Amazon.com

When a slightly cross-eyed Siamese cat named D.C. (Darn Cat) turns upwith a wristwatch around hisneck instead of a collar, it could be just the clue the FBI needs tocrack a series of bank robberies in this lightweight comedy fromDisney.The watch belongs to a bank teller whohas been taken hostage.Dean Jones stars as the good-hearted FBI agentassigned to the case.Unfortunately, he is highly allergic to, you guessedit, cats.Hayley Mills is D.C.'s doting owner who hatches a hair-brainedscheme to follow D.C.'s every move until he returns to the crooks' hideoutwhere he got the wristwatch.After a lot of sneezing, slapstick, and comedic intrigue, the bank robbers are foiled, the hostage is safe, and everyone ishappy. An impressive supporting cast of Frank Gorshin, Elsa Lanchester,Roddy McDowall, and Ed Wynn add to the zaniness. Released in 1965 (and remade in 1997), it is understandably dated, but the performances are funnonetheless.Hayley Mills is delightful as the determined and unflappablewannabe sleuth, and Dean Jones proves he is adept at physical comedy. This is a movie of little consequence, just a clean, fun diversion that thewhole family can watch. The theme song is sung by Bobby Darin. --Peggy Maltby-Etra ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Mill's Best Film Ever!
While out prowling one night DC,a siamese cat whose name stands for 'darn cat,' happens upon two kidnappers & their hostage, a bank teller by the name of Maragret Miller. While the hostage is up cooking for the two DC comes in, taking off her wrist watch & scratching the 'help' on the back, slips it on the back, & puts the cat out, hoping that somebody will find it.

When DC returns home, his owner Patti (Hayley Mills) finds the watch on DC's neck & with her wild imagination comes up with a near correct theory. Her sister Ingrid (Dorthey Provine) disaproves with the whole thing & leaves for work the next morning with one note of instruction, Patti is not to notify the police about the watch.

Instead of telling the police Patti notifies the FBI, & agent Kelso (Dean Joanes) is assigned to the job of following the cat. The movie was followed 32 years later with a fairly good remake starring Christina Ricci & Doug E Doug.

"That Darn Cat" is a Disney gem!
Young teenager Patti Randall (Hayley Mills) discovers that the Randall cat, D.C. which stands for Darn Cat, comes home one night wearing a wrist-watch around his neck. Scratched behind the watch are the letters 'H', 'E', and part of an 'L'. Patti's imagination runs away with her and she figures out that the letters were supposed to spell out the word "HELP"! Patti thinks that the watch belongs to a kidnapped teller, Margaret Miller (Grayson Hall). And she is correct! Ms. Miller had been kidnapped by two bank robbers Dan (Neville Brand) and Sammy (Frank Gorshin) and fearing for her life, had put the wristwatch on D.C. Luckily, Patti, ignoring her sister Ingrid's (Dorothy Provine) commands on not to call the police, instead calls the FBI and gets help from Agent Zeke Kelso (Dean Jones). From there starts a zany adventure in which Zeke Kelso has to follow D.C. to the crooks while fighting off nosy neighbors, jealous boyfriends, and D.C.'s disappearing maneuvers.

Based on the book "Undercover Cat" written by the Gordons, "That Darn Cat" is a Disney gem! For those who have read the book must be warned though that this movie is very different from the book, yet still hilarious and exciting! One of the best things about this movie though is that superb cast of stars! Everyone is perfect for their parts, from Hayley Mills the full-of-life Randall girl, Ingrid the serious sister, Dean Jones the allergic FBI agent, Roddy McDowall the short-tempered neighbor, Elsa Lanchester the nosy neighbor, her husband played by William Demarest, Tom Lowell as Canoe the jealous boyfriend, Ed Wynn the very nervous watch jeweler, and Richard Eastham as the FBI Supervisor. And of course we can't forget D.C. who is actually a very good actor! The title song is fun to listen to, very jazzy and sung by Bobby Darin.

If you still haven't seen this movie, I really recommend that you do! For other great Disney Hayley Mill's movies, I suggest you watch "The Parent Trap", "Pollyana", "The Moon Spinners", and "Summer Magic".

Cats Rule & Dogs SUCK!
The best movie of all time! My favorite part is when the cat tricks that bulldog ((...) that dog was so stupid!). So the cat climbs up the tree and knocks the hummingbird feeder off and it falls in the corner of the yard. The bulldog wakes up and runs over to the spot and starts jumping up and down barking. That (...) dog did not even notice the cat slinking up and start eating his food. Then he finally notices the cat and chases him. The cat jumps on top of a loose board, causing the other end to come up. Just as the dog gets there the board hits him HARD on the face. And he's all whimpering 'n' stuff and the cat runs away! Then the dog sticks his sorry face up and he says, "That Darn Cat!" I could not stop laughing through the whole movie! THIS IS DEFINATLY A MOVIE FOR CAT LOVERS (NOT DOG LOVERS!). HOPE YOU THINK SO TOO!*

Classic Cat!
This movie is a crowd pleaser to this day! I show it as a special reward to my 2nd grade classes each year, and it is wonderful to see that a good, old-fashioned family film is enjoyable after 40+ years! They love the slapstick humor, and they like to complain about the nosy neighbor. Disney at its finest!

A Darn Good Movie
Get this movie if you have kids. They'll love it. You'll love it. Only positive messages here. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

ALOHA, HAWAII! Elvis loved it there.
If I had to summon up the content of this whole movie in one word, it would be: "exotic". Why I say that is because of the scenery, the palm trees, the Waikiki beach, the beach boys and girls, the Hawaiian music, the ukeleles, the luau, EVERYTHING! Elvis is a returning G.I. who does not want to go into his family's pineapple business. Instead, he works for a tourist guide service, and his first customers are a pack of gorgeous-looking girls and a beautiful chaperoning schoolteacher (Nancy Walters). Beautiful Hawaiian wedding scene at the end when Elvis marries Joan Blackman. Angela Lansbury is perfect for Elvis' mother in this picture. She enjoyed working with Elvis. "Blue Hawaii" is quintessential and Elvis' top picture and
his best '60s musical next to "Viva Las Vegas", and "G.I. Blues".

Tour Hawaii with Elvis!!!
Tour Hawaii with Elvis Presley!!! That's a pretty good description of this musical, the success of which marked the end of the singer's attempts at being a serious actor. For what it is--a travelogue with music and a slight plot--it isn't bad at all. But "King Creole," "Flaming Star," and even "Follow That Dream" demonstrated that Elvis could indeed act when given half the chance. That's all "Blue Hawaii" is, though: half a chance. The songs aren't exactly rock and roll, but most provide pleasant listening, and, of course, this is the movie that introduced the lovely "Can't Help Falling in Love," the song with which he would end all of his concerts in the 70s. Angela Lansbury is on hand as Elvis' mother, even though she was only a few years older than him (just as she was only a few years older than Laurence Harvey when she played his mother in "The Manchurian Candidate" the next year, a movie in which Elvis might just as well have been cast considering his apparent manipulation at the hands of Colonel Parker), and, of course, there are plenty of luscious babes about for those who don't consider Angela a turn on. "Blue Hawaii" is a real mixed bag. It is, perhaps, the very definition of "fluff," and as fluff it is attractive, but it would ultimately lead to dozens of execrable imitations that would make Presley's movie career one of the most lamentable in history. The writing was on the wall and, more importantly, in the grosses.

Can't Help Fallin' In Love With This Movie
Mr Presley certainly wasn't a great actor, but this movie shows him off to his best advantage. The music isn't the usual bad Elvis movie music and the scenery is to doe for. The storyline could come from any family - a son trying to be independent, a father who wants son to follow in his footsteps, a dropdead gorgeous girlfriend who just isn't what HIS folks had in mind, outrageous friends and an airhead, over-protective mama dead-set on embarrassing the son at any given chance. The plot is easy to follow and even makes sense. OK, not everyone breaks into song on a horseback ride, but what the Hell ! The wedding scene ( oops, gave it away ) makes up for any gaffes.

