mike48128 If I did "see" it, it was on Walt Disney Presents and it wasn't on a color TV. A fabulous cast: Janet Blair, Buddy Epsen, Walter Brennan, John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Richard Deacon, Wally Cox, and others. A few "humable" Sherman Bros. songs. One song-after-another in the first 20 minutes may put you off at first, but stay with it. The family band wants to sing at the Grover Cleveland rally in St. Louis, but instead ends up resettling in The Dakota Territory. A somewhat predictable plot involving romance between Lesley and John and some family political disagreements. The last 30 minutes of the movie really "click" and thus I "upgraded" my initial rating from 8 to 9. A rousing full cast "dance" number followed by a "brawl" in which nobody really gets hurt, Disney-style. (Walt Disney died before the film was completed and it was released 18 months after his death.) Perhaps the last live action musical Disney Studios film until the very recent Beauty and The Beast? Walter Brennan does an outstanding job and "holds" the movie together!

johnstonjames it was nice to see that all the reviews of this film were good, positive, reviews. glad because that means i don't have to heatedly defend it online from a bunch of cynical, sour-puss, stick-in-the-mud, types.you know the way that some people get all worked up and excited over rock stars? or the way recent Disney fans get into 'High School Musical'? that's how i feel about this movie. the very mention of it's title gets me all worked up and jumping. for me this movie is so awesome it's hard to describe the jubilation and excitement it gives me on the inside. when i was a little kid of only 7 yrs, i had the Disney song record to this and every time i would think about it i would go nuts with excitement.i love everything about this film. the charming acting ( i love Walter Brennan), the sense of history, the tuneful and often very funny music, and above all it's sense of romance and dedication to family principles and values.it also seems to mean if you have a true love of America and what it stands for you will see this film and not hesitate. old fashioned Republicans or stubborn Democrats alike will find something to relate or laugh about. Buddy Ebsen has one of the funniest lines when he says the Grover Cleveland song "wouldn't be appreciated at a republican convention" hilarious.everyone visiting IMDb 'Family Band' site should read the review by AllenBlank (his review was sooo intelligent and said it all) and the review of the sweet lady who knew one of the children from the cast.it doesn't matter that Walt Disney himself could be a hard-nosed Republican. this film is for everyone. it certainly doesn't spout the reactionary Republican sentiments of 'Happiest Millionaire' (which i also really like), but a fair consideration of both parties. it also has a deep message of how politics can destroy a family unit and tear it apart.Repub or donkey it doesn't matter with this film. it's all good. i mean i totally HATE politics and don't like political solutions to anything. I am also not nationalistic, which this film is. but i can enjoy the rich history and values this country was founded on. God Bless this little joyful film. it has given me so much happiness.

dear1953 This has to be one of the best Disney movies ever. I haven't seen it in a number of years but will be so happy when it comes out on DVD so I can have a personal copy and can share it with my grandchildren. I remember watching it after Goldie Hawn was a big name and I recognized her right away. Of course, Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson are as good here as they were in "The Happiest Millionaire". I got my 6 year old grandson hooked on that one. If you want the old Disney classics, this is a must for your collection.

cindyslynnl 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.