The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

1968 "The Family That Plays Together, Stays Together"
6.3| 1h50m| G| en
Details

The Bower Family Band petitions the Democratic National Committee to sing a Grover Cleveland rally song at the 1888 convention, but decide instead to move to the Dakota territory on the urging of a suitor to their eldest daughter. There, Grampa Bower causes trouble with his pro-Cleveland ideas, as Dakota residents are overwhelmingly Republican, and hope to get the territory admitted as two states (North and South Dakota) rather than one in order to send four Republican senators to Washington. Cleveland opposed this plan, refusing to refer to Congress the plan to organize the Dakotas this way. When Cleveland wins the popular vote, but Harrison the presidency due to the electoral college votes, the Dakotans (particularly the feuding young couple) resolve to live together in peace, and Cleveland grants statehood to the two Dakotas before he leaves office (along with two Democrat-voting states, evening the gains for both parties).

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Reviews

Ensofter Overrated and overhyped
Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??
Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined
GarnettTeenage The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.
mike48128 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!
kindtxgal 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!
dear1953 This has to be one of the best Disney movies ever. I haven't seen it in a number of years but will be so happy when it comes out on DVD so I can have a personal copy and can share it with my grandchildren. I remember watching it after Goldie Hawn was a big name and I recognized her right away. Of course, Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson are as good here as they were in "The Happiest Millionaire". I got my 6 year old grandson hooked on that one. If you want the old Disney classics, this is a must for your collection.
ldslady11 I saw this film as a young child and never forgot it. Regrettably it was never available to view on VHS. It wasn't until years later that it came on cable and I watched it with pure delight. This is one movie that for some reason as been long overlooked and never brought to light like so many of Disney's other movies. It is a gem and one that I would dearly love to own. Do so wish it was available on DVD. If you ever get the chance to view it it is well worth the time or expense to do so.