um. there wasn't really anything to this film. it's almost judgment proof because how can anyone have a problem with material this unambitious and lightweight. it was pretty much commercial junk from the seventies. it probably has more in common with television of that time period than with theatrical fare. however, as usual with most of the formula Disney live action films at this time, this is a lot better than you would really think something like this would be.
although the budget utilizes the same efficient cost cutting methods always used by Disney, it manages to pull in a polished, commercially slick entertainment. i mean Disney had to keep their audiences coming back so they didn't resort to a "take the money and run" approach that some low budget films and kid's films in particular often tried to get away with back then. it's not that there was much to this film, but it was a lot more engaging and funny then it should've turned out to be.
there is some nice location photography here which was unusual for older Disney films of that time. most things were done "in House" utilizing their regular facilities and staff, or they shot location at the Disney Gold Oaks Ranch. the acting and characterization is a lot better than this deserves as well. the family seems sweet and likable. i've also felt Dean Jone's performances in Disney movies were underrated. a lot of this film clicks and works out nicely and competently for what it is. which it really doesn't profess to do much except pass about 93 minutes.
Harry Morgan was pretty funny here. a lot of the gags involving his "old geezer" routine work and are a "old geezer" hoot. it's also nice to see Fred MacMurray's love interest from 'The Absent Minded Professor', Nancy Olsen.
what really distinguishes this film as Disney fun is the fact that it strangely resembles a old 1940's Disney cartoon short with Goofy that was called 'How to Ski or Shee'. much of the slapstick gags involving ski stunts look straight out of Goofy's toon. if you also own the Goofy cartoon it makes a great companion short to this movie.
there was one guy on IMDb here who claimed in his review that Dean Jones made 75 comedies for Disney. WHAT THE HEY?! no way. Disney's output in the old Burbank days were far less than most studios. Disney only released a few films a year. all the Dean Jones movies for Disney only amount to a about a dozen. geez. get your facts straight people. i guess because fans don't inform themselves much on the old Burbank studio that they don't really know much about their operations and output.
this Disney film is not a great movie or a great Disney film for that matter. but it is still entertaining even after all these years. it's fun nostalgia and it's genuinely funny. most of the old Burbank studio films were. although some of the Disney live action films from the past often amounted to more than this and a good many of them were outstanding.
this movie is a definite must for any Disney fan interested in the Disney archives. if just for that reason alone.
although the budget utilizes the same efficient cost cutting methods always used by Disney, it manages to pull in a polished, commercially slick entertainment. i mean Disney had to keep their audiences coming back so they didn't resort to a "take the money and run" approach that some low budget films and kid's films in particular often tried to get away with back then. it's not that there was much to this film, but it was a lot more engaging and funny then it should've turned out to be.
there is some nice location photography here which was unusual for older Disney films of that time. most things were done "in House" utilizing their regular facilities and staff, or they shot location at the Disney Gold Oaks Ranch. the acting and characterization is a lot better than this deserves as well. the family seems sweet and likable. i've also felt Dean Jone's performances in Disney movies were underrated. a lot of this film clicks and works out nicely and competently for what it is. which it really doesn't profess to do much except pass about 93 minutes.
Harry Morgan was pretty funny here. a lot of the gags involving his "old geezer" routine work and are a "old geezer" hoot. it's also nice to see Fred MacMurray's love interest from 'The Absent Minded Professor', Nancy Olsen.
what really distinguishes this film as Disney fun is the fact that it strangely resembles a old 1940's Disney cartoon short with Goofy that was called 'How to Ski or Shee'. much of the slapstick gags involving ski stunts look straight out of Goofy's toon. if you also own the Goofy cartoon it makes a great companion short to this movie.
there was one guy on IMDb here who claimed in his review that Dean Jones made 75 comedies for Disney. WHAT THE HEY?! no way. Disney's output in the old Burbank days were far less than most studios. Disney only released a few films a year. all the Dean Jones movies for Disney only amount to a about a dozen. geez. get your facts straight people. i guess because fans don't inform themselves much on the old Burbank studio that they don't really know much about their operations and output.
this Disney film is not a great movie or a great Disney film for that matter. but it is still entertaining even after all these years. it's fun nostalgia and it's genuinely funny. most of the old Burbank studio films were. although some of the Disney live action films from the past often amounted to more than this and a good many of them were outstanding.
this movie is a definite must for any Disney fan interested in the Disney archives. if just for that reason alone.