There’s magic in the memories as great Disney moments are captured right here for you and your family to enjoy in THE ONE AND ONLY, GENUINE, ORIGINAL FAMILY BAND — a large slice of Americana set to music and dance. This is the captivating saga of a musical family that homesteads in the Dakota Territory of the 1880s and becomes embroiled in the presidential battle between Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison. A robust, song-filled movie for those who enjoy a good love story, admire a family that sticks together through thick and thin, or respond to rousing, Broadway-style music … composed by the Academy Award(R) winning Sherman Brothers (1964 Best Score, Best Original Song, MARY POPPINS).”All I know is, the Democrats elected a president, and the Republicans cheated ‘em out of it!” No, this is not a Michael Moore documentary, but a 1968 Disney musical. The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band is probably the best musical comedy set against the 1888 presidential campaign between Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison. The family band, a bit like American prairie Von Trapps, settles in the Dakota territory. Problem is, Grandpappy Walter Brennan is a diehard Democrat, and Dakota is rife with Republicans, including the suitor (John Davidson at his dimpledest) to his granddaughter (Lesley Ann Warren). The score by the Sherman brothers is not their best, and the “family fare” approach almost killed Disney films during this era. Nice to see old hoofer Buddy Ebsen get to dance a bit, and trivia buffs should note that Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn are first linked here–he’s one of the kids, she’s a featured dancer. –Robert Horton
Rating: 
(out of 40 reviews)
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October 6, 2010
#1
Review by Byron Kolln
Rating:
THE ONE AND ONLY GENUINE ORIGINAL FAMILY BAND is a charming musical from Disney, with Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson (the romantic leads from Disney’s previous musical hit THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE) once again centre stage.
However, when compared to HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE, this movie falls decidedly flat. The storyline isn’t engaging and the score (while quite pretty) doesn’t have the same theatricality or flavour as MILLIONAIRE.
Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson once again offer charming performances as the lead romantic couple and get a lovely song to share (“‘Bout Time”). Lesley Ann Warren also glows in her solo number “The Happiest Girl Alive”. The cast also includes old musical pro’s Buddy Ebsen and Janet Blair, with Walter Brennan as the irascible old grandfather.
The DVD is presented in fullscreen (as opposed to HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE which got the grand widescreen treatment from both Disney and Anchor Bay). There’s an informative featurette with new interviews from Lesley Ann Warren, John Davidson and composer/lyricist Richard Sherman.
Theres also a scene-specific audio commentary featuring Warren, Davidson and Sherman (all recorded separately). One of the tidbits unearthed from the commentary is Warren recalling how she and John Davidson were starring on Broadway in 1965 at the same time (she in 110 IN THE SHADE, he in HELLO DOLLY), and actually dated a few times, all before being paired in these two Disney musicals!
Still, a fine companion piece to THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE and a wonderful slice of Disney moviemaking at it’s peak.
October 6, 2010
#2
Review by David Kenner
Rating:
I didn’t expect to like this film. The title was too corny for one thing. Also, I’d seen Disney’s trailers for the film and noticed how they always focused on a scene featuring Goldie Hawn even though she’s only in the movie for a few minutes toward the end. If they have to try to sell it with shots of Goldie Hawn, how good can it be?
But I finally got the chance to see it in its entirety and found out that it’s a pretty darn good film. I’ve heard the Sherman Brothers songs for this movie dismissed as “forgettable” by notable critics but, while this film isn’t loaded with Academy Award winning songs, there are still some good tunes sprinkled throughout, most notably a duet between John Davidson and Lesley Ann Warren entitled “Bout Time”. The film has a lot of good choreography too and the dance sequences are thouroughly engaging without being over the top.
Walter Brennan and Buddy Ebsen are perfect for their roles here and both do a fantastic job. (Although I’m not sure that Brennan was really old enough to be Ebsen’s father.)
The film is in full screen but in the documentary that’s included here as a bonus feature, there’s a mention of this being a made for TV film. The bonus features are nice and a commentary track with Davidson, Warren and one of the Sherman brothers is included too.
October 6, 2010
#3
Review by Amber Dyar
Rating:
This is my favorite movie in the entire world!!! My mom rented it when I was a little girl, and I just adored it. However, as I grew older I was devastated when I was no longer able to find it out on video. I have been surfing the web for months trying to find a copy, but to no avail. You can imagine how ecstatic I was when I found out it was coming out on DVD!! I truly believe this is the best movie ever made. I mean, think about it, it’s got your history, politics, family life, and what better love story than Leslie Ann Warren and John Davidson? Not to mentiont he completely adorable Kurt Russell, the energetic dancer and singer Buddy Ebsen, and of course the lovable grandfather Walter Brennan! I absolutely love this movie! Thank you Disney for finally releasing it! You have made my year!
October 6, 2010
#4
Review by Disney Movie Fan
Rating:
A disappointing release from Disney Home Video of a charming film with great stars and wonderful Sherman Brothers’ music. The extras are nice: a short “making of” documentary and optional audio commentary. Why the one star? A poor pan-and-scan release with below par video quality are truly unacceptable in today’s DVD market. It would be better for the Disney Company to slow down its release sechedule and take the time to create quality releases of these older title that appeal to “grown up” Disney fans and film students.
October 6, 2010
#5
Review by K. Gaskins
Rating:
For some reason, most people don’t know too much or have never heard about this Disney movie. And I don’t quite understand why, since it rates in some of my TOP Disney movies. First off, it carries a cast of today’s well known actors in some of their earliest roles ever. Kurt Russell as a kid (singing, dancing and playing a musical instrument at that!). Goldie “Jeanne” Hawn as a bit part. Not to mention Leslie Ann Warren, before she started playing loopy characters. Buddy Ebsen, John Davidson (very pre-Hollywood Squares). Walter Brennan. The story is about a musically talented family in which Grandpa organizes the family band to play at the democratic convention. But his grandaughter Alice’s love interest, Joe Carder, a Republican, convinces the family of which most are Republican to head out to the Dakotas (at that point still just one state). The movie revolves gently around the politics of the Grover Cleveland re-election campaign against Benjamin Harrison with a focus on the comedy, the love quarrels and a ton of kids having fun. The climactic end takes place at the Republican primary if I remember correctly, where jsut about everything goes haywaire and unexpected. (Even as it did at the real election at that time.) It’s nice getting the history lesson in without even realizing it! The songs are upbeat and memorable, aside from one lousy Leslie Ann Warren song early on, and are still fun to sing and dance along with many years later. My VHS of this movie has just about gone caput, so I’m very pleased that the DVD version is coming out.