Movie Type: Musical Comedy, Family-Oriented Comedy
Themes: Eccentric Families, On the Campaign Trail
Main Cast: Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren, Janet Blair
Release Year: 1968
Country: US
Run Time: 110 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Plot
Set in 1888, this tuneful fact-based Disney production concerns the attempts of a musically talented family of Dakota pioneers -- who are politically divided on the upcoming presidential election -- to wrangle an invite to that year's Democratic convention in cosmopolitan St. Louis. Incumbent Grover Cleveland is attempting to win his second straight election and is challenged by Benjamin Harrison. The results are that Cleveland won the popular vote, but Harrison won the electoral vote to be declared President of the United States. Cleveland would win the next election to become the only President to ever serve two non-consecutive terms. Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, Janet Blair, Richard Deacon, Wally Cox, John Davidson and Leslie Ann Warren round out the adult cast. Along with the moppets, they sing and dance to espouse their political allegiances to the candidate of their choice. Look closely for Goldie Hawn in her first film role as a laughing chorine. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Review
A flat and only intermittently entertaining musical from the Disney studios, The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band features a good cast that doesn't get enough of a chance to show what they can do. The score by the Sherman Brothers is catchy and hummable, but aside from the expansive "Dakota", it's not really impressive or up to the task of anchoring a major musical film. More depth, greater inventiveness in melody and more character-driven or --revealing numbers are needed; instead, what we have is pleasant and innocuous. Still, the score is a good deal better than the screenplay, which plods terribly and features terribly leaden dialogue and a surfeit of rather boring (because they are merely repetitive) political arguments. After the dreadful response to its previous "roadshow" musical, The Happiest Millionaire, Disney made sure that Band was of a more manageable length -- but even so, Michael O'Herlihy's pacing makes it feel too long. Fortunately, Walter Brennan is his usual feisty old codger self, Buddy Ebsen gets to do a bit of a soft shoe, Lesley Ann Warren has plenty of charm and Janet Blair is serenely winning. The cast gives Band some much needed zip. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Kurt Russell - Sidney Bower; Steve Harmon - Ernie Stubbins; Richard Deacon - Charlie Wrenn; Wally Cox - Wampler; Debbie Smith - Lulu Bower; Bobby Riha - Mayo Bower; Smitty Wordes - Nettie Bower; Heidi Rook - Rose Bower; John Walmsley - Quinn Bower; Pamelyn Ferdin - Laura Bower; John Craig - Frank; William Woodson - Henry White; Goldie Hawn - Giggly Girl; Jonathan Kidd - Telegrapher
Credit
Herman A. Blumenthal - Art Director, Carroll Clark - Art Director, Chuck Keehne - Costume Designer, Emily Sundby - Costume Designer, Bill Thomas - Costume Designer, Michael O'Herlihy - Director, Cotton Warburton - Editor, Richard M. Sherman - Composer (Music Score), Robert B. Sherman - Composer (Music Score), Gordon Hubbard - Makeup, Frank Phillips - Cinematographer, Bill Anderson - Producer, Hal G. Gausman - Set Designer, Emile Kuri - Set Designer, Harold Lewis - Sound/Sound Designer, Lowell S. Hawley - Screen Story, Lowell S. Hawley - Screenwriter, Laura Bower VanNuys - Book Author
