The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again DVD with Tim Conway, Don Knotts, Tim Matheson (G) +Movie Reviews +Used DVD available for Swap

Fun clean family film, but save your VHS copy

microjoe | 01/29/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"The web site does not let me change stars on my rating, the movie is 4 stars and the DVD is 1 star

DVD TREATMENT = 1 star but movie is 4 stars

First of all, it is only fair that I alert you to the fact that the DVD copy sold at the time of my review is not an improvement over the last VHS release. There was no effort to re-master the picture, sound, colors, or to use Widescreen, no extras. Save your video for now, or if you do not have one buy the VHS version, it is loads cheaper and it has nothing less in quality or features than the DVD. Maybe Disney will get the hint and come out with a better version.

MOVIE REVIEW = 4 stars

A slapstick sequel to "The Apple Dumpling Gang" from 1975, (Tim Conway and Don Knotts) as Amos and Theodore, the goodhearted bumbling western bandits now want to go straight. Most of the characters from the first movie are gone, most noticiblay the kids. Amos and Theodore arrive in a new town and somehow get accused of robbery when they go to the bank to open an account. In trying to get away from an angry lawman Marshall Hickock (Kenneth Mars), They hide in an army wagon which is heading to the fort so they are forced to join the army but succeed in burning down their own post, Fort Concho. Somebody has been stealing the valuable supplies the troops need. Turns out there is a smuggling ring that stages robberies right from their jail cells in a military prison. They befriend Private Reid (Tim Matheson). and Major Gaskill (Harry Morgan, strangely he is back in a completely different part than the first movie) who is being ruined by a crafty underhanded Lieutenant Ravencroft (Robert Pine). The lieutenant is engaged to the Majors daughter (Elyssa Davalos). A lot of funny character actors of the day appear in quick walk on scenes such as - Ruth Buzzi is hilarious as Tough Kate, and Jack Elam as Big Mac, Audrey Totter as Martha, the blind cabin woman. Look for the scene near the end when poor Amos and Theodore are dressed as women to hide in the wagon train, when it gets attacked by Indians. The movie starts a little slow, so give it a chance to get going. You need to take this movie for what it is, it never takes itself seriously and is basically an F-Troop type send-up spoof of other western movies and shows. It is all clean silly fun, suitable for the entire family.

TRIVIA & BEHIND THE SCENES: The movie poster promoting the film at the time had the tagline, "It took ten years to win the West... they lost it in a week!". Originally released to U.S. theaters on June 27, 1979 with a G rating. Directed by Vince McEveety, while the first movie was by Norm Tokar. Don Tait returned to write the screenplay, the first movie was based on a book by Jack Bickham. At the Disney Studios backlot, the crew used the old Cuartel sets from the old Zorro series as the "Bridger Military Prison". Location shooting was used extensively for the film, including scenes at Disney's own Golden Oak Ranch; at Sonora and Ranch Newhall in California. The unit also shot in Utah at Glen Canyon, Kanab Movie Fort and western town. It was aired only once on the "Wonderful World of Disney" television show as a 2 episode show on September 25 and October 2, 1982. A television remake movie was made by Disney, "Tales of the Apple Dumpling Gang", and they crafted a short TV series called "Gun Shy" based on the original story as well. The movie was first released to video in 1981. Running time was 89 minutes. If you like trivia, in some foreign markets the movie was also known as "Trail's End"."

Great Movie

A Mom | Michigan | 10/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of our family's favorite movies. This is so full of cliches that it is a riot. Everything in it, the bad guys, the Indians, the "brave soldiers" are all a spoof on numerous other westerns. One of Conway's and Knott's best comedies. I hope that Disney re-releases this on DVD. We love to watch this over whenever life gets down and we need a laugh."

Yet Another Underrated Disney Live Action Comedy

gobirds2 | New England | 11/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I thought this was an entertaining movie. It was not one of Disney's greatest, but it contained some truly amusing scenes. This is a far better film than many that Disney Studios was producing during the decade of the 70s. Some of the scenes were dumb, but lighten up, that's what makes it so enjoyable and funny. Tim Conway and Don Knotts are hilarious. Have a good laugh."

