Starring: Alice Backes, Kathleen Cody, George Lindsey, Michael McGreevey, Nancy Olson Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC Label: Walt Disney Video Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: April 22, 2003 Running Time: 93 minutes Theatrical Release Date: 1972
Description: Johnny Baxter (Dean Jones), a New York accountant, inherits a hotel in the Rocky Mountains, quits his job, and moves his family out West to beautiful Colorado. The Rockies never seemed rockier as the Baxters find their "estate" in a state of total dilapidation.
Amazon.com: When New York accountant Johnny Baxter (Dean Jones) learns he has inherited a Colorado hotel, he promptly quits his thankless job, packs up his dubious family, and heads west. Since this is a Disney comedy, the inn's only customers turn out to be nonpaying raccoons and its decorating motif is strictly cobweb. To make matters worse, the local banker not only refuses Baxter a loan, but tries to buy out the desperate newcomer with a lowball figure. But with the help of an eccentric squatter (M*A*S*H's Harry Morgan), a local snowmobile dude, and an avalanche, the city slickers eventually prevail. Jones' slapstick style is showcased in ski and snowmobile scenes featuring vintage 1972 special effects that are nevertheless hysterical to kids. With a G rating, this is safe, relatively entertaining family fare. (Ages 5 and older) --Kimberly Heinrichs
"You mean for a thousand dollars, we got stuck with this...clapboard igloo?" Three and a half stars for SNOWBALL EXPRESS.
Here's the plot: When a distant great uncle passes away, harried working drone John Baxter (Dean Jones) inherits the Grand Imperial Hotel in snowy Silver Hill, Colorado. In a highlight moment, Baxter quits his job in grand style, and then off he goes to pack his reluctant family to ski country. They get a shock, however, when they instead arrive at a run-down, deserted shambles of an establishment (the locals dub it "Crazy Jake's place").
Bats in the lobby. Raccoons in the oven. An uninvited guest lurking in the shadows. Nevertheless, the Baxters try to make a go at it, converting the hotel into a ski lodge; this, despite the fact that none of them actually knows how to ski. And a conniving banker, with an eye towards John Baxter's inheritance, aims to make things that much harder...
It boils down to this: A perhaps foolhardy venture at a new life. A dilapidated home. Snowball fights. An avalance. A lowdown, dirty trickery. And, it all, more or less, culminates in a wacky snowmobile race and with John Baxter paying attention to his clever kid.
Back in the '60s and '70s, Dean Jones was a staple in Disney cinema. And, like all of his other Disney outings, SNOWBALL EXPRESS, coming out in 1972, showcases Dean's patented everyman charm and accesibility. Like the awesome Fred MacMurray, Dean is down-to-earth and quite believable as an average bloke. Because of this, his reactions to his plights become that much funnier, because we're able to better connect with him and, by extension, the madcap situations in which he lands himself. Note, too, that Dean Jones handles himself just fine with the physical antics. Plus, his characters tend to be a wee bit uptight, further fueling the humor. I really think Dean flaunts one of the better "royally put upon" facial expressions out there.
SNOWBALL EXPRESS follows that tried-and-true Disney brand of family sentimentality and awkward goofiness. A Disney flick means that the wife is supportive and loving (this time, she's brought solidly to life by the always lovely and wholesome Nancy Olson), and the kids are juuust a tad rebellious but innately good at heart. The bad guy is oily and shady, in an over-the-top kind of way (as ably done by Keenan Wynn). And, naturally, there's always a lovable pet, this time in the shape of the humongous and cowardly dog, Stoutheart.
Yes, the humor is very silly and slapstick and might even make you roll your eyes. Still, there are some funny bits in here, such as Dean's classic backwards downhill ski and that red-headed kid's attempts to dislodge a massive tree root. Not to mention, the great character actor Harry Morgan drops several good one-liners.
To be honest, this isn't the best of Disney. I don't find SNOWBALL EXPRESS quite as enjoyable as, say, The Love Bug (Special Edition), Blackbeard's Ghost or even The Shaggy D.A.. But I liked it enough, as nothing more or less than a pleasant diversion and a good family flick. And, if nothing else, if you watch this, you might learn what to yell out in warning should you suddenly go out of control on the slopes.
Funny!!! Used to watch this movie when it came on tv as a kid. I was very excited when they released this to DVD. I have watched it several times now and still laugh at the mishaps that occur. It's a great family movie with lessons to be learned and clean comedy. Although it is an older movie, it is still funny today. Great for family night.
Wholesome Family Fun Such a good movie for the whole family. Great family values; including losing with dignity, perseverance, and teamwork. Lots of laughs are in this film so grab the popcorn, cuddle up with the kids and make a night of it!
Very Funny Classic Disney I love this movie. It is classic Disney from their heyday throughout the '60s and '70s. The skiing scenes with Dean Jones are absolutely hilarious. I would have given the movie 5 stars, but this particular DVD release had no extras at all, just the movie. Other than that, it's great entertainment.
Snowball Express - Simply terrific I saw this movie years ago, when I was just a kid and could'nt even remember it when I saw it on DVD. However, its just another great family film from Disney who never fail to deliver quality entertainment.
The story concerns a family who've inherited the grand Imperial Hotel and Dean Jones character decides to move the family to Silver Hills Colorado. However, all is not easy from the start and the whole family encounter one trouble after another.
Action sequences aplenty, and a lot of snow, naturally. I wont say anymore except, add this one to your collection, if your family appreciates good old family entertainment. Sure as hell beats a lot of rubbish on televison these days.
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