Una pazza banda di famiglia

I happened not to be able to sleep one night a few years ago so I flipped on the t.v. There was a movie beginning so I decided to watch it since it's star was Buddy Ebsen, one of my favorites. I thoroughly enjoyed it with the oh so young John Davidson, Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell. A couple of years I was talking with the woman who had become the best friend I ever had. We were talking about old movies which we both loved. I mentioned Family Band and told her that I could never remember the full title and asked if she had ever seen it. A sly smile came over her still beautiful face. Her Name was Debbie Smith, or better known to FAMILY BAND fans as Lulu Bower. It is with great sadness and a full heart that I would like the fans to know that Debbie passed away on May 22,2003 at the age of 49 from a long time bout with heart problems. I write this for the fans of the movie and of beautiful little Lulu. I hope the owners of this site allow this to remain on line for a while. Debbie sang and had a beautiful voice. That voice is now stilled. I hope that we may be allowed to keep Debbie with us a while longer. The world of music has lost a lot. So have I and anyone who was lucky enough to know Debbie.

I can't remember if I ever even saw this movie. What I do know for sure is that I had an LP with a large picture book and as you listened to the record you could read along in your book. I MUST have seen the movie because I have such a clear picture of Leslie Ann Warren kicking up her heels in this movie! I have looked for years for a copy of either the record and book, or the movie itself but I never have found one. This movie has some of the greatest songs in it. I still find myself singing snippets from "Ten Feet Off The Ground." Love it, Love it, Love it! As I watch "The Incredibles" again, or put "Monsters Inc." in the DVD player for my children I wish I could find this movie instead. Singing, dancing, romance, politics...this has to be a classic! The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band has it all.

Ever since I was little I got a kick out of this movie. I always loved the lyrics the actors, and especially the movie. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a copy before it went out of print, and became so hard to find. And I suggest it to anyone who wants a good musical.

Back in the 60's two films from the Disney Studios featured newcomers John Davidson and Leslie-Ann Warren : The Happiest Millionaire and this one. When Milionare was released it didn't do well and only recently has been restored to it's full Roadshow version. That put a damper on other films to follow and this is one. It's too bad this one didn't come out first as in my opinion it's a better film. The story is more believable and human. Even though you have splendid sets and costumes in Millionaire you have the splendid exteriors here. The only real names in this are Buddy Ebsen and Walter Brennen, although Janet Blair is a name to some. They bring humanity to the roles they play and you don't have them mugging for the cameras like Fred MacMuray and Tommy Steele in the other.

Being a family of musicians there are more entertaining large numbers in this film, especially the one at the end that can be said to be the first time Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn appeared in a film together.

This film as also cut before the release but the VHS copy I have is 130 minutes, so I am hoping it is the full one. (This database lists it as 110 minutes)The only DVD I have seen is in full screen, so let's hope that the Disney vaults are opened again and a proper release of the original version is available to us.

This is a classic Disney movie involving a small bit of American history. This movie deals with a family that moves out to the Dakota Territory and the presidential election involving President Grover Cleveland. If you liked "The Happiest Millionaire" then you will probably enjoy this movie also. Because of this movie, I will always remember that Grover Cleveland lost this reelection, but won next four years later.