon his return from one business trip he brought home a Batman costume. I still have a photo of myself in the costume looking very proud to be wearing it."

At 39, Amy Meier, of Shell Rock, still has a soft spot for the television series "Little House on the Prairie."

"Ever since I was a little girl, that was our family show … It never failed, as each show was drawing to an end, all five of us sat there in tears," said Meier. "I remember, with tears running down my cheeks, trying to look - with only my eyes - at my dad. He would always come up with some excuse as to why he also had them."

Meier sees a number of similarities between her dad, Jim Olmstead, and the series' loving father figure, Charles Ingalls, portrayed by Michael Landon.

"Each time I watch a rerun … I am overcome with warm thoughts of my dad, and how much he loves family, truth, hard work and God …," she said.

It was a big-screen fatherly bond that brought out the softer side in Grag Zars' dad. After ending a routine call with his father a few years ago, the phone rang again. Zars' father was in tears, telling his son how much he loved him.

"He had been watching the film 'Seabiscuit' and was moved by the part of the film where Charles Howard (played by Jeff Bridges) loses his son. He hadn't even finished the movie!" said Zars. "I remember this so vividly because hearing from my dad that I mean so much to him was and is very touching."

Melissa Ormechea, manager of the Cedar Falls Family Video, gave a range of film genres that tend to please father and son or daughter. "Mr. Holland's Opus," starring Richard Dreyfuss as a music teacher and father of a deaf son, is touching. "A Christmas Story" reminds a lot of people of their childhoods. "The Pursuit of Happyness," a recent movie based on a true story, stars real-life father and son Will and Jaden Smith. "Secondhand Lions" looks at the bonds formed between a misplaced kid and the uncles who served as his dads.

As for Ormechea herself, the films she remembers watching with her father were a bit different.

"He liked all those B movies. The really bad ones," she laughed. "And look where I am now."

Contact Kelsey Holm at (319) 291-1464 or kelsey.holm@wcfcourier.com.

{M3Looking for the right movie to make your Father's Day memorable? Here are a few recommendations from the staff at Family Video in Cedar Falls.

"Maverick," 1994

{M3A gambler played by Mel Gibson cons his way into and out of trouble in the Old West. Also starring Jodie Foster and James Garner

{M3"Grumpy Old Men," 1993

{M3A lifelong feud between two neighbors (played by real-life pals Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon) gets worse when a new woman moves to their neighborhood.

{M3"Fathers' Day," 1997

{M3Two men (Billy Crystal and Robin Williams), each of who think they may have fathered a runaway, team up to search for the kid.

{M3"Happy Gilmore," 1996

{M3For lovers of Adam Sandler, hockey and especially golf.

{M3"Daddy Day Care," 2003

{M3Two laid-off fathers (Eddie Murphy and Jeff Garlin) decide to open a daycare when they can't find work.

{M3"The Lion King," 1994

{M3A young lion must learn to cope on his own after the loss of his King-of-the-Jungle father in this animated Disney favorite.

{M3Favorite series

"Major League"

{M3A screwball series about a winning team full of losers.

{M3"Ocean's" series

{M3This three-part series about a group of witty casino thieves is just finishing up with "Ocean's 13," currently in theaters.

{M3"Rocky"

{M3The quintessential series that portrays the ups and downs of life through boxing.

{M3"James Bond"

{M3Every fan has a favorite incarnation of the classic spy, whether it's Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan or the new, blond Daniel Craig.