The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)

The One and Only Genuine, Original Family Band

This was one of my kids favorite movies and mine. I'm young at heart. Watch and enjoy this one. May 9, 2008

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren at their singing best! And Goldie Hawn too in her first movie! Wow! September 8, 2007

True Story

I saw this gem at the theatre when it first came out. In fact, like most Disney movies then, I went back every week as long as it ran. I not only loved the musical scores, but found the story entertaining. This movie taught me what the Electoral college was.
But movies are always more interesting, when they are based on true stories. This was based on a book by one of the Bower girls, from the "Little House" days. I read the book, just to glimpse a slice of life from those glory days.
I only have the video cassette, but I sure hope the DVD has the origional 'full length' version, because there is so much missing in this version. Several of the musical scores have been cut, and "West of the Wide Missouri" has been cut in half. At the election celebration, in the grand finale of the movie, they played the full orchestral version of all the songs.
If you were lucky enough to see the full movie on the big screen, I'm sure you would remember this movie as fondly as I did. July 15, 2007

If You Like Songs About Politics.

This 1968 film was doomed to failure before they started, when someone decided to write songs about politics in a movie about politics. It is like a song about a dead camel; does not matter how talented the song writers are; how interesting is song about a dead camel going to be? The political song is catchy "Were going over with Grover", but politics in our time is depressing, and we would like another topic. The successful song in "Mary Poppins" of the secret suffragettes (women's Right to vote) was different, a song saying humor not politics, by exceptional character actresses. It appears the producer has broken "Mary Poppins" into a formula to apply here, and like applying a formula to religion, a formula does not give personality, spirit, and soul. "Mary Poppins" was not made with a formula, and was a great film.

Of some interest to see Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen; and some children who go on to other movies and television. Butch Patrick is charming as the boy politely questioning the substitute teacher's credentials (the best scene). Too bad he was type-cast as Eddie Munster, as he shows charming talent at a young age.

It is a shame Disney stopped doing musicals. It was not the song-writers.

Better Disney type musicals are: "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "Summer Magic".
April 6, 2007

Simply Divine!

I remember seeing "Family Band" when it first came out on the big screen in the 1960's and was enchanted with it then. I am still enjoying it today on DVD. Everything about it is so beautiful. The digital remastering, the bright, crisp images, the gorgeous music, etc. So many talented actors are in this film, and the score is chock full of tunes that will stay in your head for a long time. The music is so fine. Like "Mary Poppins," the Sherman brothers worked their magic again to produce tunes that will keep you singing for days. The dancing is so good, too. And then there's the story! You'll get an American history lesson on top of everything else. You can amaze your friends with your knowledge of the Grover Cleveland/Benjamin Harrison presidential campaign of the late 1880's! This is truly a family movie, one that will surely please the little ones as well as the adults. And any musicians and singers in your viewing audience will love and appreciate the talent and hard work that went into making this musical. I just cannot say enough about this fine movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. They just don't make 'em like this anymore, sadly. March 30, 2007

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