The Misadventures of Theodore and Amos

Timbo_DeRimbo | The Great State of Kansas | 11/10/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Movie: The second bananas of The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) become the stars of the 1979 sequel. I, for one, would have enjoyed the entire cast returning, if only for the sake of the Apple Dumpling Gang name. The three orphans added charm and it would be fun to see Dusty and Donovan again. However this was not to be, so we have what could be called The Misadventures of Theodore and Amos, which is pretty funny in its own way.

Of course, Tim Conway and Don Knotts are just hilarious as bumbling idiots Amos Tucker and Theodore Olevie. Arriving in Junction City to earn a straight living, they are shortly accused thereafter of bank robbery when they try to open a bank account. (The back of the DVD proclaims that they were depositing a check, when it's obvious in the movie that it is cash.) This sets up the whole misadventure of escaping from Marshal Wooly Bill Hitchcock (Kenneth Mars) and eventually catching the real bank robbers.

When the ditzy drunken duo arrives at Major Gaskill's (Harry Morgan) fort, the movie picks up speed. Hiding from Hitchcock, they had stowed away in Pvt. Jeff Reed's (Tim Matheson) wagon as he brings Millie the major's daughter to visit. Millie is played by Elyssa Davalos. Later Reed kidnaps/saves Millie and directs her on how to carry wood. This scene did seem harsh to me, as Reed's true motivations are later revealed.

We are introduced to Millie's fiancé, Lt. Ravencroft, played by Robert Pine as the film progresses. He is also Major Gaskill's second in command.

While I enjoyed this movie as a kid, I still enjoy it as an adult. But some plot points are not resolved to my full satisfaction. At the end, I would have liked to see Major Gaskill, once again, reclaiming his fort. All together, Morgan could have been used more in this movie, expanding its charm. He certainly did in ADG 1, where he played a different and more central character. ADG Rides Again introduces him and the military thefts early on, connects him to Theodore and Amos when they arrive at his fort, but lastly shows him prepared to leave command due to the unsolved thievery. Granted, it is assumed that he retains command at movies end, but a final scene with Major Gaskill, his daughter, Pvt. Reed, Theodore, Amos, and Lt. Ravencroft would have added closure to the movie.

Lots of other characters come and go, too, such as Ruth Buzzi as Old Tough Kate and Audrey Totter as Martha, the blind cabin woman. Totter plays this beautifully, but could have also used more screen time, setting up her story. Buzzi appears for her scenes, but isn't heard from again.

Finally I also felt sorry for Conway and Knotts in the final scene when they were still in drag. It was just a little too wacky and dumb once the American Indians began to attack the train our fearful fugitives are on. Leave out this attack and give me closure.

Overall, I recommend this as a fun family film, which could have been more tightly plotted, but is funny, silly, and ridiculous like the comic stars.

DVD: Absolutely nothing special. No extras. Not available in widescreen. Not recommended.

"

NOT AS GOOD AS THE FIRST ONE

Gary L. Dibert | Pittsburgh, Pa | 02/24/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the sequel of the first movie that was made in 1975 and that was The Apple Dumpling Gang. In 1979 The Apple Dumpling Gangs Rides Again starring Tim Conway as Amos Tucker, Don Knotts as Theodore Olevie and Tim Matheson as Private Jeff Reed. Those two bumbling outlaws Theodore and Amos are broke and down on their luck. So they decide to try to deposit a check in the local bank only to be accused of trying to rob it. While trying to escape they run into legendary Marshall Wooly Bill Hitchcock. With Hitchcock on their trail the two bumbling outlaws decide to enlist in the Army. Enters Private Jeff Reed who trying to figure out whose stealing guns from the Army surplus. After getting in all kinds of trouble Amos and Theodore end up in the stockade. Although they escape this mess, the witless team who could never shoot straight still can't seem to succeed in going straight. It's riotous, raucous fun as THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG RIDES AGAIN! I saw the first one and I don't think this was as good. However with Tim Conway and Don Knotts together you can't go wrong so I'm giving this picture 8 weasel stars."

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