The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

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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 Pictures and directed by Michael O'Herlihy. The song score is provided by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.

1 Plot
2 Trivia
3 Cast
4 External links

[edit] 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).

[edit] Trivia

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

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".

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.

[edit] 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