Das große Ferienabenteuer

It undoubtedly runs for too long, but 'No Deposit, No Return' still satisfied me.

It has a similar vibe to it as 'Candleshoe', which Disney released roughly twelve months after this. The plots are different, but there are a few things that I found alike; the obvious being David Niven, who appears as the older gentleman in both, as well as his character's living room; that latter claim is based on my memory only, mind.

Niven is good in this, though he's doesn't really do that much - at least compared to his co-stars. The two kid actors are solid, Kim Richards the standout; almost a year after Disney viewers saw her in 'Escape to Witch Mountain'. Darren McGavin and Don Knotts are a fun duo, while Herschel Bernardi - who reminded me a lot of Nick Sandow in terms of looks - does well too.

The plot is ridiculous, but I actually found enough entertainment in it - mostly thanks to the aforementioned cast. The humour, while nothing LOL-worthy, is satisfactory. My only true negative is the pacing of the run time. It's fine, but this story would've been perfect for 90mins; rather than 112mins - those extra minutes are very noticeable and, ultimately, add little.

When all is said and done, though, I had a suitable time with this.

If Disney had their way in this world, It would be the world as it portrayed in this film:

*Mom works for a magazine. I think she's divorced, though the word divorce isn't mentioned.

*She has two kids, Jay & Tracy.

*Now, Mom is detained in Hong Kong during their Easter vacation.(Any one ever heard of Easter vacation, or did I miss something when I was growing up in the seventies?)

*The kids have a skunk as a pet!!(It's unthinkable that a child of any age would want a skunk as a pet) I forgot-this is not the real world! This is after all the world according to Disney.

*Jay utters the words "If mom can't bring her vacation to us, we'll take ours to her" But Tracy is realistic. She says "Where do we get the $1200 to pay for the two airline tickets?" Yea right! In the real world, this is unthinkable! But don't forget-this is not the real world.

*Two men try to rob a safe at an airport, they get away of course-not successful in their attempt to get the money. The two kids get in the same cab as the two robbers at the same time! They go to their hide out. They own a garage, and they are building high rises on both sides of it. Is this for real? It must be according to Disney!

*The Grandfather sees the two kids go inside the hideout with the robbers, but he doesn't call the police Instead he want to teach the children how to be better citizens. Do grandfathers let their grandchildren go inside a hideout with a couple of robbers? They do at least According to Disney!

*Try this: Two gangsters are after Duke & Bert, because they owe them $7000.00. $9000.00? $11.000? $13.000? They failed at their airport robbery, now they have 72 hours to get the money. What to do? Tracy has an idea: Stage a kidnapping, have grandfather pay the ransom who is a millionaire. Let's see if I get this straight: Grandfather wants to teach the children to be better citizens only to get a ransom note from the so called "kidnappers"? I guess this is normal according to Disney.

*After sometime, grandfather calls the police. Mom hears about the "Kidnapping" and she returns................

I could go on, but that would give it away! You get the picture? I know this is only a movie-but it's interesting to note a contrast between the real world and the world according to Disney. The events depicted are unthinkable and unrealistic.

Where do script writers get the ideas for this trash? I have no idea, but I do know this: They have a perverted view of the world. I enjoy this film though. Just don't forget: It's not the real world, but the world according to Disney!

What more could you ask for from Disney, their formula comedy films were a staple from the 1950s through the 70s. In this film, two children are supposed to spend their vacation with their grandfather. Problem is, they don't like him, so they concoct a plan to be kidnapped. The kidnappers couldn't have been better cast with Darren McGavin and Don Knotts.

This film couldn't be made in today's world, with all the child abductions going on, but back in 70s though, the atmosphere was different. The point of the movie though, is money is not what loves you back, and the grandfather needed to learn that. This is one of the last Disney films to star Don Knotts.

Duke and Bert played (Eavin and Don Knotts) are two safe-cracking burglars who are out to bust out their big job. They plan to rob the safe of a millionaire. Unfortunately they get entangled with the two grand kids of the millionaire. The grand kids want to run away and force the bank robbers to chaperone them. A comic Disney movie that proves that crime may not pay, but it can be funny.

This film is full of fun and comedy. You are going to laugh so hard you'll hurt! The building ledge and police chase scenes are outrageously hilarious! Don Knotts does a great job in this movie. Definitely one of his best!