Blue Hawaii
I think this movie was above and beyond Elvis's usual movies. It has a cute plot and the scenery is unbelievable. If you are not a Elvis fan you will fall in love with the scenery.

Wonderful Postcard
I re-watched this just before going to Maui last November on my first trip to Hawaii. The story may not be much, but the scenery is "spot on" and this is a nostalgia trip for the "older Hawaii" of the 50's. What a great postcard, and Elvis thrown in, doing his 60's Elvis thing, with more style and good grace than later films would exhibit. He seemed to enjoy himself and you'll enjoy the music. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

i thought it was something else...
don't be tempted. hope was funny on his shows in a different format, where spontaneity was his forte. executing someone else's scripted directions and dialogue, he's average...wouldn't even make second string on the stooges.

pure junk.

Hope Hit
My favorite Bob Hope moment of all time comes from this film. Not his amazing facility with a gag or a prop but when he sings "Buttons and Bows" in an attempt to seduce Jane Russell. It's a great song and wonderfully done. Hope never got to work with the great directors for some reason so his work is often overlooked today, but shouldn't be. Otherwise he'd be recognized as the most influential American comic actor of the sound era.

Great Comedian at Top of His Form
Bob Hope's 1948 film "The Paleface," was the highest-grossing movie America's most-beloved comedian of the era ever made. Pairing Hope with Jane Russell in a run-of-the-mill Paramount comedy was box office magic that still works today. Here Bob Hope's timing is perfect, and he's totally mastered the character we associate with him, that cowardly braggart, who thinks of himself as a real Casanova. The film still holds up well, and I've found myself laughing out loud at many of the scenes. The DVD has an unbelievably good transfer that gives you a picture that's so crisp, it feels like you have a camera in your hands. Special features are nice, including the original theatrical trailer. There's also a clip of an Armed Forces Command Performance, and some footage of Bob Hope performing for the troops. With DVD-ROM, you can also compare the script to the scene as it plays out. In all, an enjoyable way to spend an evening with one of the great comedians of the mid-20th century.

Bob is hilarious!
This is one of the best Bob Hope movies, and his comedy timing here is excellent. He plays Painless Potter, a cowardly dentist, and the problems he encounters provides Hope ample opportunity to improvise sight gags and many other memorable jokes. Pay close attention when Bob attempts to extract a tooth... it's a classic scene! Hope is curiously underrated as a comic, but he was an absolute master at this genre, playing to perfection a sort of bumbling wannabe womanizing coward. Pay particular attention to his timing, which was absolutely unmatched in Hollywood.

The only drawback is Jane Russell, who was only in movies due to her cleavage. Her acting talent is minimal, but the brilliant Hope more than makes up for it. You will find yourself laughing out loud continuously throughout this movie. The color tones are bright, crisp and make it seem like you're sitting in the movie theatre in 1948. A classic comedy film.

Easy entertainment
In an era where there is little entertainment left for the whole family, The Paleface provides laughs for all ages. No embarrassing moments with the grandparents or inappropriate questions from the kids! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Joan Crawford portrays the most demure, well-spoken refugee from a busted-down carnival you've ever seen--but that doesn't mean she can't get tough when events warrant, and eventually, events do indeed warrant in this crisply shot 1949 black-and-white, post-Casablanca melodrama from director Michael Curtiz.

Crawford plays Lane Bellamy, who falls hard for Fielding Carlisle (Zachary Scott), who reciprocates but is being groomed for big things by wheezing political boss Titus (Sydney Greenstreet), who has no use for carny trash. Both Bellamy and Carlisle venture into loveless marriages, and Carlisle turns to drink, while Lane's subsequent husband (David Brian) is even higher on a greasy if not well-oiled political ladder ("I've got a soul that needs a lot of purging," he tells Lane). Interestingly, the film simply accepts politics as soulless and corrupt, as if there's any other kind.

Besides its still-fresh political cynicism, what keeps the film interesting is the showdowns between Crawford and Greenstreet, who both give performances representative of their distinguished careers. Crawford fairly hisses at the corpulent Greenstreet, "You just wouldn't believe how much trouble it is to get rid of a dead elephant." Greenstreet, clearly, forgets that this is Joan Crawford he's dealing with. --David Kronke ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Very good movie
"Flamingo Road" is a film that delves deep into the world of politics, on the other side of the politics is Lane Bellamy, played by Joan Crawford. She was working in a dancing act in a carnival that blows through town. When the carnival takes off, Lane stays in town hoping to lead a normal life.... Not if Sheriff Titus Semple, played brilliantly by Sydney Greenstreet, can help it. The sheriff doesn't take to kindly to Lane, and tries to run her out of town. To bad, Field, played by Zachary Scott, is in love with Lane and wants her around. Semple has other plans for Field, like marrying his daughter. Of course, he gets his way, but he also gets something else much later in the film.... This is a great film from the 1940's. I used to watch old movies all the time, and this movie has brought me back into the classic movie watching mode. The acting, the screenplay, the directing....they are all so wonderful. Greenstreet and Crawford are fun to watch on screen together. They had great chemistry together. This movie has a great ending.....WATCH IT!!!!

Sydney Steals It!
Most reviews of "Flamingo Road" center on the leading lady, Joan Crawford. Joan is cast as the good girl we should all root for. She does indeed play that role, but there is more to "Flamingo Road" than that: FR opens as a fly by night circus leaves town-one step ahead of the law. Joan is left behind and decides to stay in town. She quickly makes some wrong choices in men. They (Zachary Scott and David Brian) are both decent enough guys but her love interests place her on the wrong side of the local sheriff- an evil, smarmy. corpulent overbearing, elephantine Sydney Greenstreet. The pair are like oil and water as Greenstreet tries to run Joan out of town and she fights to stay. The opinion here is that Greenstreet steals the movie. It is true that his character is overdrawn and his acting overbearing. He virtually tears up certain scenes, but at times he makes the movie sizzle. Director Michael Curtiz had worked with SG before in films as "Casablanca" and "Passage to Marseille". Did Curtiz give SG free rein here or was he unable to control him? FR is highly recommended. Viewers will enjoy watching the central conflict play out. (This reviewer tries not to divulge endings). FR is yet another example of why old classics should not be colorized. The b&w filming is perfect background as the plot unfolds.

"The moody kind always cause trouble."
Carnival dancer, Lane Bellamy (Joan Crawford) finds herself stranded in a small town when she meets local deputy sheriff, Fielding Carlisle (Zachary Scott). He helps her find a job and a place to live, and they strike up a relationship. Carlisle, however, is the protege of the infinitely unpleasant Sheriff Titus Semple (Sydney Greenstreet). Semple has plans--big plans--for Carlisle's future, and Lane isn't in the picture. Semple wants Carlisle to run for state senator, and in order to do that, he thinks Carlisle needs the proper society wife. He even has local spoilt girl, Annabelle (Virginia Huston) in mind for the job. Semple senses that Lane could spoil all his plans, so he has Lane framed on a trumped-up charge.

Of course, Joan Crawford fans know that she isn't going to take a jail sentence meekly. She's made of stronger stuff than that. Joan comes back and shows the whole town a thing or two, and Crawford fans should love every minute. "Flamingo Road" is the road in town where all the rich people live in their mansions, but the road's name also takes on a figurative meaning symbolizing acceptance, security and success. Lane wants to live on Flamingo Road, but in reality, she wants the things that address symbolizes to her. She's tired of being a nobody--an unemployed carnival dancer who gets kicked around and thrown in jail.

