Movie Monday Review: The Apple Dumpling Gang

The Gang’s All Here!

The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)

Starring: Don Knotts, Tim Conway, Bill Bixby, Susan Clark, Harry Morgan, David Wayne, Slim Pickens, Stacy Manning, Clay O’Brien, and Brad Savage

Summary

Professional gambler, Russel Donavan (Bill Bixby), arrives in Quake City hoping to win something for himself, but soon finds himself entangled in all sorts of adventure! A former acquaintance of his, a rather unscrupulous fellow, begs him to pick up a “package” off the stage coming in the following day. In a moment of desperation, Donavan agrees to pick up the “package” in exchange for five dollars (needed for the game he’s playing). Magnolia Clydesdale (Susan Clark), otherwise known as Dusty, is the co-owner/operator of the Butterfly Stage, along with her father, Col. Clydesdale (David Wayne). She is also the driver and as tomboy as you can get. On the stage the following day, she brings the package of fate, which is actually three orphaned children.

Mr. Donavan tries to refuse to take them, saying he was under the impression it was simply a package and not children. Nevertheless, the sheriff of the town (Harry Morgan) insists he take them. What ensues is an adventure as the children try looking for gold (and find it) and end up causing all kinds of hullaballoo around town.

A couple of two-bit thugs, Theodore and Amos (Don Knotts and Tim Conway), see Donavan as a good target and attempt to way-lay him in all ways possible. However, they are bumbling in every way and always fail. Also trying to rob the bank, they fail again and are threatened with a hanging.

In the end, Donavan has to save the children’s gold from the Stillwell Gang and save Dusty from being shot, showing he really cares for her. The leader of the gang, Frank Stillwell (Slim Pickens), also tries to kidnap the children, leading into a big chase scene and fight which includes a fire wagon.

With everything working together in the end, Donavan and Dusty adopt the children and live happily ever after…along with Theodore and Amos. 😉

An argument over a brass bed between Donavan and Dusty

Review

This is a fun western comedy that the whole family can enjoy! Don Knotts and Tim Conway bring so much humor to the presentation. Attempting numerous times to waylay Mr. Donavan, falling off roofs, flying up the roof, setting their pants on fire, and trying to steal a ladder from the fire house are all some of the ways they make you laugh.

Mr. Donavan and Dusty don’t always see eye-to-eye, but there is a definite spark between the two of them! The neat thing about them is that throughout the movie, they learn what it means to love each other and the children, to think outside themselves. Although annoying to some romance-lovers around, it is pleasant to see how Mr. Donavan treats Dusty as a lady and in a gentlemanly manner. After their plan fails, which was to get married only in order to adopt the three children, they get annulment papers. As he’s about to leave Dusty, there is a moment where you think they actually could love each other (it’s obvious that she loves him), but it’s not the right time. He leaves her with a handshake.

The three orphaned children, Bobby (Clay O’Brien), Clovis (Brad Savage), and Celia (Stacy Manning), are as cute as can be. Their innocent love for each other and quickly for Mr. Donavan and Dusty is touching, even giving up their gold (worth thousands of dollars) just for them. The ever-present challenge that Celia presents to Dusty, Donavan, and everyone else she’s in contact with is that she always has to go to the bathroom! The three of them are quite decent actors for being so young, they work well together.

“Mr. Donavan, I gotta go!”

Fun music, fun performances, and a simply down-right good movie. You won’t want to miss out.

Slim Pickens and his gang attempting to kidnap the children

Ellen Nolan

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