The Gnome-Mobile (1967)

7/10

Atreyu_II18 February 2009

In all the 3 movies which Matthew Garber appeared, Karen Dotrice was his co-star. "The Gnome Mobile" is the third of them. The previous ones are "The Three Lives of Thomasina" and "Mary Poppins". This duo is also known as the «Mary Poppins kids». Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice are two of my favorite kid stars, particularly Matthew.

This fantasy film is something I recommend for anyone who likes old live-action Disney films, Disney in general and especially for fans of Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice, no matter their age. Yet, this film seems to be more for children because it's somewhat childish.

The film was directed by the famous Robert Stevenson, the same guy who directed movies such as the great "Old Yeller" and "Mary Poppins" and the okay films "The Love Bug", "Herbie Rides Again" and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks".

The movie is generally likable, colorful and has soul, but it doesn't manage to be a truly great movie. The movie is quite promising in the beginning and it goes rather well until more or less the middle, perhaps a bit later than that. However, after that it isn't that great and becomes a little goofy for my taste.

The sceneries are great, particularly the forest, which create an atmosphere that strongly resembles "The Wizard of Oz". Less good are some scenes with cars that inspired certain scenes for "The Love Bug", but at least those scenes are separate. The scenes with gnomes clearly resemble later movies such as "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". At the end, there are some nice primitive special effects.

Walter Brennan is excellent in the role of the eccentric but disciplined D.J. Mulrooney and he is never annoying, unlike that gnome with big beird whose name I don't even know. The character D.J. Mulrooney owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom II, the gnome mobile of the title. A fine automobile indeed, but gigantic. If we consider its immense size and the time when the car was made, it's concerning the serious dangers they took with such an unsafe and huge car by doing some crazy stuff in curves and high speed.

As for the kids (Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice), they are perfect in their acting. Very lively, cute, charming, smart and classy. It's possible to see Matthew Garber doing incredible things here, such as driving a car and climbing a building. In fact, the scene when Matthew tries to drive the huge car but can't reach the pedals because he's too small for it is funny and Karen gives him a help. After the funny sequence when he climbs a building and helps his grandfather to escape is when the movie begins to lose its initial greatness.

Matthew Garber portrays Rodney, while Karen Dotrice plays Elizabeth. They're brothers and their surname is Winthrop. I've gotta say, Rodney is a lovely and different name - very classy and British too. I love Matthew's lines «When I get a car, it's going to be a Maserati» and «1 horsepower??». The kid is fine, huh? I mean, a Maserati. That's thinking tall :)

The classic comedian Ed Wynn has a small role as one of the gnomes at the end, but this time he isn't as funny as usual.

Sad that Matthew Adam Garber is not with us anymore. Why didn't he and Karen keep in touch after this film? After all, they did 3 movies together and they were friends. Another funny line of Matthew is when he comments that nobody has a snoring like grandpa...

As for the soundtrack, "The Gnome Mobile Song" is great, very charming, jolly and timeless. The movie wasn't a success. Maybe Matthew lost his motivation because of this and gave up on his acting career. Probably Karen felt the same and maybe that's why she was such a long time without making movies.

In conclusion, a decent movie although not all that great. But it's worth for the lovely Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice.

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7/10

Busy, lively live-action Disney feature with plenty to like.

barnabyrudge15 March 2005

The kids from Mary Poppins are re-united on screen to play modern-day siblings in this likable live-action Disney feature. Also on display are some neat special effects (for the time, anyway), in which normal-sized actors and gnomes seem to share the same screen space.

Rodney (Matthew Garber) and Elizabeth (Karen Dotrice) arrive in San Francisco to meet up with their grandfather D.J Mulrooney (Walter Brennan), who runs a successful lumber company. They drive out to a redwood forest for a picnic, where Elizabeth happens across a gnome named Jasper (Tom Lowell), who begs her for help. Seems Jasper's grandpa Knobby (Brennan, again) is on the verge of death-by-depression because he thinks that he and Jasper are the world's only remaining gnomes and has lost all hope of seeing young Jasper finding a wife. Rodney, Elizabeth and D.J agree to help the gnomes by driving them to other forests further up the coast. En route, an opportunistic freak-show boss, Quaxton (Sean McClory), catches a glimpse of the gnomes and kidnaps them for his carnival. Matters worsen when D.J tries to get his own security agents to lead the hunt for the kidnapped gnomes, for they dismiss his orders as the ramblings of a mad-man and have him locked away in an asylum. Rodney and Elizabeth are the only ones who can free their grandfather, rescue the gnomes, and find a bride for Jasper before it's too late!