The first half of the film concentrates on developing the characters and the plot, but all of the main characters have hidden depths, which are revealed as the drama unfolds. It's difficult to imagine a more sinister bulk of flesh than Sydney Greenstreet in his role as Sheriff Semple. He doesn't actually have to lift a hand to strike his enemies (in fact, he spends most of his time sitting in front of a local hotel ordering around the employees). He sits like some sort of evil toad regarding everyone else coming and going while he pulls the strings of city corruption. It's not that easy to find a copy of this tape, but if you are a Crawford fan, I think you'll find it worth the trouble--displacedhuman

Joan's Best
Joan Crawford is famous for over-the-top, scenery-chewing performances in acclaimed melodramas like 'Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?', and 'Queen Bee'. However bad her supporting cast (in particular, Queen Bee) one can always count on Ms. Crawford to turn in a convincing, if formulaic, performance. She was a character actor of the first magnitude, and while her on-screen personae rarely varied in tone, the performances in and of themselves are always good, if not excellent.

Far less well-known are Joan's performances in movies that required serious acting capability - the most famous of these is her portrayal of Mildred Pierce, in the movie of the same name. In 'Flamingo Road', Joan turns out another one of her understated and more subdued performances as Lane Bellamy, the down-on-her-luck sideshow girl who attracts the wrong sort of attention from the town's scheming sheriff Titus Semple.

The plot is straightforward - Lane is involved with the unambitious deputy Fielding Carlisle, whom Sherriff Semple has in mind as some sort of Puppet-Governor. She's clearly the wrong sort of girl for an aspiring political figure, and Semple frames her for prostitution, fuelling Lane's desire for revenge. She marries Dan Reynolds, another of Semple's big-business partners, thereby unleashing the fury of Sherrif Semple, with devastating results.

The simplistic plot allows Joan and her magnificent supporting cast to showcase their versatility as actors. Giving particularly strong performances are Zachary Scott as the weak-willed and tormented Fielding Carlisle, and Gladys George as the indomitable Luta-Mae Sanders, a friendly local brothel-keeper who gives Lane a job and a second chance. In his role as the thoroughly despicable Sheriff Semple, Sidney Greenstreet shines, giving a performance to match Joan's own, and creating a villain truly worthy of his comeuppance.

Filmed three years after Mildred Pierce, 'Flamingo Road' re-teams Crawford, Scott and director Michael Curtiz, who, as in Mildred Pierce, relies on understated drama and beautiful camera work to illustrate the innocence and pain that Joan's character endures. Curtiz does an excellent job in this regard, and there are some highly memorable set-pieces in this movie - namely, Lane and Fielding's first encounter, Sheriff Greenstreet's politely violent exchanges with Lane, and the finale - which, thanks to Curtiz's superior talents, hang together beautifully.

This is possibly the most underrated of all Joan's movies, and one with thoroughly deserves a conversion to DVD. In it, Crawford proves she is more than capable of being a flexible actress, and her performance is just one of several excellent performances waiting to be enjoyed in 'Flamingo Road'. Very highly recommended.

great film which has all the elements that make it a classic
The film is great for so many reasons: the political message it gives is still as relavent today as it was in the 1930s and has the suspence rises in all the right places to make it a gripping film. Joan Crawford performs magnificantly in her role pulling off hardness of character with elements of tenderness and concern. Supporting actors are good but Crawford gets the crown for not only her acting, but her wonderfully sexy smoking technique.
A great film, really enjoyable to watch ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Neil Simon's terribly funny play about roommates Oscar the slob and Felix the neurotic was first committed to film in this 1968 production, directed by Gene Saks (Barefoot in the Park). Perfectly timed, ingeniously rendered, not a hair out of place in the history-making performances of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon (or the great support cast), The Odd Couple is a movie that one just has to see every two or three years to stay happy. The poker-game sequence in which Oscar's cronies seem to be falling under the sway of fussy Felix's talent for making sandwiches is priceless. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The Original And Still The Best, With An Exception or Two
The story is a classic. Poor neat Felix is going through a divorce, and old, sloppy friend Oscar takes him in. Both go through mid-life crises, and we get to meet some great character actors along the way.. besides Matthau and Lemmon, of course! John Fielder is magnificent. We all know the film by its countless viewings on TV ... and of course the TV series. It's FINALLY nice, through the magic of wide-screen, to see the ENTIRE poker game. To see the ENTIRE messy apartment ... and those classic New York street scenes. What's not so nice are the color and sound. Neither has held up that well, though Paramount must have made their best efforts to put together something out of bad '60's negatives and/or prints. The color is so muted, and so is a lot of the sound for whatever reason. Still, the DVD version is much better than the pan-and-scan VHS version currently offered. Can't do too much about that '60's color.

Odd Men Out Are Still In Style
Perhaps prolific playwright Neil Simon's best known work, the 1968 film adaptation of The Odd Couple, helped to give birth to one of cinema's best comedy teams. It is clear from the begining that Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon were a match made in heaven.

Recently divorced fussbudget and neatfreak Felix Unger (Lemmon) is down on his luck. With nowhere else to turn, he finds himself, reluctantly, on the doorstep of pal Oscar Madison (Matthau), who is himself divorced. Oscar is a total slob and proud of it. The film is all about how these total opposites, can live with each other, without losing their sanity.

While I never saw the play, (save for a High School produced short version) the filmmakers didn't mess with the formula. Adapting stage plays on film, can at times, seem quite limiting . Not here though. Director Gene Saks has great sense of what works. The chemistry between Lemmon and Matthau is undeniable. The performances are pitch perfect--even from the supporting players. Simon's story and script is timeless and holds up very well...The movie may have been made over 30 years ago and yet...I always liked watching the TV series, still, nothing beats the film version.

It's great to finally be able to see the movie in the widescreen format, though, a cleaner print is called for. The only bonus material on the DVD is the film's theatrical trailer. Both of these great actors are sadly no longer with us, but thankfully their work will live on, in the films they left behind. Recommended with a **** and 1 quarter rating.

A Perfect Comedy Team in the Perfect Comedy
Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy? This movie proves that the answer is no. Oscar is a sloppy New York sports writer. Felix is a fussy neat freak who writes the news for television. Both are divorced and share an apartment together. Felix complains about a pickle on the floor, and Oscar complains about Felix washing Oscar's poker cards. Yes, they get on each other's nerves endlessly, that is, until Oscar throws Felix out. This movie is one of my all-time favorites, and unlike other movies I've seen, it doesn't get stale with repeated viewings. All in all, a classic comedy by Neil Simon.

Enjoyable comedy
This is a very funny movie with two excellent comic performances from Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Lemmon makes Felix a sympathetic and three-dimensional character, melancholy and depressive as well as fussy and compulsively neat. What's frustrating for me is that I love Lemmon's Felix, while for Oscar I prefer Jack Klugman, who played the role in the TV show THE ODD COUPLE. My ideal pairing would be Lemmon and Klugman, with the rest of the supporting cast (including the wonderful John Fiedler). Oh, well...

For me, the best part of this movie is the SUPERB theme music by Neal Hefti, which I think should have won an award. In the theme we hear a musical "portrait" of Oscar and Felix, before we even hear either of them speak. Enjoy it!

