The Apple Dumpling Gang 1975 Buena Vista Home Entertainment   Buy It Now

It’s funny sometimes how a simple thing like the name of a movie can bring back many memories, even though you may have been but a young child at the time. I just barely recall seeing a little film called The Apple Dumpling Gang back in 1975. While the overall plot of the film remained fuzzy, the fact is that I do in fact remember very well seeing the movie. That along with other Disney live-action efforts such as Pete’s Dragon, The Cat from Outer Space, and Escape from Witch Mountain have always remained very true and dear to me, so the fact that Disney made the decision to release the Gang on DVD is, to quite a few of us I’m sure, I very magical event indeed.

Placed in the gold rush era of California circa the late 1878, Russell Donovan, a bachelor and occasional swindler, manages to get himself in quite a predicament. He promises an acquaintance that he will pick up and look over some valuables coming in the next day on the stage coach, but little does he know that the precious content is really three children that have only recently lost their family. Donovan tries to get out of the deal, but the sheriff, who happened to be present when the deal was struck, has no plans on letting him back out of the arrangement.

The three children prove to be quite a handful, especially with Donovan very set in his care and trouble free lifestyle. The youngsters are also quite convinced that a mine in the area that allegedly belonged to their father has gold, a statement that Donovan claims repeatedly to be false, but when the children strike it rich, the town goes into an uproar and everyone wants to become the children’s new family, and for obvious reasons of wealth. But, it’s more than just the town folk that are interested in getting rich as a pair of bumbling bandits does whatever they can to get their hands on the gold as well.

Back when I originally saw the film, I don’t think I had too much of an idea as to the true talent that was in this film. Most children under the age of 10 really don’t have too much of an idea as to the true roots or talents of those involved in the film industry aside from perhaps recalling seeing someone in another movie or television series. The Apple Dumpling Gang however has a great deal of talent present, making it a fantastic film just based on the presence of many great names, and that alone is more than reason to watch it.

The decision by Disney to pair up comedians Don Knotts, taking on the role of Theodore Ogalvie, and Tim Conway as Amos Tucker is pure genius and might be one of the best comedic matches in film history. As the blundering pair of would be criminals, their unique approaches to comedy are absolutely brilliant and work together almost brilliantly. Knotts of course is known for many a role, the most famous of course being Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show but his work with Disney would help keep him in the public eye, and not just for this film but others such as Hot Lead and Cold Feet, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, and even more recent appearance, such as the upcoming and very anticipated Haunted Mansion. It’s Knotts facial expressions and delivery that can make all the difference in the world. Tim Conway however is no slouch either, and even to now continues bringing his own style of humor to long time fans as well as those new to his work. Often called “the best second banana in the business,” Conway plays it as just that, and with Knotts’ style it works all too well. While it may lack some of the more abrasiveness of today’s humor, it’s very easy to see what can be done without relying on profanity or crudeness.

However, it isn’t just the two legendary comics that make the film a wonder to watch. The late Bill Bixby assumes the role of Russell Donavan. This was of course prior to the days he would spend on the now classic television series, The Incredible Hulk, but this film shows exactly how talented Bixby was in life, and how he could make just about any character believable. In many ways, shades of his Courtship of Eddie’s Father character can be seen here, but Mr. Donavan is a character onto himself, and this film really does show what a talented individual the industry lost. And while Bixby is the star, yet another familiar face is present, that of Harry Morgan taking on the role of Sheriff Homer McCoy. Morgan is very recognizable in just about anything that he’s in, and no doubt that even watching the show with young ones, they will undoubtedly recognize him whether it’s from having caught a glimpse of old M*A*S*H reruns or one of his numerous other film and television appearances. The fact is that Morgan is always great no matter what he’s in, and his mere presence can add quite a bit to any film.

There is some irony in the film however, not in the cast, but what was simply allowed back in the mid 70’s and not considered to be a bad example for children. Today, parent groups all across the country throw fits and organize protests over things that in all reality are simple and minor things. One has to wonder, if The Apple Dumpling Gang were to be made today, would Amos and Theodore drink beer at a local saloon in something that’s considered a children’s film? Would Amos be allowed to roll a cigarette, or would Donavan still have his cigars? For that matter, would Amos and Theodore still be called the Hash Knife Outfit, or would they now be something that wouldn’t have quite a drug usage connotation? It’s surprising to see and hear what was allowed back then knowing full well what would more than likely fall either under a censors knife or not even make it past the first draft of the script today. This shows just how well the parental control efforts have taken control of the media as a whole, and most would do well to remember that many of us that watched this film back when it originally came out were just kids ourselves, and no harm has come to us as we’ve grown. I never tasted a beer simply because the Hash Knife Outfit did, nor did I try and smoke because Donavan did.

While the film itself is great to watch, the extras are almost better. The feature itself has audio commentary by Tim Conway, Don Knotts, Susan Clark and Brad Savage, an event that reunites them after almost 30 years. The single best part however may very well be Lost Treasures: The Disney Back Lot. While short, it shows the lengths that Disney went to in order to make believable sets instead of spending a fortune on location shoots. It’s an art that is dead for the most part today with filmmaking, but the overall effects can clearly be seen. What is seen in The Apple Dumpling Gang can be seen in other Disney features as well if you just simply look, and the overall changes that they undergo is amazing. In many ways, it’s sad that this sort of craftsmanship has long been forgotten, especially when computer animation can be used, more expensively I might add, in order to achieve the same effect. Also of interest is to here some of the minor mistakes that were made that were left in, adding a great deal of character to the film itself. The extras provide a great sense of what Disney could do back then with just a simple idea and a backstage set, and the look back a Disney in 1975 shows that the company really had a grand sense of creativity that in all honesty, has been lost. Thought the film is still based on a book, it’s prominently displayed in the opening credits, and I really doubt that the director and producers would claim that they’d never heard of it if ever questioned on similarities. I’m sure many people know what I’m talking about, and simply viewing The Lion King and then the anime film Jungle Emperor Leo, a film that the producers of The Lion King claim to never have heard of or seen, is proof enough.

The Apple Dumpling Gang may not have the same kick in the gut that newer film might have, but it shows that simple and innocent filmmaking is possible, and with fabulous results. This is a piece of cinema as well as Disney history, and not just due to how it was made, but also the incredible cast that’s assembled here. Parents that aren’t too overprotective of their children and don’t worry about minor things like drinking and smoking will definitely have a film that children, as well as the rest of the family can enjoy, and it’s definitely a DVD that can be watched over and over again.

-mike-