Generally-speaking the film is likable and entertaining. Brennan is always a pleasure to watch and this is no exception (in fact, a double-pleasure as he has a dual role). Both child-actors are pretty good, especially Garber who demonstrates an understanding of comic timing/underplaying that most kids just don't have. The special effects are impressive for 1967, with convincing visual trick work to have the gnomes interacting with the humans, and some well done talking-animal-scenes at the beginning of the film. There are a few drawbacks. The title song 'Gnome-Mobile' is truly horrible, and McClory's villain isn't built up enough to make him a hissable bad guy. He just sort of appears in a few scenes looking shady, then disappears from the story without his role in it amounting to very much.

On the whole, I like The Gnome-Mobile. It's harmless fun, with an inventive plot, enjoyable performances and lots of agreeably zany episodes.

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7/10

Lively and enjoyable family film

TheLittleSongbird9 December 2010

The Gnome-Mobile wasn't a perfect movie, but it was a pleasant, lively and enjoyable one for the family. I do think it is a little too short though, consequently while Sean McClory is suitably shady and enjoyable enough as the villain of the piece his character especially doesn't build up to as much as it could've been. Also, I have never been that receptive to the title song, it just seems bland and forgettable and the lyrics for me are quite uninspired. However, The Gnome-Mobile does have a very entertaining story, and some funny scripting. And it too benefits from some nice photography, scenery and costumes. The direction is good, the film goes at a cracking pace and the special effects are surprisingly reasonable. The main merit though of The Gnome-Mobile is the cast. Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber are very appealing while Walter Brennan is simply wonderful in a dual role. Overall, an enjoyable film that doesn't quite make the grade but has a lot of things to make it watchable. 7/10 Bethany Cox

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Deligthful movie for the young ones (and the grown-ups too!)

jiminasabadu14 March 2005

I saw it years ago, before BETA system was erased from the earth, and I still sing the songs from time to time. It is like a weird cross between Mary Poppins, Herbie and fragile rock. It was really amusing and as I said, with some catchy songs. Maybe the special effects are a little bit old-fashioned, but I am sure it is now as charming as it was then. I remember, maybe, the good being too god and the bad guys being too bad but, after all, it's supposed to be for kids!

It's also one of those real image movies from Disney, a little bit forgotten, I don't know why. When home video was striking the world, many titles as this one were released, and now with the DVD explosion, some interesting movies, just like this one, seems to be passed by. I think this is much better than "lizzie McGuire" and all that "princess Disney" stuff and things like that. At least, a movie like "the gnome-Mobile", does say something, not just "hey! be cool and buy clothes" when you read between the lines.

Jimina Sabadú

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6/10

i enjoyed it

jsn_reece26 March 2007

i remember i saw this in the fourth grade.it was when my teacher was having us to watch these kind of movies like Tobey Tyler it was in the year 91.i remember the kids from Mary Poppins.i thought it had got funny when the grandpa got committed and locked up and they try to free him and it ended up in a chase.and ed was great and always will be.better than the blue comedy. any way this movie was a great classic and if i can find it i will buy it.and one other thing they should make a remake of this.but it should be easy to find actors for this. they should get Dakota fanning as the girl.and someone to play the grandpa. but who knows this movie might make it or might not.

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7/10

The director of Mary Poppins makes a rather low key fantasy comedy that's surprisingly underrated.