THE ODD COUPLE: The Movie
Neil Simon's THE ODD COUPLE has been a hit in three different incarnations. First, in 1965, there was the Broadway production starring Art Carney and Walter Matthau as Felix Unger and Oscar Madison. The play was filmed in 1968 with Matthau and Jack Lemmon, then turned into the TV series featuring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman. Though the movie opens up the one-set original to include scenes in restaurants, streets, a motel, a ballpark, and a bowling alley, the sequences set in Oscar's Riverside Drive apartment form the heart of the play; director Gene Saks keeps these intact for the movie. Matthau's deadpan Oscar is the perfect foil for Lemmon's melancholy yet funny Felix. The scenes involving the two are alternately riotous - as when Oscar becomes fed up with Felix's constant fussing - and touching - as when Felix cries in front of the Pigeon sisters, his and Oscar's dinner dates. John Fiedler shines as one of Oscar's four poker-playing buddies. THE ODD COUPLE, in whatever version, is ultimately a comedy about friendship enduring despite differences, and this theme is communicated superbly by the team of Lemmon, Matthau, and Saks. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This savvy Disney hit from 1969 made a star of a Volkswagen precisely when the car was becoming more popular than ever. Dean Jones and Michele Lee head the cast in a story about a VW bug with a mind of its own. Disney point man Robert Stevenson, director of The Absent-Minded Professor, Mary Poppins, and lots of other Disney live-action hits, makes the slapstick work perfectly and keeps the laughs coming. Buddy Hackett is very funny in a supporting role. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A real family classic!
Jim Douglas (played by Dean Jones) is a broken-down, has been racecar driver. But, when he finds himself saddled with an innocuous little Volkswagen Beetle, he suddenly finds that he can get a lot more out of it than anyone thought possible. Jim's kooky friend Tennessee Steinmetz (Buddy Hackett) keeps trying to tell him that this car is special, it has a heart and feelings, but Jim knows that a car is a car, is a car, right? And now that he is winning races, his chief competitor, Richard Thorndyke (David Tomlinson), is out to get that inexplicable little car! [Color, released in 1968, with a running time of 1:47.]

This is a fantastic movie, and a real family classic! I loved this movie as a kid, and couldn't wait to introduce my children to it. As expected, they loved it, especially the scenes where Herbie seemed to swallow Thorndyke and when he "oiled" on his leg! The DVD set is excellent, containing a nice Disney cartoon short, and lots of other neat extras. My family and I all love this DVD set, and highly recommend it to you!

I Love This 2 Disc Special Edition DVD SET of The Love Bug.
When this DVD was put out I bought a copy of it and I have watched it a dozen times Already. I really loved the specail features that they had on this DVD.

Here Is A Brief Description:

Jim Douglas (Dean Jones), is a down on luck race car Driver who finds Herbie at Thorndike Motors Owned By Peter Thorndike ( David Tomlinson). Well when Jim Finds the car. Herbie falls for him like a ton of bricks. The next day Jim finds Herbie Parked in front of the Firehouse that he and Tennesse Stienmetz (Buddy Hackett) live in. Well Jim buys the car from Mr. Thorndike and gains back his pride as he wins race after race. And falls in love with the Beautiful Carol (Michelle Lee).

Great Movie 5 Star Rating.

Disney almost got this DVD right
For the most part, this is one of Disney's few successes when it comes to releasing a movie on DVD. However, even with this DVD, there are some issues. The scene in Chinatown is strangely out of focus, while the rest of the movie appears just fine. Did the engineer fall asleep while he was doing the transfer, or just what happened?

In spite of that, I will say that this is one Disney DVD you are PROBABLY safe in buying. Maybe it came out before they started cutting corners so severely.

Cute but should not be rated G
I recently rented this movie for my three year old son who loves cars. I did see this movie when I was going up (though I did not remember the exact details) but now that I have seen it as a parent, I have some concerns about it.

Though the moive is rated G, it has a few things about it that I don't find appropriate for young children.

The dialogue is riddled with words like "stupid" and "idiot,"-- words I prefer to keep out of my son's vocabulary, at least for now.

I also find the character, Mr. Thorndike, to have an anger management problem. In the majority of his scenes, he is yelling at the top of his lungs and calling his sidekick, Havershaw, a series of derogatory names-- definitely not a characteristic I want my son to emulate. Finally, while I appreciate the whole appeal of a car having human qualities, I find the scene where Herbie tries to commit suicide a bit much for a kid's movie. Having to explain what the car was doing was difficult.

Overall, though the movie has cute qualities, I wish that the attributes I mentioned were not included. Call me a protective parent but seems to me that today's kids are considered rude because they are exposed to media like this that are considered acceptable.

Sorry to the die-hard Herbie fans, but this movie is not all its cracked up to be.

my favorite disney movie
there is no disney movie that could top this one. the race scenes with cute music playing went excellent with this movie. the cross country race at the end of the movie was one of the best slapstick race scenes i ever saw. this is like smokey and the bandit type movie. A LOT OF FUN TO WATCH. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

First they blew into town... then they BLEW IT UP!
I bought this movie out of a sense of nostalgia, being a child of the seventies. Watching this movie now, it didn't quite hold up as well as I remembered, but it is somewhat entertaining, and I would feel comfortable showing it to my nieces and nephews, given its' lack of anything that could be considered even remotely offensive.

The plot has Donovan (Bill Bixby), a bachelor and small time hustler of sorts, getting stuck with the care of three orphan children. As he tries to unburden himself of his three wards, he finds the townspeople to be less than receptive to the idea of taking in the children. These orphans hold the deed to a goldmine, thought by everyone to be dried up, but an earthquake turns up a huge gold nugget, and now the townspeople are falling over themselves to take custody. Donovan, actually concerned with the welfare of the children, works up a plan to marry Dusty (Susan Clark), and pass the children on to her care, as she seems truly interested in the welfare of the children, and not their money.

Don Knotts and Tim Conway play a pair of bungling thieves who scheme, among other things, to try and steal the huge gold nugget. The whole ladder theft from the firehouse scene was pretty funny.

Some other easily recognizable stars in this movie are Harry Morgan and Slim Pickens.

As I said before, while the movie didn't seem as humorous to me now as it did when I was a child, it was certainly entertaining. It's a fine wide screen presentation, but what I really enjoyed was the special features. The interactive menus are excellent and grant access to quite a lot of interesting information like lengthy biographies, interviews, history of the back lots at Disney studios, promotional stills and advertising material for the movie, a synopsis of what was going on at Walt Disney in 1975 (the year this movie was released), and so much more.

Apple Dumpling Gang Is Finnaly On A Specail Edition DVD
I just got my copy of this DVD and I Love it. Another Great Movie for you to see is the sequel to this timeless classic Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. Which is also available on DVD from Amazon.com.

Here is a brief Description:

3 kids are sent to a backwoods town and are supposed to belong to a backwoods drunk. Well the backwoods drunk has other plans so he gives them to a town newcomer Donnavan. Well than the kids find gold, and that is when they meet the 2 hilarious crooks Tim Conway, and Don Knotts. Well after they find the gold everybody wants the kids . And it attracts attention to a group of crooks. Well as the movie goes on you find out that Tim Conway, and Don Knotts used to work for the Head of the gang of crooks until Tim Conway acidentally show the guys leg in a hold up. well it ends the Donavan and his friend Dusty get married and they move to St. Louis where he starts a Gambling Joint. But in the sequel you don't here anything about it, and in the sequel they said that Donavan and Dusty and the kids moved onto a farm. Did I miss something somewhere ?

Great Movie. 5 Star Rating.

One of Disney's best
One of the best live-action Disney movies. A sweet story about misplaced children, an unwilling but good-intentioned gambler as a foster parent and two bumbling crooks as the comic foil. Bill Bixby, of "My Favorite Martian" and "The Hulk" fame, plays Russell Donovan, the roaming gambler who is unwittingly stuck with some "valuables." Tim Conway and Don Knotts, a little past their prime, play the hapless crooks known as the "Hash Knife Outfit." Susan Clark plays the tomboy stage coach driver who fills in as the kids mother. Beautiful scenery, lots of action, comedy, and a fabulous saloon brawl that is the highlight of the film.

They call them the Apple Dumpling Gang
Once again Disney released a classic in it's fading days of "G" rated gems. The loose knit comedy team of Don Knotts and Tim Conway is always a hit in any situation. This is one is a bit plot heavy for them and Disney but it still makes you laugh. Bill Bixby is their straight man who carries most of the plot. At first they try to rob him but by the end they help him, his kids and his girlfriend defeat the bad guys and save the town. This is a very good movie and the sequel is even funnier.

