A young man from Boston heads west to join the California gold rush with the hopes of restoring his family fortune, but his dedicated butler sets out to find him and bring him home. In 1840s Boston when old man Flagg dies he leaves only debts behind. His grandson, Jack Flagg, dreamy and adventurous plans to run away from home and sneak aboard a sailing ship bound for gold-rich California. When his absence is discovered by his sister Arabella a frantic search ensues. Jack manages to board a California-bound ship where he meets crooked Judge Higgins and other characters. Fortunately for Jack his trusted and loyal butler, Bullwhip Griffin, has followed him on the ship. The two finally disembark in San Francisco and immerse themselves into the crazy world of California's gold rush. Jack Flagg's sister Arabella worries about her brother and decides to go to California herself to find Jack and their butler. After a really interesting start with the reading of a will, (and a portrait oil painting which amusingly changes it's countenance during each revealing cut-away) this standard Disney family comedy drags a little before a reasonably amusing boxing match at the end between 'Bullwhip' and 'The Ox', but overall this is very disappointing. There's some nice illustrated animated 'bookends' which divide up segments of the film with music (similar idea to 'Cat Ballou') but it's nowhere near in the same league as that film. It's a shame as I was expecting this film to be a lot better. Bizarrely, one of the main characters disappears a third of the way into the film and then turns up again near the end. Feels slightly disjointed. The acting is quite good and Roddy McDowall was perfectly cast. I like the way in which the 'Ox' character throws people through the air in a ridiculously exaggerated manner – which is reasonably slapstick funny and actually quite cleverly done. There are some nice typical 'Disney-fied' matte painted wide scenes. This movie is sweet, fun, entertaining for the whole family. For those who appreciate the more innocent days that are no longer. (The boxing match scene is a bit overdone though.) Roddy and Suzanne are cute together. Can't understand why this is not available on VHS!
Treveve replied
370 weeks ago