IonicBreezeMachine3 April 2021

Set in the areas of Northern California around San Francisco and Redwood National Park, the film follows D. J. Mulrooney (Walter Brennan), a well known timber magnate, who embarks on a road trip in his 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II with his two grandchildren, Elizabeth (Karen Dotrice) and Rodney (Matthew Garber), to Seattle to facilitate a business deal involving 50,000 acres of Redwood timber. When the trio stop for a picnic lunch, they encounter a gnome, Jasper (Tom Lowell), and his grandfather Knobby (also Brennan) who are the last gnomes in the area. Knobby is slowly fading away having lost hope of seeing his grandson find a wife and continue the family. The trio volunteer to help them find gnomes in other forests, but a series of misunderstandings, revelations, and mishaps make this easier said than done.

One of the final films to be produced by Walt Disney before his death, The Gnome-Mobile reunites Mary Poppins director, Robert Stevenson, with Jane and Michael Banks actors Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber. The film is an adaptation of the Upton Sinclair children's novel of the same name. The movie has been somewhat changed from the book. While the book is very much a children's fairy tale with a subtle environmental message that fits well within Sinclair's oeuvre, the movie while containing some elements of the book's message is more in line with director Stevenson's more comedic takes such as Blackbeard's Ghost. With that said, despite the liberties taken from the source material, The Gnome Mobile is a really charming comedy adventure with a nice sense of humor and good performances.

The movie's central performance of D. J. Mulrooney played by Walter Brennan works quite well. Brennan basically plays the role with genuine warmth and likability that helps to elevate the movie. Likewise, the child actors Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber are still just as charming here as they were in Mary Poppins and have some good screen presence particularly in a scene where they need to borrow the Rolls Royce in a scene that's both suspenseful and quite funny. The Gnomes are well acted by both Brennan as Knobby the grandfather and Tom Lowell as Jasper and their scenes together are a lot of fun as they're are brought to life as gnomes through a mixture of compositing and rear projection that is nicely integrated with the main actors.

Most of the movie being a road adventure is based on "episodes" our characters encounter, and for the most part they work quite well and ae amusing. One of the episodes that's probably aged somewhat poorly is Jasper's quest for a bride which he does find, but without revealing too much it basically becomes an inverse Pepe le Pew situation where he is becomes Penelope and is chased by many female Le Pews in what's essentially the climax for the movie. I suppose its amusing enough, but there's some thinly veiled causal sexism of the time that creeps its way in. It's subtle enough that most kids won't catch it, but it is there.

The Gnome-Mobile is a charming fantasy family comedy brought to life by good performances and good special effects. While the movie is loosely structured and there's some elements that have become somewhat dated, this is still a charming film that carries that familiar Disney magic.

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6/10

a Familly film

escat_li20 November 2020

This film will be a very good film to watch with your children a funny light film my mother saw that film when she was a child then years alter asked me to find it I enjoyed watching the film

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7/10

Walter Brennan is most definitely the best part

r96sk29 July 2020

Not one to take seriously, but 'The Gnome-Mobile' is endearing and amusing.

Walter Brennan is most definitely the best part of it, playing a dual role. He gives a kind, nice performance as Mulrooney, whilst also appearing grumpy and frustrated as Knobby. If it wasn't for the opening credits, I probably wouldn't have realised it was the same actor for a fair while. The rest of the cast are passable, while there's another small but cheery role for Ed Wynn (Rufus).

The special effects haven't aged greatly, as I'd expect so I don't hold it against this 1967 production. The plot is quite bonkers, especially the odd finale. It, like 'The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin', chooses comedic journey first and storytelling second - that does hamper things but it's OK if they make it work, which they mostly do.

At just 85 minutes, it's a film worth viewing at least once.

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8/10

seeing this as a grown man... wow

Quinoa198428 March 2008

This is a bundle of joy, even at the ripe old age of 24. Maybe I took it all in as if it was meant for pure tongue-in-cheek purposes, but even as pure kids movie entertainment this is a blast (in cheesy ways as well as for-real ones). It's about the world of gnomes in the redwood west-coast forests coming to light for a couple of kids (the Mary Poppens tykes) and an old man who runs a lumber company.