Excellent Widescreen DVD release of a Disney favorite!
An excellent DVD release -- in WIDESCREEN -- that does justice to a Disney favorite from the 1970s. The print and sound are excellent -- the extras lots of fun. Note to Disney Home Video: PLEASE release all films in their original theatrical ratios. We were very disappointed with The Snowball Express, Balckbeard's Ghost, Babes in Toyland, and The Moon-Spinners. Disney fans take note: Escape to Witch Mountain is another outstanding "Special Edition" release that is highly recommended. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This 1942 satirical comedy stars Ginger Rogers as the title character, who agrees to be accused of murder so the publicity will advance her dancing career.Whether she actually committed the crime is irrelevant to the reporters, who fall all over themselves to give Roxie her 15 minutes of fame (well, this compact movie is actually 75 minutes long). Adolphe Menjou costars as the blustery defense lawyer who sees no possibility of losing, and George Chandler plays the meek husband left in Roxie's dust.Among the highlights are the judge, lawyers, and client primping for every photo opportunity, and Rogers's nostalgic tap dance on a metal prison staircase.Roxie Hart was based on the play Chicago, which later became the basis for the Bob Fosse musical with Gwen Verdon (and then Ann Reinking in the 1997 revival) in the Rogers role. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Different but lots of fun
I watched this out of curiousity after becoming a fan of Chicago the movie. It's fun to compare and contrast the modern version against this Ginger Rogers vehicle. Check out familiar characters (such as the prison matron "Mrs." Morton and Mary Sunshine) new characters (the reporter who has a crucial role in the end) and even missing characters (no Velma Kelley.)

This 1942 film has the title character as a woman on trial for shooting a man who is strongly implied to be her lover. Unlike the Roxie Hart in Chicago, this Roxie is innocent and only on trial for publicity to bolster her show business career. Rogers is a lot of fun and chews the scenery as the gum snapping Roxie. In retrospect, it seems a natural that this story became a musical. Aside from a brief tap dance sequence, it's too bad Rogers couldn't show off her musical talents here.

Make note to watch for the totally different but funny ending.

ROGERS ROCKS CHICAGO!!
I got this movie for Christmas yesterday and I love it! I have seen the movie "Chicago" many times and have seen the Broadway musical many times on a tape I have. This is probably the most likeable of all of them because it's clean. They had to follow the Hays Code with motion pictures back then, so that certainly added to its cleanliness. The movie is a version of "Chicago" that all members of the family can enjoy, unlike the current movie and stage show which are only appropriate for ages 13 and up. Ginger Rogers seems perfect for Roxie because she gives off believable innocence, unlike Reinking or Zellwegar who not only killed their lovers, but also were too fake for the role. Reinking talked too fast and Zellwegar was just not the right choice. Rogers is a great Roxie, because she is just like the one in the original play, even though the musical's version is based on Rogers's incarnation. This is my favorite type of movie anyway because I'm a fan of old black&white movies.

I DID IT HER WAY!!!
... and BOY she sure dun 'em wrong!
A BRILLIANT gem of a black comedy from the past - superbly restored to DVD - Great in Black & White - with the "Chicago" tune most of us grew up with has the backdrop....

Well, we've seen Mr. Fosse's "Chicago" [brilliant homage to this one] ~ but Ginger's version naturally focuses more on the wronged babe! Great Costumes and Art direction - even a dance number or two - "The Black Bottom" sequence - everyone's doing it! and Gingers homage to the 'other' tapmasters' as she pounds out a little number on the prison stairs.

HUNKY George Montgomery is the perfect 'big lug' of a reporter smitten by Miss Rogers "She Couldn't possibly have done this!"
A touch a Gable there!

Even Velma cameos briefly at the beginning in prison - literally cat-fighting with Roxie. They're basicallty all here - and if you wish another slant on the tangled tale - view this one - you won't be disappointed.

[Especially when the Judge tries to hone in on the background action - mugging for the camera in court - SO indelible in recent times considering it all .... after all it's all "Razzle Dazzle"].

A 'don't miss' experience.

KISS! KISS! BANG! BANG! ROXIE HART IS ON HER WAY TO DVD!
Never has a girl with so little done so much. When a 1920s has-been showgirl's husband shoots a burglar in her apartment, "Roxie Hart" (Ginger Rogers) decides to take the wrap. Why? Good business...and because outside of 15 minutes in the pen she becomes the biggest little murderess in old Chicago. Based on a true story, but this time played strictly for laughs, the bawdy, gaudy and luscious Roxy kicks up her high-stepping heels into one of the most publicized trials of the last century. There's much to admire in the story and Rogers is outstanding as the vixen turned hot property. Adolph Menjou costars as Roxy's ubiquitous attorney.
TRANSFER: Kiss! Kiss! Bang! Bang! This one's a winner. Despite a few scenes that lay claim to considerable film grain and minor mis-registration (resulting in some minor pesky halos) this DVD is minted from a remarkably clean camera negative. The gray scale is wonderfully realized, with rich, deep, solid blacks. Occasionally the contrast level appears a tad on the low side but only occasionally. For the most part what you get is a genuinely impressive looking transfer. The audio has been rechanneled to stereo with predictable dated characteristics.
EXTRAS: A couple of trailers that illustrate just how awful this DVD might have looked if the good people at Fox hadn't worked some digital magic on this restored print.
BOTTOM LINE: Get ready to shoot it out with "Roxie Hart" on DVD!

A riot of a film
I have never seen chicago, but I cannot imagine that it can be any more fun than this film. Ginger Rogers plays Roxie Hart with great gusto shwing she was a star long before Fred came on the scene. The court climax is just unreal with total chaos unfurling throughout the film.

Also good to see some excellent dancing from Rogers as she really hams it up in this tremendous film. Pure enjoyment. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

BARBARA BUMPS AND GRINDS.....
This must be the film where Barbara Stanwyck proved she could (and would) do almost anything. Based on Gypsy Rose Lee's book "The G-String Murders", strippers in an old Opera house turned burlesque theater are being strangled with their G-strings. And our heroine Dixie Daisy (Stanwyck), the headliner, smells a rat. Fending off advances from a third-rate comic, she sets out to find the killer. Much cattiness and attitude from the other strippers pepper this delightful black comedy as Dixie tries to keep the show going while putting together clues and trying to save her own neck. Lee relied on her own personal experiences as a burlesque queen to give this story the realistic touches it has. And when Stanwyck hits the stage in a VERY scanty outfit (that must have given the censors fits) she's right at home singing a little bump & grind ditty called "Take It Off The E-String, Play It On The G-String". She's surprisingly sexy and has the necessary old-style panache that makes her performance a delight. The DVD from Image is immaculate and this is a must have for Stanwyck fans. Supporting cast is excellent and the characterizations are right on the money. A fun, fun movie worth watching over and over. My favorite line (and there are many): Man to Dixie,"Did I startle you?"....Dixie to Man: "Are you kidding? I've been startled by EXPERTS." Don't miss this one. It's just pure pleasure all the way.

DIXIE DAISY WILL DRIVE YOU CRAZY
An unusual though entertaining Stanwyck vehicle based on Gypsy Rose Lee's novel entitled THE G-STRING MURDERS. Stanwyck is enjoying her first taste of success on the burlesque stage where murders eventually upset the merry atmosphere! Apparently, Stanwyck didn't forget her early Broadway hoofing as she excels in her role. She's great as Daisy (the Gypsy counterpart) in the movie and adds vitality and mirth to a very jazzy part. The cast of chorus cuties couldn't have been bettered: gum-chewing Iris Adrian; squeakie-voiced Marian Martin; gravel-voiced Gloria Dickson; imperious Victoria Faust; statuesque Stephanie Bachelor; sarcastic Claire Carlton; cutesy Janis Carter and all the rest. The only time the production slows down is during the murder investigations..... Michael O'Shea, a basically Broadway actor had great chemistry with Stanwyck and their scenes together fairly sizzle. Stanwyck surprised many with her rendition of TAKE IT OFF THE E-STRING, PLAY IT ON THE G STRING, complete with appropriate bumps and grinds! Arthur Lange was nominated for an AA for his scoring.

