Customer Reviews

Superdad

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

THE STORY: Charlie (Bob Crane) is a succesful lawyer who is worried and overprotective of his 18 year old daughter Wendy (Kathleen Cody). Recently graduated from High School, she hangs around with her surfer pals, listening to music, cruising, and having fun, but Dad wants her to get serious and get in the perfect law college, and improve the quality of her friends. He attempts to find a husband for her, and of course his choices don't match her own ideas. Her childhood sweetheart Bart (Kurt Russel) is still in the picture for one thing, and she is in love with him. So Dad embarks on an effort to get closer to his daughter in order to influence her and does the things she likes to do with hilarious results - including multiple injuries. The scenes of him screaming while being pulled on water skis alone are worth seeing this movie for, trust me, even if you didn't see the rest.. But see it all.

BEHIND THE SCENES & TRIVIA: The film required quite a bit of location shooting outside the studio lot in California including in San Francisco at Fisherman's Wharf; around the many houseboats in Sausalito; the First Christian Church in Pasadena, and the "wedge" in Newport Beach. There are 3 original songs in the movie all written by Shane Tatum, and the song, "When I'm Near You", became a popular song for weddings after this film. Directed by Vince McEveety. Actors Joe Flynn and Dick Van patten are great character actors in this film, a regular job for Disney during the period. The song "These are the Best of Times" was sung by Bobby Goldsboro. Filmed in Technicolor. Interesting trivia: Kevin Corcoran, a child actor in dozens of Disney films, worked behind the camera on this film and others for the studio. This Disney live action comedy was theatrically released on January 18, 1973, but had been in production since the late 1960's. It was shown on the "Wonderful World of Disney" television show in a 2 hour episode on February 15, 1976. It aired again edited as two seperate 1 hour episodes on November 26 and December 3, 1978. Theatrical version first released to rental VHS market in 1985. 95 minutes in length.

There is a lot to like in this film for any fan of clean Disney family fare from this era. There are some great scenes with a crazy beatnik painter on a houseboat, leading up to a big paint fight. Oh, and if you are a fan of Kurt Russel he is great in this one.

PLOT: Charlie (Bob Crane) is a succesful lawyer who is worried and overprotective of his 18 year old daughter Wendy (Kathleen Cody). Recently graduated from High School, she hangs around with her surfer pals, listening to music, cruising, and having fun, but Dad wants her to get serious and get in the perfect law college, and improve the quality of her friends. He attempts to find a husband for her, and of course his choices don't match her own ideas. Her childhood sweetheart Bart (Kurt Russel) is still in the picture for one thing, and she is in love with him. So Dad embarks on an effort to get closer to his daughter in order to influence her and does the things she likes to do with hilarious results - including multiple injuries. The scenes of him screaming while being pulled on water skis alone are worth seeing this movie for, trust me, even if you didn't see the rest.. But see it all.

Background: The film required quite a bit of location shooting outside the studio lot in Califormia including in San Francisco including Fishermans Wharf; around the many houseboats in Sausalito; the First Christian Church in Pasadena, and the "wedge" in Newport Beach. There are 3 original songs in the movie all written by Shane Tatum, and the song, "When I'm Near You", became a popular song for weddings after this film. Directed by Vince McEveety. Actors Joe Flynn and Dick Van patten are great character actors in this film, a regular job for Disney during the period. The song "These are the Best of Times" was sung by Bobby Goldsboro. Filmed in Technicolor. Interesting trivia: Kevin Corcoran, a child actor in dozens of Disney films, worked behind the camera on this film and others for the studio. This Disney live action comedy was theatrically released on January 18, 1973, but had been in production since the late 1960's. It was shown on the "Wonderful World of Disney" televison show in a 2 hour episode on February 15, 1976. It aired agian as two episodes on November 26 and December 3, 1978. First released to VHS in 1985. 95 minmutes in length.

There is alot to like in this film for any fan of clean Disney family fare. There are some great scenes with a crazy beatnik painter on a houseboat, leading up to a big paint fight. Oh, and if you are a fan of Kurt Russel he is great in this one. Look for a DVD in 2008.

I got this DVD as a belated birthday gift..Since I am a fan of older Disney films , it is a treasure to enjoy again

Disney was always known for family fare. In thge early 1970's, Disney pictures did amazing job of making family films with Walt's vision after his death in the late 1960s. Superdad was one of those. I remember seeing this film when it first came out ,on a Saturday showing, paired with Herbie Rides Again

The way this roles was written it seems a vehicle of Dean Jones or Ken Berry, rather than foor Bob Crane. However steps into the father shoes easily and makes this film work.

Charlie McCready, A business attorney, still thinks his daughter (Kathleen Cody)is his little girl. He hangs around her and her friends Inclusing her boyfriend Bart (Kurt Russell). He tries to learn his daughter, but all it does is push her away

The supporting cast includes Bruno Kirby and Nicholas Hammond (South of Music and 1980 TV Spiderman)as well as Disney staples Joe Flynn and (a Pre Eight is Enough) Dick Van Patton.

It may be corny by today's modern sitcom-like standards, but this 1973 film still DOES holds up. It is enjoyable for great family fare..and maybe we need more of these films these days! NO messages just fun

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

The late,great Bob Crane(Hogan's Heroes) inspite of his shortcomings shines on this great Disney family classic.Bob,we all love and miss you!!It's a must see but please put it on DVD!!!!!!!!!!!

I was so excited when this Disney great finally appeared on DVD . Every Sunday night while I was growing up my family and I watched the Sunday night Disney feature . I remembered the song from the show , " These are the best times ," and the song still sends shivers down me . I highly recommend for families and children 6 & older as it stuck with me for more than 30 years !

I recently purchased this video on Amazon.com. My husband and I watched it with our twin 15 year old sons - I thought that they might think it was corny or dumb - - - but they thought it was funny! They were laughing even more than I was! I was so happy that I had purchased it and that everyone enjoyed it - not just me.

This movie based in the '70s is a real Disney sleeper of a success..containing many famous cast members.. but more importantly the premise of the story it tells transcends generations to come. The love story of a childhood friendship blossomed, the struggle of a parent trying to hold onto their child who has become an adult and the comedic consequences of that parent trying to manipulate the course. A real gem here is the musical contribution of songwriter Bobby Goldsboro. "These are the Best Times" done by a children's choir at the church wedding of the main characters Wendy and Bart (played by a young Kurt Russell) is a young bride's envy! The song so eloquently breaks through all the stress of the wedding and focuses the audience on the friends and family's importance on the beginning of their new life together! Ahhhh... so romantic, tugs right at the heart and makes you feel warm and fuzzy....

I first saw this movie when I was about 11 years old in the movie theater. I remember telling my friend at that time, that when I got married I was going to walk down the aisle to the same song.
I never forgot this, got married 24 years ago and the duo that played at my wedding, was able to find the music and lyrics and they performed it beautifully for our ceremony.
Several people commented what a beautiful song it was, yet they had never heard it!

I love this movie. It was I excellent condition for a VHS. It brought back so many memories. Bob Crane and Kurt Russell were hilarious.

I won't say this is a "bust a gut laughing" Disney film but I loved it!! Great old fashion entertainment!! I would recommend this movie to anyone!