The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band is a 1968 musical film based on the novel Nebraska by Laura Bower Van Nuys. The film was produced by Walt Disney Productions and directed by Michael O'Herlihy. The song score is provided by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.

Story origins and the making of the motion picture

In the years following Walt Disney's death, several films were produced and released by the Disney company that are particularly noteworthy for their music. One such film is The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band. The project, which was originally planned as a two-part television show titled "The Family Band", was based on the book Nebraska 1888 by Laura Bowers Van Nuys about her family's band that performed at the 1888 Democratic convention. Walt Disney had asked the Sherman Brothers for their help on the project because he felt the story was too flat. The Shermans came up with the title song which was then used as the title of the motion picture. After hearing the song, Disney decided to add more songs to the film and turn it into a musical. In all the Sherman Brothers wrote eleven songs for the film.

Plot

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).

Songs

• "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band"
• "Ten Feet Off The Ground"
• "The Happiest Girl Alive"
• "'Bout Time"
• "Let's Put It Over with Grover"
• "Dakota"
• "Drummin' Drummin' Drummin'"
• "Oh, Benjamin Harrison"
• "West o' the Wide Missouri"

Trivia

• This was the first musical feature produced at Disney following Walt Disney's death.

• Bob Sherman participated in the project under protest, believing the subject matter too mundane to justify being made into a feature-length, musical film.

• Kurt Russell (then age 16) met Goldie Hawn (then age 21) on the set of Family Band. They have been partners since 1983.

• Two songs from the film: "'Bout Time" and "Ten Feet Off the Ground" were later covered by Louis Armstrong. "'Bout Time" was featured in the 2005 release of Bewitched (film).

• This was the second musical film to pair rising stars John Davidson and Lesley Ann Warren opposite each other. The first film was The Happiest Millionaire made the year before.

Cast

• Walter Brennan - Renssaeler Bower
• Buddy Ebsen - Calvin Bower
• John Davidson - Joe Carder
• Lesley Ann Warren - Alice Bower
• Janet Blair - Katie Bower
• Kurt Russell - Sidney Bower
• Steve Harmon - Ernie Stubbins
• Richard Deacon - Charlie Wrenn
• Wally Cox - Wampler
• Debbie Smith - Lulu Bower
• Bobby Riha - Mayo Bower
• Smith Wordes - Nettie Bower
• Heidi Rook - Rose Bower
• Jon Walmsley - Quinn Bower
• Pamelyn Ferdin - Laura Bower
• John Craig - Frank
• William Woodson - Henry White
• Goldie Hawn - Giggly Girl (as Goldie Jeanne Hawn)
• Jonathan Kidd - Telegrapher

External links

• The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band at the Internet Movie Database
• UltimateDisney.com DVD Review with Pictures