It might make sense to give a little back-up: part of he reason I watched this movie- make that a big reason- was that Upton Sinclair wrote it. There Will Be Blood is now out in theaters, a big success, and I was intrigued by what else was adapted from his works. Seeing this on the credits list made me give a double-take. What? A Disney movie? Will there be socialist gnomes gathering in the streets to protest the ways of the 5 to 6 foot tall bunch? And what about the greedy capitalists cutting down their trees for their profit motives? Do they have no decency?

Those thoughts ran through my mind, thinking that The Gnome Mobile would be bust, some cheesy kids movie that was so bad it would be good. And, in some ways, it is. It breaks into songs in the weirdest of moments (always, it seems, even if infrequently, in the car), and Walter Brennan plays two roles without any real justification except, mayhap, to get a bigger paycheck. But aside from the goofy expectations, it's actually a lot of legitimate fun, too. Kids who aren't completely dulled down by current CGI might get a kick out of seeing how things went in the "old" days (i.e. lots of large back-drop sets, the 'old-school' of blue screen of sorts of forced perspective, matte paintings), and for acting and comedy that is of a completely light manner. There's danger with a villainous freak-show captain (the name Horatio Quaxton in and of itself is great), and members of grandpa's own company.

It's a big, big, big gas. Only in the 2nd climax (yes, there are two, I think, sort of), when the lady gnomes go after Jasper in a courtship ritual do things get a little TOO weird (if that's possible with the frigging Gnome Mobile), and almost a little out of steam.

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6/10

Lively family entertainment.

Hey_Sweden23 July 2020

Warning: Spoilers

Ever-lovable Walter Brennan pulls double duty here, playing two of the key roles in this live-action Disney adaptation of a book by Upton Sinclair. His initial role is that of D.J. Mulroney, a millionaire who takes his grandkids (played by Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber of "Mary Poppins" fame) for a picnic in the forest. They make the acquaintance of likeable gnome Jasper (Tom Lowell) and his excitable grandfather Knobby (Brennan again). These two are concerned that they might be the last of their kind, so the humans and gnomes set off on a road trip. In the meantime, Mulroney's underling Ralph (the great comic character actor Richard Deacon) assumes that his boss has lost his mind when he brings up the gnomes. And the little people get targeted by an antagonist (Sean McClory) who runs a freakshow.

Directed with gusto by Robert Stevenson, "The Gnome-Mobile" is pretty much good, goofy fun, complete with the standard slapstick chase, and a frantic finale where a dozen or so sexy female gnomes compete for Jaspers' love. It's reasonably charming stuff, and isn't overstuffed with musical numbers. There's one song, and one variation on it. This being Disney, it never gets particularly seedy (not much is really done with the McClory role), and it certainly does deliver some chuckles. Even if adults aren't won over by it, it will likely be endearing to younger family members.

Brennan is a joy, especially as Knobby; he's downright hilarious in that role. The rest of the cast is similarly engaging; the kids are appealing (Garber definitely avoids being overly "cute" in his portrayal), and your own kids will enjoy watching the misfortunes of Ralph and Quaxton.

The special effects are a highlight, whether it's the little people interacting with the regular folks, or it's the talking animals (blue jays, a racoon, an owl) at the outset that are sure to delight your children.

While this is clearly not one of Disney's more popular fantasies, it's worth seeking out for curious viewers.

Six out of 10.

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5/10

The Gnome-Mobile

phubbs7 October 2013

Warning: Spoilers

A shiny penny to the man (or lady) who can remember this or has even seen it!. Directed by Disney maestro Robert Stevenson who directed...like ALL of the Disney films through the 50's and 60's!. The film also has various actors from other famous Disney movies such as the 'Mary Poppins' kids, Tom Lowell from 'That Darn Cat' and Disney stalwart Ed Wynn.

The film is based on a story by Upton Sinclair although how accurately I don't know. The story tells of two children and their grandfather who discover gnomes living in the Redwood forests in California. The trio help the two gnomes by escorting them to another wooded area looking for more of their kind. They run into trouble along the way as a freak show owner steal the gnomes and the fact that the kids grandfather is the owner of a logging company that is destroying the gnomes natural habitat.

