Corporate Line: This Disney Western has roving bachelor Bixby getting saddled with three children and a wealth of trouble when the youngsters stumble upon a huge gold nugget. They join forces with two bumbling outlaws – Knotts and Conway, of course – to fend off the greedy townspeople and are soon facing a surly gang of sharpshooters.
The Good: I can remember seeing this movie in school when I was a kid. It didn’t quite hold up as well as I remembered. It has its moments but is certainly much more entertaining for kids. Actually my kids watched it, three times in the same day in fact. Disney has a way of giving universal appeal to their movies without worrying that it might not translate thirty years later. It still holds up for the kids today, believe it.
Although I was let down that seeing the movie again didn’t split my sides like I remember it once did there is still a lot to be said about the extras. I enjoyed many of the special features like a “Look Back With The Gang” and the commentary by Susan Clark, Tim Conway, Don Knotts, and Brad Savage. There is a fantastic history of the Disney Back Lot and production stills, biographics and advertising materials. It’s a good bit of nostalgia for the kids like me who grew up in the 70’s.
The Bad: Adults might enjoy watching the film with their kids or just seeing it again for the sake of nostalgia but it’s not the kind of film you’ll watch again and again, unless you have kids.
Frankly: The Apple Dumpling Gang do ride again… on DVD. It’s fun for the kids and nostalgic for the kid in you.
+ Charlie Craine
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