The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
1968
Action / Comedy / Drama / Family / Musical / Western

The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
1968
Action / Comedy / Drama / Family / Musical / Western
presidential election brass band black hills based on memoir or autobiography south dakota 19th century
Plot summary
The Bower Family Band petitions the Democratic National Committee to sing a Grover Cleveland rally song at the 1888 convention, but decide instead to move to the Dakota territory on the urging of a suitor to their eldest daughter. There, Grampa Bower causes trouble with his pro-Cleveland ideas, as Dakota residents are overwhelmingly Republican, and hope to get the territory admitted as two states (North and South Dakota) rather than one in order to send four Republican senators to Washington. Cleveland opposed this plan, refusing to refer to Congress the plan to organize the Dakotas this way. When Cleveland wins the popular vote, but Harrison the presidency due to the electoral college votes, the Dakotans (particularly the feuding young couple) resolve to live together in peace, and Cleveland grants statehood to the two Dakotas before he leaves office (along with two Democrat-voting states, evening the gains for both parties).
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
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I wish I could see this movie now
Disney political debate
It's 1888. Calvin Bower (Buddy Ebsen) intends to have his family band play at the Democratic National Committee for President Grover Cleveland despite the fact that he's a Republican. Elder daughter Alice (Lesley Ann Warren) is in love with Joe Carder (John Davidson) who turns out to be a Republican activist. Former Confederate grandpa is a staunch Democrat although mother insists on no politics at home. Joe is recruiting southern families to migrate to the Dakota territory. The Bower family follows him there. The main issue of the day is to divide into two states so that they can send four Republican senators.
Mixing politics into a Disney movie is a losing proposition. It's too complicated to simplify into a family film. I don't think Little Mermaid should be a Hilary supporter. It's very odd to have high level political arguments in a Disney musical. They're only self-serving political arguments anyways. I don't think Electoral College makes for good plot development. On top of that, the songs are not memorable and I don't like Joe. On the other hand, it is interesting to see some of these actors. One should notice young Disney star Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn in her film debut in a minor role. This is not one of the Disney classics.