The One And Only, Genuine Original Family Band (1968)

Set against the backdrop of the 1888 presidential election, a family finds itself divided by politics as the grandfather (Walter Brennan) is a Democrat for Grover Cleveland and his son (Buddy Ebsen) is a Republican for Benjamin Harrison. Based on the biographical book THE FAMILY BAND: FROM THE MISSOURI TO THE BLACK HILLS by Laura Bower Van Nuys and directed by Michael O'Herlihy (FIGHTING PRINCE OF DONEGAL). After the success of MARY POPPINS, Walt Disney attempted to follow that with more family oriented musicals but neither THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE (1967) or this one found favor with either critics or the public. Personally, I found FAMILY BAND rather pleasant with some good songs by Richard M. And Robert B. Sherman (CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG) and energetic choreography by Hugh Lambert especially in the West Of The Wide Missouri production number. Its thin storyline can hardly be called scintillating but it's good enough to hang a handful of musical numbers on it. With Lesley Ann Warren, Janet Blair, John Davidson, Kurt Russell, Wally Cox, Pamelyn Ferdin and in her film debut, Goldie Hawn.