 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Apple Dumpling Gang
- Review Date: September 7, 2007
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1975
Common Sense Media says
Rollicking Old West ride lassos some stereotypes.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this 1975 Disney Western suffers from the stereotypes of its day, including a stereotypical portrayal of Asian people, and a condescending view of women. When Dusty gets married, she's no longer interested in running her father's business; She puts on a dress and stays home with the kids. There's also mild violence and danger that may frighten very young children, but it's mostly harmless.
What's the story?
At a stop in Quake city, roaming bachelor Russell Donovan (Bill Bixby) tells a con man named Wintle that he'll wait for the stagecoach to pick up the man's "valuables," which turns out to be three kids. Stuck in the Gold Rush ghost town and saddled with the kids, Donovan tries to pawn his new charges off on hostile townsfolk. Meanwhile, the kids (Stacy Manning, Clay O'Brien, and Brad Savage) explore their family's gold mine. After a near disastrous cave-in, the kids find a 300-pound gold nugget. Suddenly those apathetic townsfolk are so concerned about the kids' welfare that they're tearing at Celia's new dress and the town dumb criminals Theodore and Amos (Don Knotts and Tim Conway) hatch a scheme to take that gold for themselves. But when Wintle returns to claim the kids and the riches, Donovan and the kids have to act quickly to outwit him.
Is it any good?
THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG is full of thrills and adventure exciting enough to keep kids interested, while mild enough not to frighten more sensitive kids. Knotts and Conway carry the film with their slapstick, and they're the characters kids are likely to remember and love. Though the film may seem dated now, the mild hijinx and silly fun, wild races and chases, and wacky characters are enough to keep kids giggling.
The only drawback is the outdated and offensive portrayals of women and Asian Americans, as shown in the Asian camp next to Quake City and the romance between Dusty (Susan Clark) and Donovan. Dusty jumps at the chance to marry Donovan, trading in her Old West gear for dresses and losing interest in running her father's stagecoach business.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what they would do if they came across lost money. Would you return it or keep it? What would you do for a lot of money? How different are you from the townspeople?
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AGE
Watch. This. Movie.
Watch. This. Movie. Those are the three first words I can say between laughs. If you want a family film, this is one of the BEST. Lots of slapstick comedy, given that Don Knotts and Tim Conway are in here. Some stereotyping of Asian people, portraying them as angry scary people towards the kids. There is a saloon which the characters go in and out of regularly, but only two characters shows mild drunkeness. Some discussion of good-looking women between bachelors, and discussion of marriage and 'excercising marital prerogatives'. Young kids may not understand that part until they get older. Great message of sticking by those you love, and don't desert them; good role models in the Sheriff and Donavan, once he learns his lesson(s). Basic storyline: an unfortunate bachelor gets landed with 3 kids he doesn't want after a friend dies. He tries to find someone to look after them so he can leave the city, and ends up 'marrying' (in name only) Dusty, a tomboyish girl who lives in town. They have big arguments that everybody watches with amusement; the kids go off to explore family mines and find gold and trouble. Suddenly, everybody in the town cares for them, and wants to adopt them (hmmm...). The town's dumb criminals, Amos and Theodore, who never succeed at anything, try to steal the gold. Another bad guy gang, led by an old enemy that Amos shot accidently, wants the gold too, and the showdown begins from there. Very exciting and hilarious. ~Ugli Chic
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| Topics: | adventures |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Norman Tokar |
| Cast: | Bill Bixby, Don Knight, Don Knotts, Susan Clark, Tim Conway |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 100 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 7, 1975 |
| DVD release date: | September 2, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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