Lady of Burlesque
Previously only available thru Alpha (super low price and super low quality) this little gem should keep you interested long enough to finish a box of popcorn. Maltin gives this 1943 flik 3 stars. Stanwyck is young and fun. Pinky Lee has a supporting role. Don't let the title fool you or keep you away from this fun little mystery. I'm sure the Roan Group release will run circles around the budget disc.

Stanwyck Never Gives a Bad Performance!
Although even "budget" videos are no longer cheap, "Lady of Burlesque," to my mind, is a must for any movie-lover's library and certainly for mystery or Barbara Stanwyck fans. The DVD quality is reasonably clear, aside from that tinny sound quality at times that makes dialogue difficult to hear -- certainly not a major impediment, however, only a problem on occasion, but the film itself is an absolute delight. First of all, in spite of censorship that presumably sanitized the "stripping" sequences so that they are perhaps not quite an authentic reflection of what really took place-- it still presents a wonderful window into a vanished world -- the world of burlesque and vaudeville -- which was once a huge part of American entertainment. Certainly vaudeville and variety ruled at the turn of and early part of the 20th Century and in various forms, continued through variety shows into the 60's and 70's. So the wonderful peek into this world -- the glamorous theater (betcha this fabulous theater is no longer standing), the backstage antics and squabbles, the typical corny comedy bits and the costumes is nothing less than fascinating.

Additionally, there is an absolutely wonderful cast, headed by the incomparable Barbara Stanwyck. I'd agree that Barbara Stanwyck never gave a bad performance, even if she appeared in a bad film, and she's certainly in rare form here. She's delicious -- a sassy showgirl with rapidfire retorts and an attitude, pure old Brooklyn reminiscent of Glenda Farrell. Love that little snarl she gives every once in a while. Stanwyck was truly one of the greats and excelled at everything -- be it drama, soap suds, comedy, etc. Equally wonderful is the supporting cast including Marion Martin and Iris Adrian as Stanwyck's saucy fellow showgirls. All have great "stripper" names and the kind of showbizzy personalities that you can only find nowadays in theater productions -- tough-talkin', gum-chewin', wide-eyed, sugar-and-vinegar, been-around-the-block-twice showgirls.

I would disagree with those who say the mystery takes a back seat. Not only does this film entertain and amuse with the onstage and backstage interactions, but the mystery is equally fun. I certainly didn't guess whodunnit. The mystery begins when one of the strippers is found strangled -- with Babs Stanwyck's g-string! There is a lot of nice intrigue developed, along with the humor, with different characters being given enough shadiness to qualify as suspects and enough interpersonal dramas going on to keep you guessing and keep things mysterious.

Also fascinating are the great song-and-dance sequences. I really do feel they captured the oldstyle flavor of real vaudeville/variety shows and given that this story is based on a book by famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee (The G-String Murders), I have no reason to doubt that aspects of it genuinely represent the types of people in and feeling of old burlesque.

In any case, it was an absolutely delicious surprise and a true keeper, in my book. I will watch it again and again. Reminds me of "The Women" crossed with "42nd Street" with an old-fashioned whodunnit thrown in. Great entertainment with a master at the helm (Stanwyck) and a terrific ensemble.

Good movie, bad disc
This is a review more of the DVD itself than the movie (which is fast-paced and enjoyable). I had trouble getting the disc to play on two different machines. When I finally did get it going, there's not much there besides the movie itself. No production notes, no subtitles, and the 90 minute film is divided up in only four chapters. I know I shouldn't expect much for such a low-priced DVD, but hassle-free playing would have been nice. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

"It's just like a movie!"
The Marx Brothers' GO WEST (1940) shares its title with a Buster Keaton film from 1925. And both films start with a caption card containing Horace Greeley's famous quotation: "Go west, young man, go west." This wouldn't be the only moment in the film when I was reminded of Buster Keaton. The goofy train sequence at the movie's conclusion seems to be at least inspired by some of The Great Stone Face's exploits. Of course, one major positive in Keaton's favor was that his movie didn't have any singing in it. But the most important similarity between the two films is that I liked them both.

GO WEST is a definite improvement on their previous two films, the average AT THE CIRCUS and the unfortunate ROOM SERVICE. The writing (in particular the one-liners) seems much sharper and wittier. The sequence of Chico and Harpo fleecing Groucho at the train station seems reminiscent of the more famous "Tootsie Frootsie ice cream" scene in A DAY AT THE RACES, but manages to draw laughs without simply recycling the same gags. Somewhat surprisingly (given that this is set in the Wild West), there isn't too much parodying of Western standard set pieces (apart from one or two gags). This is a Marx Brothers film that just happens to be set in the Wild West, rather than one specifically making fun of Westerns.

As for the plot that all these jokes are existing in... Well, I don't think of myself as particularly slow, but this is the first time I've ever had trouble following the storyline of a Marx Brothers film. The overall story is fairly simple (a railroad company wants to buy a piece of real estate for a stupid amount of money), yet the particulars eluded me. I just couldn't keep track of the specifics of the bad guys' plan.

Now, the reason I had trouble keeping track of the plot is actually a good one for a Marx Brothers film. There isn't enough time devoted to the storyline for it to actually make much sense. This, of course, isn't a bad thing, because the worst part of the Brothers' films (apart from many of the musical interludes that didn't feature Groucho, Harpo or Chico) was the endless romantic subplots. Fortunately, there's a relatively small amount of screen time that goes into non-Marx scenes, which is bad for figuring out what's going on, but great for anyone who is looking for entertainment and jokes (which, really, should be everyone).

I found GO WEST to be a very pleasant and welcome surprise. The reputation of their later MGM pictures is shaky to say the least, but this is a lot of fun. The gags are clever and funny, while the songs from the fake-Zeppo and the female romantic lead aren't intrusive (indeed Groucho's backing vocals on one of them is surprisingly good). This is definitely a highlight from the Marx Brothers' later movie career.

Back on their right truck.
After a declining and dissapointing change of At the Circus, their first work at MGM, the Marx Brothers seem to get back on the right truck in Go West in many ways. On the top sequence, Chico and Harpo trap Groucho at the train station: the two get the ticket to ride (as a result of Chico's skillful yell, "Nine dollars change, please!") and go to the west, while Groucho goes broke. Compared to At the Circus, laughing spots are more successfully and equally placed over the whole plot.

Also, in spite of the setting of the story, in the late 19th century, the Brothers highlight themselves with individual musical performances: Chico with his unique "shooting keys" of piano at the bar, Harpo with incredibly perfect harp playing at the native American's village (*Harpo actually transforms a mysterious outdoor object with strings into a harp!), and Groucho with backing vocals in two songs (*not his complete solo performance, but still good enough). Your 80 minutes will fly much faster than you expect if you watch this Go West!

Underrated Marx Brothers
"Go West" is a guilty pleasure of mine. Being a big fan of The Marx Brothers, I am always ashamed whilst talking to fellow film buffs when I say that one of my favorite Marx Brothers films is 1940's Go West. And while it's not Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, or A Night at the Opera, it is still a highly enjoyable film, partly due to my love for western films. Some good gags in this one, including the hilarious pick-pocketing scene in the begining and the wild chase on the top of a train at the climax. Overall, if you are a fan of classic comedies or the Marx Brothers, you won't want to miss this. It's not perfect, but it's a lot of fun.

Funny but not classic
If you expect to see the reason why the Marx brothers are considered one of the greatest comedy acts of all time this is not the movie for you.

If you want to see a funny movie with great sight gags, a bunch of fine one liners and some great physical humor then you will enjoy this picture.

