The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

I can't remember if I ever even saw this movie. What I do know for sure is that I had an LP with a large picture book and as you listened to the record you could read along in your book. I MUST have seen the movie because I have such a clear picture of Leslie Ann Warren kicking up her heels in this movie! I have looked for years for a copy of either the record and book, or the movie itself but I never have found one. This movie has some of the greatest songs in it. I still find myself singing snippets from "Ten Feet Off The Ground." Love it, Love it, Love it! As I watch "The Incredibles" again, or put "Monsters Inc." in the DVD player for my children I wish I could find this movie instead. Singing, dancing, romance, politics...this has to be a classic! The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band has it all.

This is a classic Disney movie involving a small bit of American history. This movie deals with a family that moves out to the Dakota Territory and the presidential election involving President Grover Cleveland. If you liked "The Happiest Millionaire" then you will probably enjoy this movie also. Because of this movie, I will always remember that Grover Cleveland lost this reelection, but won next four years later.

If you are a fan of the Sherman Brothers, this movie is a great treat for the ears. The songs are terrific. Parts of the plot (and some of the acting) become irritating at times, but overall this is a good movie. The debate about whether Dakota should be one state or two was real, though not all of the political history in this movie is accurate.

Back in the 60's two films from the Disney Studios featured newcomers John Davidson and Leslie-Ann Warren : The Happiest Millionaire and this one. When Milionare was released it didn't do well and only recently has been restored to it's full Roadshow version. That put a damper on other films to follow and this is one. It's too bad this one didn't come out first as in my opinion it's a better film. The story is more believable and human. Even though you have splendid sets and costumes in Millionaire you have the splendid exteriors here. The only real names in this are Buddy Ebsen and Walter Brennen, although Janet Blair is a name to some. They bring humanity to the roles they play and you don't have them mugging for the cameras like Fred MacMuray and Tommy Steele in the other.

Being a family of musicians there are more entertaining large numbers in this film, especially the one at the end that can be said to be the first time Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn appeared in a film together.

This film as also cut before the release but the VHS copy I have is 130 minutes, so I am hoping it is the full one. (This database lists it as 110 minutes)The only DVD I have seen is in full screen, so let's hope that the Disney vaults are opened again and a proper release of the original version is available to us.

Based on the memoirs of Laura Bower Van Nuys, the 1888 presidential election serves as the backdrop for this lovestory between Laura's older sister, Alice (Leslie Ann Warren) - a teacher and the eldest daughter in the Bower family's musical act, and Joe (John Davidson) - a spin doctor at odds with the families' political views.

The hostilities between Democrats and Republicans over the hotly contested Cleveland/Harrison race and state's rights are more relevant today than ever in light of the 2000 Presidential Election night debaucle. And when Democrat Grandpa Bower, the patriarch of the family, substitute teaches for Alice at the local school, his decision to teach the children his views about the Civil War - very different from the views of the primarily Republican Dakotans - causes an uproar among the settlers and threatens to divide the young lovers forever.

The romantic moments are sweet. The show-stopping numbers which make perfect sense in a musical about a musical act are quite impressive, especially the rousing "Ten Feet Off the Ground" high-kick routine by Warren and Janet Blair, and "West O' The Wide Missouri" featuring a young blonde dancer named Goldie Jean Hawn. Other standout performers are the incomparable Buddy Ebsen, comedian Wally Cox, a very young Kurt Russell and "Walton"/rock guitarist Jon Wamsley, and, as Grandpa, the great Walter Brennan.

As both a musician and political analyst, this movie strikes a "chord" with me (that and the fact that I remember my parents taking me to see it in the theatre and owning both versions of the soundtrack!) An overlooked gem, this is family entertainment that doesn't insult your intelligence. It teaches alot about tolerance without being preachy, and, of course, it all works out in the end.