Review – The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin – 1967

Staring:
Roddy McDowall
Suzanne Pleshette
Karl MaldenMusic by the Sherman Brothers

Apparently the story is based on the book “By the Great Hornspoon” which my kids said I read to them. I have no recollection of the story…although I do remember the title.

The story is about a boy and a butler who head to the goldfields in California to make their fortune. They do…in a series of ridiculous adventures. 

Anyway, this is the first time I saw it and it was “Classic 1960’s Disney.” It could have starred Dean Jones, Tim Conway, or Fred MacMurray . It surely has a G rating…and makes for a fun family movie. If you’re at all familiar with 1960’s TV you’ll see a cast of characters that you’ll know…from Mayor Stoner and Old Jud in the Andy Griffith Show to other background actors who have dozens of appearances to their credit.

The Fight between Bullwhip and Mountain Ox is delightfully, innocent, and hilarious. The tone of the movie makes me wish our movie tastes have not been so skewed by big budget movie blockbuster thrillers. the pace is slow, the humour obvious, and the story is wholesome..

I  give The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin it the Familyman’s Seal of Approval for a clean fun, family film that I’m sure to watch again.

Fun facts – 

Rodney McDowall is the star Monkey in the original Planet of the Apes.

Suzanne Pleshette was a Disney star and went to play the wife of Bob Newhart in the 70’s TV hit The Bob Newhart Show.

Mike Mazurki (Mountain OX) graduated from Fordham Law School and became an attorney. He later said he took up professional wrestling because he could earn around ten times what he could as a lawyer. Mazurki was also a professional football and basketball player.