Sometimes the problem with making so many great movies over so many years is that you always expect perfection. Oscar is a funnier movie than this, but this is a funny movie. You will laugh and smile and that's the reason to watch a comedy isn't it?

a disappoinment
I write this review with a sense of guilt. The Marx Brothers have, over the years, provided the world with some of the best cinematic comedy moments ever. To me there is no question that they are the greatest comic group of all time. I read much about their career and I noticed that their later movies were made, according to Groucho, to help pay off Chico's gambling debts. I had, on tape, a couple of their older movies that I was saving for a rainy day. Well, when it rains it pours and my day was ruined watching the brothers stumble and fall trying to save this hopeless picture. The comedy routines are drawn out too long and the timing seems to be off. However, the main problem is that the writing is bad. There is only so much that even the best can do with jokes that aren't funny. There is a routine with some Indians that bombed particularly bad. The story line itself (never a major part of any Marx Brothers movie) makes no sense. The movie ends in a race between a train and the bad guys in a carriage. I could never tell why there was a race on in the first place. I was in the right frame of mind to laugh but I never got anything to laugh at. If you must watch one of their final movies, save your money and get "At the Circus". ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Mill's Best Film Ever!
While out prowling one night DC,a siamese cat whose name stands for 'darn cat,' happens upon two kidnappers & their hostage, a bank teller by the name of Maragret Miller. While the hostage is up cooking for the two DC comes in, taking off her wrist watch & scratching the 'help' on the back, slips it on the back, & puts the cat out, hoping that somebody will find it.

When DC returns home, his owner Patti (Hayley Mills) finds the watch on DC's neck & with her wild imagination comes up with a near correct theory. Her sister Ingrid (Dorthey Provine) disaproves with the whole thing & leaves for work the next morning with one note of instruction, Patti is not to notify the police about the watch.

Instead of telling the police Patti notifies the FBI, & agent Kelso (Dean Joanes) is assigned to the job of following the cat. The movie was followed 32 years later with a fairly good remake starring Christina Ricci & Doug E Doug.

"That Darn Cat" is a Disney gem!
Young teenager Patti Randall (Hayley Mills) discovers that the Randall cat, D.C. which stands for Darn Cat, comes home one night wearing a wrist-watch around his neck. Scratched behind the watch are the letters 'H', 'E', and part of an 'L'. Patti's imagination runs away with her and she figures out that the letters were supposed to spell out the word "HELP"! Patti thinks that the watch belongs to a kidnapped teller, Margaret Miller (Grayson Hall). And she is correct! Ms. Miller had been kidnapped by two bank robbers Dan (Neville Brand) and Sammy (Frank Gorshin) and fearing for her life, had put the wristwatch on D.C. Luckily, Patti, ignoring her sister Ingrid's (Dorothy Provine) commands on not to call the police, instead calls the FBI and gets help from Agent Zeke Kelso (Dean Jones). From there starts a zany adventure in which Zeke Kelso has to follow D.C. to the crooks while fighting off nosy neighbors, jealous boyfriends, and D.C.'s disappearing maneuvers.

Based on the book "Undercover Cat" written by the Gordons, "That Darn Cat" is a Disney gem! For those who have read the book must be warned though that this movie is very different from the book, yet still hilarious and exciting! One of the best things about this movie though is that superb cast of stars! Everyone is perfect for their parts, from Hayley Mills the full-of-life Randall girl, Ingrid the serious sister, Dean Jones the allergic FBI agent, Roddy McDowall the short-tempered neighbor, Elsa Lanchester the nosy neighbor, her husband played by William Demarest, Tom Lowell as Canoe the jealous boyfriend, Ed Wynn the very nervous watch jeweler, and Richard Eastham as the FBI Supervisor. And of course we can't forget D.C. who is actually a very good actor! The title song is fun to listen to, very jazzy and sung by Bobby Darin.

If you still haven't seen this movie, I really recommend that you do! For other great Disney Hayley Mill's movies, I suggest you watch "The Parent Trap", "Pollyana", "The Moon Spinners", and "Summer Magic".

Cats Rule & Dogs SUCK!
The best movie of all time! My favorite part is when the cat tricks that bulldog ((...) that dog was so stupid!). So the cat climbs up the tree and knocks the hummingbird feeder off and it falls in the corner of the yard. The bulldog wakes up and runs over to the spot and starts jumping up and down barking. That (...) dog did not even notice the cat slinking up and start eating his food. Then he finally notices the cat and chases him. The cat jumps on top of a loose board, causing the other end to come up. Just as the dog gets there the board hits him HARD on the face. And he's all whimpering 'n' stuff and the cat runs away! Then the dog sticks his sorry face up and he says, "That Darn Cat!" I could not stop laughing through the whole movie! THIS IS DEFINATLY A MOVIE FOR CAT LOVERS (NOT DOG LOVERS!). HOPE YOU THINK SO TOO!*

Classic Cat!
This movie is a crowd pleaser to this day! I show it as a special reward to my 2nd grade classes each year, and it is wonderful to see that a good, old-fashioned family film is enjoyable after 40+ years! They love the slapstick humor, and they like to complain about the nosy neighbor. Disney at its finest!

A Darn Good Movie
Get this movie if you have kids. They'll love it. You'll love it. Only positive messages here. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bill Bixby plays a 19th-century gambler who inherits responsibility for three orphans, but the kids in turn have something of value: a huge gold nugget. This Disney film from 1975 is an enjoyable potboiler with its sentimentality under control and the accent on laughs, most of which are provided, not unexpectedly, by Tim Conway and Don Knotts as thieves who want to get their hands on the treasure. An easy, safe film for children. You can't go wrong with this.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (15)

First they blew into town... then they BLEW IT UP!
I bought this movie out of a sense of nostalgia, being a child of the seventies. Watching this movie now, it didn't quite hold up as well as I remembered, but it is somewhat entertaining, and I would feel comfortable showing it to my nieces and nephews, given its' lack of anything that could be considered even remotely offensive.

The plot has Donovan (Bill Bixby), a bachelor and small time hustler of sorts, getting stuck with the care of three orphan children. As he tries to unburden himself of his three wards, he finds the townspeople to be less than receptive to the idea of taking in the children. These orphans hold the deed to a goldmine, thought by everyone to be dried up, but an earthquake turns up a huge gold nugget, and now the townspeople are falling over themselves to take custody. Donovan, actually concerned with the welfare of the children, works up a plan to marry Dusty (Susan Clark), and pass the children on to her care, as she seems truly interested in the welfare of the children, and not their money.

Don Knotts and Tim Conway play a pair of bungling thieves who scheme, among other things, to try and steal the huge gold nugget. The whole ladder theft from the firehouse scene was pretty funny.

Some other easily recognizable stars in this movie are Harry Morgan and Slim Pickens.

As I said before, while the movie didn't seem as humorous to me now as it did when I was a child, it was certainly entertaining. It's a fine wide screen presentation, but what I really enjoyed was the special features. The interactive menus are excellent and grant access to quite a lot of interesting information like lengthy biographies, interviews, history of the back lots at Disney studios, promotional stills and advertising material for the movie, a synopsis of what was going on at Walt Disney in 1975 (the year this movie was released), and so much more.

Apple Dumpling Gang Is Finnaly On A Specail Edition DVD
I just got my copy of this DVD and I Love it. Another Great Movie for you to see is the sequel to this timeless classic Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. Which is also available on DVD from Amazon.com.

Here is a brief Description:

3 kids are sent to a backwoods town and are supposed to belong to a backwoods drunk. Well the backwoods drunk has other plans so he gives them to a town newcomer Donnavan. Well than the kids find gold, and that is when they meet the 2 hilarious crooks Tim Conway, and Don Knotts. Well after they find the gold everybody wants the kids . And it attracts attention to a group of crooks. Well as the movie goes on you find out that Tim Conway, and Don Knotts used to work for the Head of the gang of crooks until Tim Conway acidentally show the guys leg in a hold up. well it ends the Donavan and his friend Dusty get married and they move to St. Louis where he starts a Gambling Joint. But in the sequel you don't here anything about it, and in the sequel they said that Donavan and Dusty and the kids moved onto a farm. Did I miss something somewhere ?

