Genres

Visitors Review

2013-05-16 22:49:35

It's About Time!

I have loved this movie since I saw it on video as a little kid. I have been looking for a copy of it for years and I was ecstatic when I found out it was coming out on DVD! Everyone involved gave good performances in this movie, esp. Walter Brennan as the cantankerous grandfather. I am so glad that Disney decided to bring this movie out of the vault! It has been well worth the wait!

2013-05-16 07:50:00

The One and Only Original Family Band

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) All I can say it brought back my child days of playing the record to this movie. I had seen it at a theater and fell in love again with Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson. The music from many years ago I memorized and can still sing them. I was very satisfied and overjoyed that I could own a movie that was my favorite growing up. The Sherman Brothers wrote the music and i have learned more about them lately. Mary Poppins was there hit musical for Walt Disney. Mr. Disney was into making musicals so he made two more after Poppins, but they did not do as well. To me, they were better than Mary Poppins. So, I have the Happiest Millionaire too.Very happy.

2013-05-15 01:36:28

very pleased

Even though this used product was not in working order when we recieved it. The seller was quick to send a refund without a hassle. Would definately buy from this seller again

2013-05-14 04:00:55

Not as Good as "Happiest Millionaire"

Sadly, this movie wasn't as delightful for me as its predecessor, "The Happiest Millionaire" (which has the same two leads). Where Millionaire came together in a sparkling, fun, hummable package, "Family Band" has a hard time getting off the ground. It's music isn't as memorable as "Millionaire", and the characters aren't much developed, I found it hard to care about them. Also, "Family Band" has some serious, darker moments. For example, the overfocus of everyone on politics, and defending political opinions to the point of physical blows is not the stuff of happy fare, at least not for me. Toss in Grandpa's castigation by his son Carver, and Grandpa's immature response, as well as Alice's prejudicial treatment by the townspeople... and you get stuff that can be emotionally confusing for a musical. So, to sum up, for the best Disney has to offer in costumes, toe-tapping music, romance, good cheer and memorable characters, I'd stick with "Happiest Millionaire."

2013-05-11 13:10:47

Pure Disney

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) Typical Disney of the period, not great not horrible but it has its moments. The music is just ok and the story is pretty silly.

2013-05-11 03:17:36

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!

I am so glad Disney has wised up and finally re-released their two John Davidson-Lesley Ann Warren classics: "The Happiest Millionaire" and "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band"...GRAB YOUR COPIES OF BOTH MOVIES BEFORE THEY GO OUT OF PRINT AGAIN!!!!

2013-05-07 10:19:09

Thank you for having this Amazon...

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) My wife grew up watching this film on a worn out VHS and it brought back so many great memories for her. Best Buy couldn't order it for me but Amazon came through. Thank you Amazon!

2013-05-07 07:12:59

The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) A Walter Brennan era showing that is clean and humorous. Not for everyone but still a good one for those who like movies that don't have foul language and sexual leanings. I liked it.

2013-04-30 23:46:02

(Almost) "Ten Feet Off the Ground" in charming Disney tuner

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) Who invented music? Because, whoever they were, the Bower family wants to personally shake their hand. Despite being a staunch Republican, Calvin Bower (Buddy Ebsen) still sings the pro-Democratic anthem composed by his father (Walter Brennan), because, he reasons, why let politics get in the way of a good song?When Grandpa and the Bower Family Band are invited to the 1888 convention in order to perform their anthem for Grover Cleveland's re-election campaign, things take another turn altogether when oldest daughter Alice's (Lesley Ann Warren) pen-pal/fiancée Joe Carder (John Davidson), a dedicated Republican, makes a visit and sings the praises of the Dakota territory where he lives. The Bowers' relocation to Dakota soon causes immense family friction, with Grandpa's Democratic rants getting him into hot water with Dakota's mostly Republican population.There-in hangs the rather slender plot of this Disney musical, which was sadly one of the last live action projects to be green-lit by Walt Disney before his death. At the time of it's production, the Disney Studio was heavily into big, Roadshow-style musicals thanks to the successes of "Mary Poppins" and "The Happiest Millionaire". With another chirpy score by the Sherman Brothers and reuniting "Happiest Millionaire"'s young leads Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson, THE ONE AND ONLY GENUINE ORIGINAL FAMILY BAND sadly doesn't quite measure up to the overall quality or repeat value of "Poppins" or "Millionaire".The film's main failing, especially during it's international engagements was the plot. Unless you are American you probably won't fully appreciate or understand the plot which relies on an established knowledge of American politics. This is what sadly limits FAMILY BAND's entertainment value. The Sherman Brothers' score is quite underwhelming as well, with only two songs ("Ten Feet Off the Ground" and "'Bout Time") that are at all memorable. The rest is quite derivative, notably John Davidson's big number "Dakota" (in "The Happiest Millionaire" he sang a similar number called "Detroit"). Lesley Ann Warren also has a tentative ballad entitled "The Happiest Girl Alive", firmly entrenched in "Valentine Candy" mode from "Millionaire". Following a formula much?The casting is first-rate with old school song-and-dance man Buddy Ebsen ("Captain January") soft-shoeing away with vivacious musical theatre veteran Janet Blair as his wife. Walter Brennan is his warm-hearted, irascible best as Grandpa. Just as they did in "Happiest Millionaire", Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson blend well as Alice and Joe.Amongst the dancing extras you'll find a 23-year-old giggly blonde named Goldie Hawn. She has a large solo spot during the film's climactic number on Election Night in which she challenges Lesley Ann Warren to a dancing duel. Kurt Russell, 17 at the time, also appeared in this film as one of the Bower kids; but while they might have met and exchanged a few passing remarks, their relationship didn't start until many years later.The DVD of FAMILY BAND includes a rather nice 2004 featurette entitled "The Family Band Album", which has interviews with Lesley Ann Warren, John Davidson and composer Richard Sherman. All three also appear on an audio commentary track for the film itself (though each participant recorded their portion separately - a bit disappointing when more memories may have been jolted if Lesley Ann and John had recorded together). The film itself is presented in fullscreen and looks respectable, but clearly hasn't undergone a specific restoration. Presumably the original aspect would have been in the 1:75 range, and hard-matted to fit most theatre screens.

