The Gnome-Mobile (1967)

Northern California's majestic Redwood Forest is the scene for a chance encounter between two young children (Matthew Garber, Karen Dotrice) and Jasper (Tom Lowell), a two-foot-high gnome. Jasper has been desperately searching for a suitable bride to please Knobby (Walter Brennan), his 900-year-old grandfather. Surprised and delighted with their find, the children agree to help Jasper with his predicament -- a problem that develops into a wild chase when an enterprising showman (Sean McClory) discovers the gnomes and quickly masterminds a kidnapping plot!

Very pleased

Very pleased with how easy and fast. Was very nice to find this on Amazon
April 18, 2008

Disney Classic wins again

As usual Walter Brennan does a tremendous job. This is a good movie to instill forest conservation into young and old alike. October 19, 2007

Cute Children's Movie

This movie is a cute story about a grandfather and his grandchildren encountering gnomes in the redwoods of Northern California. The story is suitable for children of all ages. Adults who remember this movie when it was first released in the 1960's will enjoy reliving the memory.

Walter Brennan was going strong in 1967 when he played D. J. Mulrooney, a wealthy man who made a fortune in lumber. One of the casualties of his wealth was many of the great redwoods of Northern California. Mulrooney is traveling with his grandchildren Rodney Winthrop (the late Matthew Garber, in his third and final movie role, the first two also being Disney movies, "The Three Lives of Thomasina" and "Mary Poppins") and Elizabeth Winthrop (Karen Dotrice, who appeared in the same three movies as Matthew Garber and continues to act). When the three stop to eat in a grove of redwoods, they discover gnomes Knobby (also played by Walter Brennan) and Jasper (Tom Lowell, who appeared as Canoe in the 1965 version of "That Darn Cat" and also appeared in "The Boatniks"). The children and their grandfather learn that Jasper and Knobby are the only gnomes left in that area of the redwoods. They also learn that Knobby blames Mulrooney for destruction of the redwoods. Mulrooney offers to take the gnomes to another grove of redwoods where he is sure that there are more gnomes, including female gnomes! Let the mayhem begin!

The gnomes are spotted by a combination con man (played by Sean McClory, who starred in many well-known films, such as "The Happiest Millionaire," "The Quiet Man" and "David and Bathsheba"). Another Disney regular, Norman Grabowski, appears as a male nurse at the institution where they confine Mulrooney because anyone who sees gnomes must be crazy. The fun spirals higher when the children come to spring grandpa from the institution and the reunited family charge off to recover the kidnapped gnomes. Another highlight of this portion of the film is a fun chase scene, though the close-ups look fake, typical in movies of this era. The conclusion is both fun and a bit weak, depending on whether you are looking at the specific parts of the conclusion, or the final scenes, where the special effects of the gnomes are quite excellent.

This film also marked the final appearance of funnyman Ed Wynn, who appears all too briefly in this film.

This movie was made in the transition period for Disney Studios between the time when Disney was known for great movies and the time when Disney churned out a bunch of inexpensively made movies that tried, sometimes successfully, to capture the old Disney magic. This film partially succeeds in capturing that magic, though much of the credit must be given to Walter Brennan and the Disney regulars. The special effects at the end of the movie were also enjoyable and lent a nice magical air to the film.

The overall result is a serviceable family film. The story is captivating for younger children in the age range between 4 years old and 10 years old, and the movie contains enough humor that parents will find smiles throughout the film. I recommend this movie to fans of older Disney movies, fans of Walter Brennan, fans of gnomes and fans of the cute children from Mary Poppins. Of course, families with young children will like this one too.

As many other reviewers have pointed out, this movie is presented in 1.33:1 aspect ratio - meaning full screen. However, this movie was filmed in 1.75:1 aspect ratio. The studio used a technique called pan and scan to cut the film to 1.33:1, which is unfortunate for those of us watching the film. Would I have rated this movie four stars if the aspect ratio would have been wide screen? I do not know. Maybe. Perhaps one day we will all know for sure. Until the day when someone wakes up and realizes there is more to see than meets the eye, we are stuck with this version.

For those of you who are okay with full screen, enjoy! For those of us with wide screen televisions and a full screen movie, well, good luck!

August 23, 2007

Nostalgia at it's best

This was one of my all-time favorite Disney movies as a kid. When my son told me that his mother wanted it for her birthday, I ordered it right away. The three of us watched it together, and enjoyed every minute. The picture quality is perfect, and the colors are spectacular. July 21, 2007

Fabulous!

I remember my mom sharing this one with my brother and me. I'm so glad I can share it with my daughter. July 9, 2007

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