Much like other classic Stevenson films such as 'Blackbeard's Ghost' this has been forgotten when up against other mega Disney animations. The 60's saw many live action flicks from old Walt which are admittedly terribly dated watching now but the charm factor is through the roof!. The visuals here are your typical vibrant colourful affair, the cheery ever happy acting, quirky sickening songs and those amusing sped up special effects.

I was impressed with the puppetry on display though, at the start of the film the gnomes are chatting with some animal friends of the forest and these creatures look great. Considering this film was made when it was you gotta give kudos to the craftsmanship on show. The effects overall are to a very high degree in general, the bluescreen work is of course obvious but does the job, while enlarged sets to force scale really work nicely, especially inside the Rolls Royce. The entire film has that bold cartoon look about it much like all the other uncle Walt live action films of the era but it does also suffer from feeling somewhat similar to those other films.

There is a nice car chase sequence which is pretty much the same stuff you see in 'The Love Bug', its cool and planted the seed for 'Herbie' but its too much of deja vu for me. Later scenes in the film do tend to feel like other fantasy films also, a bit 'Willy Wonka-ish' a bit 'Wizard of Oz-ish', not totally but you sense it. Unfortunately the film is no where near as great as those films, probably why its long forgotten. You do get the feeling they stuck the 'Mary Poppins' kids in there simply to try and make the film more attractive to audiences still high on that British vibe. Its only Ed Wynn who seems to fit in this fantasy world, even Brennan kinda feels a tad wooden and out of place (his 'Jaunty car' song is pretty awful).

Without sounding too cynical I can see why these films didn't take off as well as the animated films, the use of the same cast doesn't help with originality, I mean you could of stuck Dean Jones in here quite easily and nothing would feel any different. I confess to finding the finale also somewhat disturbing actually, the main young hero gnome is looking for a female partner, so he gets to choose a girl gnome at the end (spoiler aler...oh come on the films 46 years old people!). So all the girly gnomes line up and he gets to choose his sexy gnome wife! lucky boy, so basically we are seeing gnome prostitution are we not?.

Sounds over the top but the dialog coming from the elder gnomes do in fact consolidate my theory. After that the girls must chase and capture our plucky young gnome hero, the one who catches him gets to be his bride...so the whole choosing bit was a complete waste of time. This again seems really dumb, why would anyone run??! these sexy girls are running this guy down and virtually tearing off his gnome pants, oh if only!. Its all done in a very family fun orientated way of course but there does feel like a darker undercurrent here...or maybe that's just me and my sordid mind who knows.

The film is most definitely a Disney classic for sure, chock full of delightful characters, magical sequences of wonder, bright colourful scenery and charming silliness all based around old world fantasy creatures. I'm not so sure kids these days will get a kick out of it as CGI animation seems to be the thing. For me the film is a bit too wishy washy and sappy, not a lot does happen that is memorable and as I've said its way too similar to many other Disney films of the time. Even though the magic on display is created well it does clearly tend to struggle to keep things gripping and inventive, it can't really match the likes of 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks'.

5.5/10

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8/10

The Wee Folk Of The Forest

bkoganbing16 May 2008

One of the most charming fantasies that Walt Disney ever produced was The Gnomemobile. Even seeing it at the age 20 I was rather pleased with this wonderful kid's film. And if you've imbibed in any spirits while viewing it, The Gnomemobile can be quite a trip if you get my drift.

The creators of Mary Poppins almost duplicated their success with The Gnomemobile. Walter Brennan gets to play a dual role, a reprise of the business tycoon from his series, The Tycoon and a mini me version of himself as a leader of a tribe of gnomes.

These little folks live deep in the forest that Brennan's lumber company keeps chopping down and depriving them of a home. I imagine if this had an Irish locale, the wee ones would speak with a brogue and be called leprechauns.

Anyway Brennan the tycoon has a couple of more little ones now, his grandchildren played by Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice the kids from Mary Poppins. They work on grandpa and he takes an interest in the plight of the gnomes. But to help them grandpa faces some considerable opposition, not the least of which that folks just don't believe in the wee folk.

The Gnomemobile marks the farewell performance of Ed Wynn who was a delightful performer who had been in show business for over 60 years when he passed away. Wynn plays one of the gnomes and a rival of sorts to Brennan's mini me.

