The Apple Dumpling Gang (DVD)

...once again managed to hit the mother lode in 1975 with the release of the Apple Dumpling Gang. Following a trio of orphans who are fostered with a quite unwilling Russel Donovan, who also happens to be a hopelessly inept gambler, we are treated to some of the very best comic slapstick ever to grace the screen. Poor Mr Donovan is literally duped into holding onto "some valuables" which he is most dismayed to discover are three little vagabonds. ...
...lots of attention and greed. The townspeople want that gold, so insist it is kept at the bank, and that the children and Mr Donovan cannot touch it. The gold just seems to bring trouble, so the children decide to give it away after meeting two hapless bandits. Forming The Apple Dumpling Gang with the bandits, they hatch a plan to rob the bank in order to retrieve their own gold, promising that the bandits can keep it all for themselves. What they ... more

After a long absence of truly great live action films, Disney once again managed to hit the mother lode in 1975 with the release of the Apple Dumpling Gang. Following a trio of orphans who are fostered with a quite unwilling Russel Donovan, who also happens to be a hopelessly inept gambler, we are treated to some of the very best comic slapstick ever to grace the screen. Poor Mr Donovan is literally duped into holding onto "some valuables" which he is most dismayed to discover are three little vagabonds. The children are out messing about one day when they find a large lump of gold that has become exposed thanks to an earlier earthquake. It is 1878, and this is California, so gold means lots of attention and greed. The townspeople want that gold, so insist it is kept at the bank, and that the children and Mr Donovan cannot touch it. The gold just seems to bring trouble, so the children decide to give it away after meeting two hapless bandits. Forming The Apple Dumpling Gang with the bandits, they hatch a plan to rob the bank in order to retrieve their own gold, promising that the bandits can keep it all for themselves. What they all do not realise, however, is that a group of bandits with actual skills in robbery have already decided to go for the gold...

This could have so easily dissolved into syrupy stupidity, but thanks to a high quality script by John Tait, and some truly inpsired casting, we get a rollercoaster ride of laughs and poignancy that marks the very best of Disney's offerings. Bill Bixby (My Favorite Martian, The Incredible Hulk) portrays the gambler with great skill, playing his part with a wry wit that serves well. Harry Morgan (M*A*S*H) as the sheriff is spot on, commanding with a touch of the comically ordinary as always. Don Knotts (Andy Griffith, The Ghost and Mr Chicken) does a stellar turn using his overly lanky and stoop shouldered frame to great effect while his homely face runs from one hilarious expression to another. Ingeniously paired with comedian Tim Conway, who as always is sublimely funny without going anywhere near the top, it is a work of comic genius. It is no wonder that this became an instant box office hit, with numerous repats on Disney's weekly TV show, and was actually the first Disney film chosen to be released on video casette.

Taking place as it does in the historical past, the film has aged quite well. With a lack of need for overly fancy special effects, the characters and action allow this to remain an easy film to watch. There is nothing untoward in this film (it IS vintage Disney after all!), and with an easy to follow plot, this film is as much fun for the youngest member of the family as it is for the adults. 

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