Great Movie. 5 Star Rating.

One of Disney's best
One of the best live-action Disney movies. A sweet story about misplaced children, an unwilling but good-intentioned gambler as a foster parent and two bumbling crooks as the comic foil. Bill Bixby, of "My Favorite Martian" and "The Hulk" fame, plays Russell Donovan, the roaming gambler who is unwittingly stuck with some "valuables." Tim Conway and Don Knotts, a little past their prime, play the hapless crooks known as the "Hash Knife Outfit." Susan Clark plays the tomboy stage coach driver who fills in as the kids mother. Beautiful scenery, lots of action, comedy, and a fabulous saloon brawl that is the highlight of the film.

They call them the Apple Dumpling Gang
Once again Disney released a classic in it's fading days of "G" rated gems. The loose knit comedy team of Don Knotts and Tim Conway is always a hit in any situation. This is one is a bit plot heavy for them and Disney but it still makes you laugh. Bill Bixby is their straight man who carries most of the plot. At first they try to rob him but by the end they help him, his kids and his girlfriend defeat the bad guys and save the town. This is a very good movie and the sequel is even funnier.

Excellent Widescreen DVD release of a Disney favorite!
An excellent DVD release -- in WIDESCREEN -- that does justice to a Disney favorite from the 1970s. The print and sound are excellent -- the extras lots of fun. Note to Disney Home Video: PLEASE release all films in their original theatrical ratios. We were very disappointed with The Snowball Express, Balckbeard's Ghost, Babes in Toyland, and The Moon-Spinners. Disney fans take note: Escape to Witch Mountain is another outstanding "Special Edition" release that is highly recommended. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This fourth Love Bug movie is a wooden story about Herbie's funny adventures heading toward a race in Brazil. Charles Martin Smith and Steven W. Burns try hard to bring some life into this project, but it just doesn't happen. There is one good laugh in the whole thing, in a scene where Herbie becomes a matador. Otherwise, even the picturesque, south-of-the-border stuff doesn't help. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Take my advice...PLEASE! (See for all Herbie sequel DVDs)
Disney is NOT adding any features whatsoever for the Herbie, the Love Bug sequels. The only thing that could possibly be of any good quality within these discs would be a remastering of the picture and sound. Unless you've given up using your VCR or you are a collector, don't waste your time purchasing the Herbie sequels. Only the original movie, The Love Bug is worthy of it's "Special Edition" title.

The car....he ate my chicken!!!
Some of the other reviewers said this movies was bad. I'll just say it could have been better. Yes, I am one of those "diehard fans", but this movie really was funny.
The worst thing about the movie was definatly that kid. He was so freakin' annoying I wanted to slap him. As hard as possible. Also, the character of Pete Standcheck seemed a bit bland (he was easy on the eyes though :)). But there were so many eccentric personalities in the film that more than compensate for the one weak character.
Overall, it was a highly original and amusing film. Aunt Louise and that whacky captain provided many hilarious moments. The film ends without letting us see the race. If they'd only lost that stupid kid and let us see the race this film would have been much better.

Herbie is Awesome
Yes I Truely love all these Films. I thought this was a pretty neat and funny film and I thought the kid was cute. Even though he was a thief he was still good at heart. Yes he was annoying at least at first but Herbie believe in him and he turned out to help Herbie save the day.

The kid keeps picking peoples pocket's in the start if the film and ends up getting some film from these crooks. Also Hides in Heribe who helps him out from the crooks. He hides out in Herbie in the Boat and is found the the Car is taken away from Jim Dougles Nephew.

He pretends to like this girl's Daughter so the mother will sponer money for the race. Herbie gets thrown over in the Sea but later comes back the to Boy. The Crooks are waiting for the Boy when the Ships comes. It has a Bull fight seen and lot's of the same people that someone keep running into eachother and it's pretty funny.

I think this was a great film, the only things was I wish they would have shown the Race at the end I thought it would have been perfect with that. But the ending was cool and I like the song about the kid being a friend with Herbie it was pretty neat :)

The End Of The Road
The fourth and final instalment of Walt Disneys Herbie and easily the worst and most forgetable. Though there are some beautiful shots of South America along the way this merley proceeds to make up for the holes in the plot. Whilst Herbie Goes Bananas certainly has a few bright spots, the film as a whole is a rather nondescript affair which sees Herbie the Volkswagen Beatle car, with a mind of its own, rubbing bumpers with a gang of smugglers on their way to Brazil. The stars in the film include Cloris Leachman as Aunt Louise, Charles Martin Smith as Dave Smith, John Vernon as Prindle and Stephan W Burns as Pete Stanchek. Strictly for die-hard fans of the series.

Disney's fall from grace
Poor Herbie. The lovable little car with a mind and heart of his own deserves so much better than this. How could Disney pictures even greenlight such a production? Herbie went from "The Love Bug", one of the highest-grossing films of all-time (for that time), and the OUTSTANDING "Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo", to be thrown into this piece of trash. What bothers me the most about this film, besides an insanely annoying little kid who Herbie had no right in helping in the first place because the kid was a lousy thief, is that throughout almost all of the movie, Herbie is unrecognizable because of an unfortunate (and unnecessary) "plot twist" in the movie. "Herbie Goes Bananas", my friends, was apparently the beginning of a new Era of live-action Disney cinema -- the era of bad Disney live-action cinema which still continues on today, minus a few shining films such as "The Rocketeer" and "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids". One can only hope that when Disney Pictures finally wakes up and hires some talented writers, Herbie will return in a truly magical film once again. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Fun from start to finish
Freaky Friday is a hilarious film. It is filled with funny, quotable dialogue. The script is great, and what makes it all come together are the performances by it's stars. Jodie Foster is very good and entertaining as Annabel. Barbara Harris as Mrs. Andrews is so wonderful she steals the show. Her transformation into her teenage daughter trying to be a wife and mother is a blast. Barbara Harris has a wacky, rebelliousness that comes though in her performance. It's perfect. Her scenes with Boris (Annabel's teenage crush who lives across the street) and her son Ben, are especially funny.

The young Sparky Marcus as little Ben Andrews is adorable. His scene of confiding in his "mother" about his true feelings for sister Annabel is very touching. Marc McClure as Boris Harris (who makes a cameo appearance in 2003's Freaky Friday as Boris making a delivery) is great in his role as the allergy-prone object of Annabel's affections. Another standout character is Mrs. Schmauss the cleaning lady. Her interactions with "Mrs. Andrews" are side splitting.

The title song, "I'd Like To Be You For A Day", is really beautiful and compliments the sentiment in the film. Freaky Friday is a feel good film with a message that is obvious, but also has a subtle message throughout that reminds us not to take life too seriously. It seems to say "Enjoy the people you love, appreciate their individuality and struggles, and most of all, allow yourself to have fun on this crazy journey."

Original 1977 FREAKY FRIDAY Is The Best!
For a guy who likes Ingmar Bergman and other indy, artsy films, I guess it seems weird that I bought the DVD of the original FREAKY FRIDAY the minute it hit amazon. But, this film was made in the good old days of Disney, before they lost focus of their business and started behaving like most other monster corporations. This story has had at least 3 lives: the 2003 version (enjoyable), the 90's TV version (I never saw that one), and the one at hand. The original 1977 release gives us the unique pleasure of seeing two wonderful performers, Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster, going through their paces in this mother-daughter-switch tale. Barbara Harris is one of the great performers who never quite made the level of fame she deserved. Whether in her Broadway turns in ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER and THE APPLE TREE, to several good films, she had an amazing ability to be vulnerable in one moment and seamlessly turn into a glamourous, gutsy bombshell in the next. And her voice! This film and, perhaps, Hitchcock's FAMILY PLOT are nice