Moviecut—Snowball Express

source: Snowball Express

This movie is a tremendous comic force. Besides being a fun movie it does not try to get its laughs in an underhanded way- no potty jokes and no stupid sex antics. It's funny without trying to shock the viewer, as unlike so many other modern comedy movies. You are invited to laugh not forced to. This movie is for anyone who has experienced the trials of learning how to ski for the first time. This movie is especially for anyone who has been brave enough to leave the city for a rural setting, and had the insight to realize that some hard out door work and fresh air may be worth something more than money can buy

Dean Jones inherits a hotel in Colorado. He quits his job and moves himself, wife Nancy Olson and children Johnny Whittaker and Kathleen Cody to their new home. They discover Harry Morgan and a wrecked hotel and they decide to open a ski lodge, despite knowing nothing about it and banker Keenan Wynn wanting the property for his own, presumably nefarious, purposes. It's typical Disney family fare in this period, pleasant and episodic. While it begins with story-telling more suited to a TV series than a theatrical movie, by about the 40-minute mark, Frank Phillips' camerawork takes advantage of the winter scenery around Crested Butte, Colorado to turn this into a nicely cinematic -- although process-shot-laden -- effort.

Dean Jones inherits a hotel in Colorado. He quits his job and moves himself, wife Nancy Olson and children Johnny Whittaker and Kathleen Cody to their new home. They discover Harry Morgan and a wrecked hotel and they decide to open a ski lodge, despite knowing nothing about it and banker Keenan Wynn wanting the property for his own, presumably nefarious, purposes. It's typical Disney family fare in this period, pleasant and episodic. While it begins with story-telling more suited to a TV series than a theatrical movie, by about the 40-minute mark, Frank Phillips' camerawork takes advantage of the winter scenery around Crested Butte, Colorado to turn this into a nicely cinematic -- although process-shot-laden -- effort.

Johnny Baxter (Dean Jones) is shocked to inherit a hotel in Colorado from a distant relative. He promptly quits his dead end corporate job and drags his family into the unknown. The place turns out to be a lot less than advertised. He decides to turn the hotel into a ski resort but he needs a loan. This is a Disney family comedy. It has some screwball physical comedy. It has Dean Jones. It's missing something. Ultimately, I've decided that they need better kids. They need cute kids who are charismatic and funny. The Baxters have a teen daughter beauty and a bratty younger brother. Neither are that compelling and are mostly relegated to secondary action. There is a fun local teen which helps a lot. Harry Morgan is a bit wasted. Overall, this is a minor comedy and a lesser remembered Disney family film of that era.

Starts off better than it finishes, but 'Snowball Express' is still a fairly fun watch. Dean Jones (Johnny) is once again the best actor on display, though Harry Morgan (Jesse) runs him relatively close. Keenan Wynn is alright as Ridgeway, though I'm not a huge fan of Wynn's - which isn't good given he basically plays the same type of character over and over. The premise and how it progresses is fine - could've been greater, could've been worse. It's not as funny as I would've predicted/how the film thinks it is, but there are one or two decent gags worthy of a chuckle. Nothing spectacular, probably worth a view to see if you like it though.

My family was fortunate in finding a VHS copy of this movie many years ago. I always liked the theme music as the Baxters were driving into Silver Hill. Keenan Wynn has alway been a Disney "villian favourite" for Dean Jones to spar with. His gruff exterior is a great sounding board for other characters to work against. I'm watching the movie now as I write this. I always wanted to find the hotel on Google Earth. I was stuck looking at the real Silver Hill, Colorado until I discovered where it was really made. I had hoped the old hotel still existed as I would be a great place to visit on a driving vacation. It is a great movie to inspire one to take a chance in life and try something different. This movie has all the pluses and comedic characters to last and last. One of my favourite scenes is when Michael McGreevey (Wally) blows up the tree stump. "Ahh darn!"

I'm sure I loved this as a kid, but it felt all new to me now. Nothing wrong with this movie at all, I'd recommend it to any family. Silly, low budget fun. Just not my cup of tea these days.

This is absolutely one of the funniest movies I've ever seen without subjecting the viewer to low class potty humor or vulgarity. Most people won't find it as funny as today's vulgar and crass humor or the insipid "dumb and dumber" type of humor. However, if you are looking for something for the entire family that is clean and at the same time hilarious, this is it! My family never tires of watching this movie for a good laugh. They certainly don't make good, clean movies like they used to which is a great pity! I wish I could buy a collection of Dean Jones' movies at one time. I love his ability to seem foolish and yet come out the hero without superficial trappings that seem to be required of most heroes today. He is an "everyman" hero and one that obviously has integrity where other lack it.