The Barefoot Executive

Director: Robert Butler Robert Butler

Overview

In this Disney spoof of the TV business, Kurt Russell plays a page boy at a bottom-rated TV network. Stuck with his girlfriend's pet chimp, Russell discovers that the chimp has a gift for picking hit TV series. Appointed head of programming, Russell keeps the chimp's talent a secret.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/12/2004
UPC:	0786936278880
Original Release:	1971
Rating:	G
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:36:00
Sales rank:	27,913

Special Features

Dolby Digital mono sound; Full screen (1.33:1)

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Kurt Russell	Steven Post
Joe Flynn	Francis X. Wilbanks
Harry Morgan	E.J. Crampton
Wally Cox	Mertons
Heather North	Jennifer Scott
Alan Hewitt	Farnsworth
Hayden Rourke	Clifford
Raffles the Chimpanzee	Himself
John Ritter	Roger
Jack Bender	Tom
Tom Anfinsen	Dr. Schmidt
George Neise	Network Executive
Morgan Farley	Advertising Executive
Glenn Dixon	Sponsor
Robert Shayne	Sponsor
J.B. Douglas	Network Executive
Ed Prentiss	Justice Department
Fabian Dean	Jackhammer Man
Iris Adrian	Woman Shopper
Jack Smith	Clatworthy
Eve Brent	Mrs. Crampton
Sandra Gould	Mrs. Wilbanks
James Flavin	Father O'Leary
Pete Renoudet	Policeman
Judson Pratt	Policeman
Vince Howard	Policeman
Hal Baylor	Policeman
Bill Daily	Navigator
Dave Willock	Doorman
Anthony Teague	TV Salesman
Edward Faulkner	Reporter
Tris Coffin	Sponsor
Howard Culver	Actor
Hayden Rorke	Clifford
Ed Reimers	Announcer
"Smiling" Jack Smith	Clatworthy
Pete L. Renoudet	Policeman
Robert F. Brunner	Composer

Technical Credits

Joseph McEveety

William H. Anderson	Executive Producer,Producer
Robert Butler	Director
Bill Anderson	Producer
Joseph McEveety	Screenwriter
Robert Cook	Sound/Sound Designer
Dean Thomas	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

From its "swinging" title song to its motorcycle-riding hero, The Barefoot Executive is a likeable, harmless little family diversion that younger audiences especially will enjoy. Older audiences will find it much more palatable than many other kid flicks, as well, thanks to a screenplay that has a little more originality to it than many other Disney offerings of the era. That's not to say that the screenplay is great; many of the situations are predictable and/or incredible and/or manipulative. But the basic premise is amusing, and the writers have come up with some fairly fresh twists here and there to keep things hopping. Barefoot also has Kurt Russell on hand, turning in one of his patented appealing performances. He's in very fine form here, as a young man with ideas and ambition who finds himself with a rare opportunity and an ethical dilemma. It's a part that Russell knew how to play perfectly, allowing the character to do a few things that were ethically questionable yet still maintaining audience sympathy throughout. The supporting cast features such character stalwarts as Joe Flynn, Harry Morgan and Wally Cox, turning in their usually dependable performances and helping to shore up some of the weaker elements in the story. Robert Butler's direction is crisp and direct, and he even keeps the "funny animal" routine from getting too cutesy. The sum is a very pleasant, nicely amusing, definitely family friendly little film.