The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

Director: Michael O'Herlihy Michael O'Herlihy

Overview

"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."

Product Details

Release Date:	07/06/2004
UPC:	0786936234299
Original Release:	1968
Rating:	G
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	1:50:00
Sales rank:	13,413

Special Features

Feature commentary with Lesley Ann Warren, John Davidson and Richard Sherman; The Family Band album; French and Spanish subtitles; Dolby Digital Mono sound; Fullscreen (1.33:1)

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Walter Brennan	Grandpa Bower
Buddy Ebsen	Papa Bower
John Davidson	Joe Carder
Lesley Ann Warren	Alice Bower
Janet Blair	Katie Bower
Kurt Russell	Sidney Bower
Steve Harmon	Ernie Stubbins
Richard Deacon	Charlie Wrenn
Wally Cox	Mr. Wampler
Debbie Smith	Lulu Bower
Bobby Rhia	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
Richard Sherman	Composer,Composer

Technical Credits

Lowell Hawley

William H. Anderson	Producer
Michael O'Herlihy	Director
Lowell Hawley	Screenwriter
Bill Anderson	Producer
Harold Lewis	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

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.