The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)

Purely Joyful Movie!

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

It's 1888. Calvin Bower (Buddy Ebsen) intends to have his family band play at the Democratic National Committee for President Grover Cleveland despite the fact that he's a Republican. Elder daughter Alice (Lesley Ann Warren) is in love with Joe Carder (John Davidson) who turns out to be a Republican activist. Former Confederate grandpa is a staunch Democrat although mother insists on no politics at home. Joe is recruiting southern families to migrate to the Dakota territory. The Bower family follows him there. The main issue of the day is to divide into two states so that they can send four Republican senators.Mixing politics into a Disney movie is a losing proposition. It's too complicated to simplify into a family film. I don't think Little Mermaid should be a Hilary supporter. It's very odd to have high level political arguments in a Disney musical. They're only self-serving political arguments anyways. I don't think Electoral College makes for good plot development. On top of that, the songs are not memorable and I don't like Joe. On the other hand, it is interesting to see some of these actors. One should notice young Disney star Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn in her film debut in a minor role. This is not one of the Disney classics.

If I did "see" it, it was on Walt Disney Presents and it wasn't on a color TV. A fabulous cast: Janet Blair, Buddy Epsen, Walter Brennan, John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Richard Deacon, Wally Cox, and others. A few "humable" Sherman Bros. songs. One song-after-another in the first 20 minutes may put you off at first, but stay with it. The family band wants to sing at the Grover Cleveland rally in St. Louis, but instead ends up resettling in The Dakota Territory. A somewhat predictable plot involving romance between Lesley and John and some family political disagreements. The last 30 minutes of the movie really "click" and thus I "upgraded" my initial rating from 8 to 9. A rousing full cast "dance" number followed by a "brawl" in which nobody really gets hurt, Disney-style. (Walt Disney died before the film was completed and it was released 18 months after his death.) Perhaps the last live action musical Disney Studios film until the very recent Beauty and The Beast? Walter Brennan does an outstanding job and "holds" the movie together!

I'm a huge classic Disney fan, so when I saw this decided to rent it. Honestly, I didn't have high hopes for high score on it because of it being a musical and I'm not a Lesley Ann Warren fan -- I figured it would be a bit cheesy, However, this was a truly delightful movie...what tames down the "cheese" are Walter Brennan and Buddy Ebsen.. there's the right balance of music, romance, patriotism, and fun to make it quite good! The Mom figure (Janet Blair) isn't too coddling, there's not too much "children" stuff -- again, Walter Brennan in my opinion MADE this film! What a classy guy! Also, I appreciate that they used a background of an election on two less well known presidential candidates and mix in the history perfectly. Watch for a very young Goldie Hawn who met Kurt Russell for the first time on this film! :) Also not well known is that Walt Disney passed away before production finished and so the cast is working daily with that loss! Thumbs up, Disney for another phenomenal family film -- less well known, but utterly delightful. 'Bout time' this movie gets some recognition!

it was nice to see that all the reviews of this film were good, positive, reviews. glad because that means i don't have to heatedly defend it online from a bunch of cynical, sour-puss, stick-in-the-mud, types.you know the way that some people get all worked up and excited over rock stars? or the way recent Disney fans get into 'High School Musical'? that's how i feel about this movie. the very mention of it's title gets me all worked up and jumping. for me this movie is so awesome it's hard to describe the jubilation and excitement it gives me on the inside. when i was a little kid of only 7 yrs, i had the Disney song record to this and every time i would think about it i would go nuts with excitement.i love everything about this film. the charming acting ( i love Walter Brennan), the sense of history, the tuneful and often very funny music, and above all it's sense of romance and dedication to family principles and values.it also seems to mean if you have a true love of America and what it stands for you will see this film and not hesitate. old fashioned Republicans or stubborn Democrats alike will find something to relate or laugh about. Buddy Ebsen has one of the funniest lines when he says the Grover Cleveland song "wouldn't be appreciated at a republican convention" hilarious.everyone visiting IMDb 'Family Band' site should read the review by AllenBlank (his review was sooo intelligent and said it all) and the review of the sweet lady who knew one of the children from the cast.it doesn't matter that Walt Disney himself could be a hard-nosed Republican. this film is for everyone. it certainly doesn't spout the reactionary Republican sentiments of 'Happiest Millionaire' (which i also really like), but a fair consideration of both parties. it also has a deep message of how politics can destroy a family unit and tear it apart.Repub or donkey it doesn't matter with this film. it's all good. i mean i totally HATE politics and don't like political solutions to anything. I am also not nationalistic, which this film is. but i can enjoy the rich history and values this country was founded on. God Bless this little joyful film. it has given me so much happiness.