The Shermans, Robert M. and Richard B. wrote the musical score for The Gnomemobile and while it doesn't provide any lasting songs like Mary Poppins, the score is serviceable enough for the film.

It's as charming as it ever was, but what a gas it is if you're indulging.

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6/10

Just say gno

dbrown-7722 February 2011

The Disney studios made some classic live action movies (Old Yeller, Mary Poppins, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) and some non-classics and lots of "meh" in between.

This movie has some fun elements, but is mostly "meh". It gets two stars for Walter Brennan, two stars for the redwoods, and two stars for the gnome special effects, which are well done.

Young kids will probably enjoy it. Older kids and adults probably won't enjoy it.

Overall this is a pleasant, but undistinguished, product from the Disney factory of the 1960s.

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5/10

Disney slapstick and sentiment, running a bit low on petrol...

moonspinner5511 March 2017

Lumber czar, whose unfaithful staff is trying to sabotage him, takes a car trip with his two grandkids, who are certain they've spotted gnomes in the forest. Upton Sinclair's book becomes a sometimes-sticky sweet comedy from Walt Disney, one saddled with the company's usual ingredients: broad slapstick for the matinée crowds, mercenary corporate baddies, and an extended car chase. Walter Brennan, in a dual role, and Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice (the two cute kids from "Mary Poppins") are lively, yet "The Gnome-Mobile" isn't particularly inventive. Too much screen-time is wasted on contrivances, such as a freak-show entrepreneur kidnapping two of the gnomes (a glinty-eyed villain who does everything but tie the gnomes to the railroad tracks). The enjoyable opening promises a lot more fun than what is delivered, and the screenplay goes for such easy laughs that even children may find their patience taxed. The finale is a big, effects-laden splash with marriage-crazed female gnomes going on a manhunt, but it is unable to redeem the film's overall feeling of fatigue. ** from ****

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Hunting for Gnome's in the Gnome-Mobile.

hitchcockthelegend12 January 2010

The Gnome-Mobile is a Disney production and stars Walter Brennan, Tom Lowell, Matthew Garber, Karen Dotrice, Richard Deacon and sees Ed Wynn cameo. It's based on a 1936 book written by Upton Sinclair called The Gnomobile. The story concerns a timber tycoon called D.J. Mulrooney {Brennan} who along with his two grandchildren Rodney & Elizabeth {Garber & Dotrice}, get involved in the affairs of two Gnomes, Jasper & Knobby {Lowell & Brennan (again) respectively}. Jasper desperately wants a bride and Knobby is fading away as he fears the Gnome race is being wiped out by the constant felling of the forests. But in spite of Knobby's mistrust of humans, especially foresters, all five of them set off in Brennan's Rolls-Royce; now nicknamed The Gnome-Mobile by the children. Sure enough tho, problems arise as first a row breaks out when Knobby finds out about Mulrooney's trade, and worse still, when the two Gnomes are Gnomenapped by weird circus owner Horatio Quaxton {Sean McClory}. What will become of them all in Disney's fantastical family delight?

What more do you want really? Leonard Maltin praised the film as being one of Disney's most unsung comedy/fantasies, and Roger Ebert wryly observed that Disney makes these types of films for kids, not critics. Who am I to argue with those two wise assumptions? It's a jolly film that contains bright and likable characters {acted likewise}, a lovely title song {written by the Sherman Brothers} and lasting effects work that has a timeless charm about it. The story {adventure} zips along with no boorish filler to hinder it, and the finale delivers everything you hope it will. Go Disney, this deserves a bigger reputation for sure. 7/10

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10/10

I was about 9 when this came out...

mikeferguson8 March 2021

...and back in 1967, when you watched a movie, you watched it at your local walk-in theatre or drive-in, and wouldn't be able to see it again until it would be broadcast years later on TV (if it ever was!); so you had nothing but your memories of it, once its theatrical run was over. Except for a few select films that got the rare "re-release" in theatres, that was it! Now, of course, we all take it for granted that newly released feature films will be available for purchase and home viewing within months or even weeks after they're in the theatres. But as a nine-year old boy, having my own personal copy of a beloved film like The Gnome-Mobile was something I could only dream of. So, I'm happy to say I now own a digital copy in HD, and along with many other old favorites in my collection, it can be a nice trip down memory lane whenever the urge strikes. Now that's what I call progress! And while The Gnome-Mobile is clearly a product of its time, and in a few spots possibly would be at odds with our current PC standards, it is nevertheless a good-natured child-friendly adventure that I'll bet will resonate with the kids of today, be they nine, or ninety-nine!

