What happens when Stella Johnson and her daughter Dee come up against the unwelcome wagon of the Harper Valley P.T.A.? Hilarious comedy that's fun for the entire family!
Looks more fun than it really is. A must for Genie fans though!
Movie Reviews
This was SHOCKING for its time Right Tame now but Funny!
DAS SKY LYCANTHROPE | Baltimore, Maryland USA | 02/17/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is effectively a story about a nice widowed fast city woman, with painted lips and long tapering lashes wearing short short mini skirts. This vamp and vixen moves to a quiet way conservative sleepy town named Harper Valley. She dares to join the PTA that bastion of moral rectitude. Her outspoken progressive ways are immediately held suspect. She in her short skirts is proclaimed by Harper Valley PTA a vile role model for young people. She is labelled by the PTA as a person not fit to shape the minds of impressionable youth.She is in truth a good woman of honest if not pure motives and unsullied honor. The town would have you think she was the devils agent...P> The song of the same name tends to tell the story of the movie but its still well worth the watching. It's more funny now than shocking...."
Cute fluff-ball comedy
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 12/20/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"HARPER VALLEY P.T.A. is a cute comedy, based on the chart-topping country song from Jeannie C. Riley (written by Tom T. Hall).
Barbara Eden plays the vivacious Mrs Stella Johnson, who walks to the beat of her own drum, much to the horror of her strait-laced neighbours and the members of the Harper Valley P.T.A. One afternoon Stella's daughter Dee (Susan Swift) comes home from school with a letter from the secretary of the P.T.A. which threatens to expell Dee if Stella does not conform. Stella and her wacky best friend Alice (Nanette Fabray) decide that a little revenge is on the cards...!
This film is very much a one-note caper comedy, but the performances of Barbara Eden and Nanette Fabray are so wonderful that they greatly enliven the limitations of the material. Susan Swift is lovely as Dee, and the formidable president of the P.T.A. is played by Audrey Christie in her best fashion. Also featuring Louis Nye, Ronny Cox, Pat Paulsen and John Fiedler.
HBO's new DVD release contains a crisp anamorphic print."
Revenge Can Be Sweet!
Byron Kolln | 07/10/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Barbara Eden jumps from the bottle not to the fire, so to speak. She plays Mrs. Stella johnson the "wild" mother whois mentioned in the Jeannie Riley hit Harper Valley PTA. The plot,as the song goes, starts out when daughter Dee is sent home with a note by the PTA saying they don't approve of Mrs. Johnson's lifestyle. Stella gets an earful of gossip about the righteous members of the PTA from beautician friend Alice(Nanette Fabray) and plans to fight fire with fire, setting each member up to an hilarious downfall. Along the way she has help from admirer Will Newton(Ron Cox) and bartender Herbie(Ron Masak). I have always loved this movie since I was about 5(back when it had become a short-lived tv show). I'm a big fan of Ron Masak's and he's a genius! Told by director Richard Bennett, Ron ad-libed 90% of his dialogue throughout the movie. Anything that comes out of his mouth is priceless! This movie is a blast!!!!"
Barbara Eden starring in her Best Movie
Byron Kolln | 05/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Barbara Eden starring in her best movie.She plays Stella in Harper Valley and is Great in the role.The movie should be in DVD since it is her Best movie.She sings a song in the movie and the best scenes are with her and the daughter Dee and when she is at the Meeting.Based on the song of the same name.There were 29 episodes of the TV Show based on the movie that should also be in DVD since Barbara Eden is Great in the role and the movie is fun and funny and a good family movie and show.Barbara Eden is the Best actress.The movie and all 29 episodes should be in DVD.Universal MCA should know that there is many people that would like the movie and all 29 episodes in DVD."