2013-04-30 10:53:18

Fun, Fun, Fun!

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren at their singing best! And Goldie Hawn too in her first movie! Wow!

2013-04-24 07:01:20

disney fun****

This was a family favorite when I was little. We looked high and low for it and couldn't find it. Now Disney needs to put the soundtracks!!!

dear1953 2013-04-23 12:39:41

great family movie, classic Disney fun

This has to be one of the best Disney movies ever. I haven't seen it inanumber of years but will be so happy when it comes out on DVD so I canhavea personal copy and can share it with my grandchildren. I rememberwatchingit after Goldie Hawn was a big name and I recognized her right away. Ofcourse, Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson are as good here as they werein"The Happiest Millionaire". I got my 6 year old grandson hooked on thatone. If you want the old Disney classics, this is a must for yourcollection.

2013-04-17 22:47:51

Cute and simple show

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) A good addition to a collection of simple Disney movies that are very mild by today's standards, even compared to more modern Disney shows like Cool Runnings.

2013-04-17 12:48:35

You Better Get Readdy To Hear You Better Get Readdy To Cheer

I have this VHS in the 1983 White Clamshell Release. And I was so happy when I found out that this was coming out on DVD. I Bought it off amazon.com along with 4 of the other July 6th Releases. This movie brings back such fond memories. I love the songs. Walter Brennan was so nice as Rencalid Bower. And Buddy Ebsen and Janet Blair shined as the parents. This is such a sweet kids movie. Full of great songs like 10 feet off the ground, lets put Grover Over Again, Bout Time, He Kept Drummin Drummin Drummin and many more. And who can forget Lesley Ann Warren as Laura Bower and John Davidson as Joe Carder. While the family is having a fun time. Laura and Joe are having romantic fun. I also loved the special features. The Family Band Album was very nice. Lesley,John, and Robert Sherman. Lesley talks about making the movie and how Kurt Russel hated the dancing. And John talks about everything in paticular and Robert Sherman talks about the music and how they made it without Walt. This is a great film that I highly suggest to all of you.Buy a DVD tonight and share it with your family.

2013-04-11 06:02:50

Forever Favorite!

I watched this movie as a kid, and always loved it. I finally received it last year for my birthday, and even my kids (9, 8, 6, and 4 years old) have fun watching it and will sing the songs. I had forgotten it was such a good picture of what the U.S. was like during that time; making new states, elections, political parties, one room schoolhouses, etc. This movie is a forever favorite of mine!

2013-04-10 20:43:32

The One and Only Original Family Band

Since I'm a big fans of musicals, this movie is still as much fun as when I was growing up. A good movie for just relaxing and passing an afternoon or evening

2013-04-09 21:27:24

Good Disney DVD

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) A coming of age film- for Women voters- North against South - aged against youth.All wrapped up in one rousing musical. What Walt Disney does best!!

2013-04-09 15:39:48

A must for every family!

I have waited years to get this on DVD. Very catchy - the whole family will love it!

2013-04-05 02:34:09

My Favorite Movie From My Childhood!!!

I enjoyed watching this movie over and over again as a child!!! The songs are great! The cast is great! The costumes are great! I have searched high and low for this movie for years and to my great surprise it is coming out on DVD! I plan on having my mother, my niece, my siter, and her dog over for a rousing rendition of "Dakota"!

2013-04-04 14:11:39

Classic Disney Musical

This review is from: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (DVD) I listened to this musical so many times growing up. Finding the DVD wassuch a surprise. The quality of the DVD and the audio is of excellent quality.