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5/10

THE GNOME-MOBILE (Robert Stevenson, 1967) **1/2

Bunuel197622 December 2007

A good many of Walt Disney Productions' live-action movies would regularly turn up on Italian TV as I grew up, including this one which I missed. That said, while it's well enough liked by authoritative sources such as the late Leslie Halliwell and Leonard Maltin, the film is only average in my view; maybe I'd have enjoyed it more had I caught it during my childhood.

The plot (from an Upton Sinclair book) is simply too juvenile for one to be engrossed in it with perhaps the corniest element of all being the belated introduction of romance among the gnomes. Even so, it's all reasonably pleasant and colorful though the special effects haven't worn the passage of time all that well.

Veteran character actor Walter Brennan appears in a dual role a lumber tycoon (who ends up in a lunatic asylum when he sets detectives on the trail of missing gnomes) and one of the latter, an elderly curmudgeon; Ed Wynn is the head of another of the species' communities; Sean McClory, then, is the villainous owner of a freak-show (who kidnaps a couple of the little people for his act).

In the long run, Disney fared much better with this particular kind of whimsy in DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE (1959) which, incidentally had the same directorand it's doubly disappointing given that Stevenson, Wynn, the two child actors (Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice) and the songwriters (the title tune by the Sherman brothers ain't no classic) had all previously worked on MARY POPPINS (1964)!

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10/10

the gnome-mobile

alyshah20005 December 2006

I have seen this movie when i was little and me and my sister loved it. the other day when i was at our local department store i found it and me and my sister has watched it ever since. we are so happy that it has come out on DVD where we can watch it over again and with the subtitles we click onto the icon and sing along to it. It is also a type of movie where it gets you going by sining along to all the songs and keep your imagination about gnomes alive whenever you watch it. the children in the movie are so talented when i watched them in marypoppins and now this it make see how talent they both are and waltz Disney must of seen how good they worked together and ask the to play the two children Rodney and Elizabeth. And hopefully when i get married and have children of my own they will remind me of those two children and i am sure i will happily to watch it with them.

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5/10

A Disney dud.

pmtelefon12 May 2019

I don't think I ever saw "The Gnome-Mobile" in the theater but I may have. I don't remember. I do remember having a 45 speed record and storybook from the movie. I used to listen to that record and look at the pictures in the book all the time. Watching the movie now is not as much fun. It's well acted ( in a 1960s Disney sort of way) but the story is very weak. The last fifteen minutes or so is kind of painful to watch. It's almost campy bad. The only thing "The Gnome-Mobile" has going for it is its special effects. But without a half way decent story, who cares?

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a funny hilarious movie

leftie6112 July 2001

when this movie came out in 1967 i was only six. but when it was shown over the years on the disney channel and i got to see the movie for the first time i cried with laughter. the late but not forgotten walter brennan was as funny as funny could be. he was the perfect choice to do both roles. i take my hat off to walt disney for putting this movie together. this is a movie the whole family can enjoy. thank you...

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8/10

Cute Disney Movie with a great cast and no violence to speak of

mike481283 February 2018

Children will love it better than adults, I am sure. Disney's "elves" are at work again and I can't help comparing it with "Darby O'Gill" which is a true classic. Two songs by the Sherman Bros. Walter Brennan as the lumber baron and the Grandfather Gnome, the two "Mary Poppins" children, Ed Wynn (who else) as the oldest gnome, and Richard Deacon. Several well-known character actors, including a few from "Green Acres". The children find two "lost gnomes" in the California Redwood forest and eventually go in search of and find more gnomes. Nobody does "EFX" like WDP and the gnomes are every bit as realistic as the Leprechauns in "Darby O'Gill" . A nod to "Sadie Hawkins Day" as several young maidens get to chase "Jasper" until he wants to get caught by "Violet". Mostly slapstick comedy as nobody gets hurt, even with dogs, breaking glass, and pratfalls. Even enough action to keep adults entertained. With a terrific automobile chase reminiscent of the old " W.C. Fields" movies. Co-staring a tricked-out 1930 Rolls Royce as "The Gnomemobile". Plot hole: I though the U.S. Forest Service-National Parks "owned" all the Sequoya trees?

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5/10

Short on entertainment

cricketbat3 January 2020

A favorite of my wife's from her childhood years. I saw it for the first time as an adult. It must be pretty fun for kids.

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8/10

This movie is Gnome Fun

fomlife7772 December 2008

The disappointing thing about the Gnome-Mobile is that it has up until the last 15 minutes of the movie, there are only two gnomes. And even they are not in it as much as you would like. Usually this would make the film suck like a lemon. But the wonderful cast make up for the disappointing lack of Gnomes. It is an environmentalist film, made before the extremists took over.

The lack of gnomes is atoned for in the end when the lone Gnome male bachelor is chased by several single and beautiful gnomes around the woods. They dip him in magic bubbles so he won't be so easy to catch. It's a fun romp around the woods. I will most likely never have a group of screaming girls running after me. Probably won't have any Gnomes chasing after me either.

There is also a great and wonderful car chase which in the end has the same result as a demolition derby. The movie is based on a 1936 book by Upton Sinclair entitled of all things, The Gnomobile. I may have to read it at some point.

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3/10

What Disney song writer came up with the stupid song?

Baldach8 October 2002

I can not believe that the great American Upton Sinclair wrote a children's book about gnomes. I further can not believe that Disney, the leader of children's entertainment, could have produced such a load saccahrain sweet moronic celluloid. Finally I get eerie shivers when I recall the Gnome Mobile song. All I can explain that the songwriters must had eaten too much mellow yellow (the movie was created in the late 1960's after all). As for the rest of the movie, just remember that Disney went periods of creative droughts, and this movie is proof.

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Unbalanced!

richard.fuller124 November 2004

I've always remembered Tom Lowell as Canoe, Hayley Mills beatnik boyfriend in That Darn Cat, since I saw that movie in the auditorium back in school in the seventies.

Later, I would learn he was the orderly that Cornelius killed in Escape from Planet of the Apes. I was puzzled as to how he became reduced to such a bit part, then seemed to vanish from sight. He never appeared on Love Boat or Fantasy Island, for crying out loud!

Lo and behold, I come across a movie called The Gnomemobile in the movie store. And it had Tom Lowell in it.

So I buy it. With Lowell as Jasper the gnome, the children from Mary Poppins (which, oddly enough was how they were credited) and Walter Brennan for some unexplained reason in a dual role, this movie could have been on the level of Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Willie Wonka.

So what went wrong? Over half the movie is spent on trying to get Grandpa out of the nuthouse.

With a cast involving Maudie PIckett, Ellen Corby, Frank Cady, Richard Deacon and Alby Moore, they all would have stood out well had the movie made them gnomes along with Ed Wynn.

So who was supposed to want to see this movie? If girls were supposed to think Lowell was cute, why does he sit out so much of the movie. He only gets one closeup toward the end as well.

So were small children supposed to like the Mary Poppins children?

Was Grandpa gnome or doodene supposed to be comically likable? Grandpa gnome maybe, but like Lowell, he sat out the majority of the movie.

Once the movie got back to the woods, those beautiful woods, and we see Jasper trying to find a bride, the movie gets cute again.

Even the talking animals, the birds, the owl and the raccoon, were all nice to see, but they aren't seen over five minutes at the beginning, then they are gone.

Effects-wise, especially in regards to the double filming, this was all done very well.

I must have caught some of this decades ago on the Wonderful World of Disney, as it all came back to me in strange shadowy flashbacks.

Still it could have worked, even with gnomes singing that silly song instead of grandpa doodene. Ellen Corby, Frank Cady and Alby Moore would have been hysterical singing that thing.

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