Gnome-Mobile

UPC: 786936233650

Studio: Walt Disney Video

MPAA Rating: G   Contains:[Excellent For Children, Scary Moments]

Summary: The Gnome-Mobile was Walt Disney's first all-out fantasy since Mary Poppins. Walter Brennan stars in a dual role, as kindly lumber tycoon D. J. Mulrooney and the irascible (and much tinier) 943-year-old gnome Knobby. Mulrooney likes Knobby and his fellow gnomes, but the feeling isn't reciprocal, since Knobby considers Mulrooney a threat to his beloved forest. Meanwhile, the tycoon's vice-president Ralph Yarby (Richard Deacon), hearing his boss' claims that he's been consorting with gnomes, decides that the old guy is insane and has him committed. Rescued by his grandchildren Rodney (Matthew Garber) and Elizabeth (Karen Dotrice), D.J. seeks out Knobby and Knobby's own grandson Jasper (Tom Lowell), who are hiding somewhere in the woods with gnome-king Rufus (Ed Wynn, in his final film role). There follows an amusing rite of passage wherein Jasper becomes engaged to gnomette Shy Violet (Cami Sebring), leading to a happy ending for all concerned. The film's title refers to D. J. Mulroney's precious 1930 Rolls Royce, which is "adopted" by the gnome population. Gnome-Mobile is a virtual inventory of Disney's most beloved trademarks, ranging from excellent miniature and special-effects work (including the producer's newest innovation, audio-animatronics) to a zany slapstick car chase. Walt Disney did receive a producer credit on this film, which was actually made in 1966 - the year of his death - and released nationally in 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Category: Fantasy

Features: ccSpanish subtitles
Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Full-screen (1.33:1)

Gnome-Mobile

Format: DVD

Release Date: 03/02/2004

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DDS Dolby Digital Surround

Runtime: 89 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. Opening Title [4:17]
2. Elizabeth and Rodney [6:19]
3. The Gnome [10:00]
4. Traveling [10:59]
5. Quaxton Steals [10:48]
6. Finding Grandfather [7:58]
7. Breaking Out [5:30]
8. A Chase [6:51]
9. More Gnomes [6:54]
10. Catching Jasper [6:07]
11. Gnome and Wife [6:44]
12. End Credits [1:51]

Craig Butler

The folks at Disney probably spent a pretty decent penny (in 1967 dollars) on The Gnome-Mobile, one of the studio's forays into live-action fantasy, and it shows in the special effects. The miniaturization effects are believable (and come off well, even in comparison with current advanced standards), which is of primary importance in this sort of film. Still, one wishes that more time had been spent on the screenplay itself, especially in terms of character development. As it is, the characters are pretty much a matter of "what you see is what you get," and while that may not bother the little ones (children, not gnomes), it does make the movie a bit dull for adults. The script is also a bit unfocused and contains numerous "cutesy" segments (such as the lengthy car chase or the rescue of Mulrooney) that are typical of Disney in that period, but can be a bit annoying. Fortunately, the cast is quite good, with Walter Brennan appropriately avuncular, Karen Dotrice professional without being slick, and Matthew Garber given more to do than in most of his roles. The title song is catchy -- perhaps too much so -- and the car itself really is a dream. A modest and enjoyable effort, Gnome-Mobile is not one of those children's films that bears repeated viewing. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Judy Van Wormer  Actor 
Amedee Chabot  Actor 
Marianna Case  Actor 
Carol Merrill  Actor 
Virginia Aldridge  Actor 
Carla Borelli  Actor 
Susan Henning  Actor 
Cami Serbing  Actor 
Jack Davis  Actor 
James Algar  Producer 
Buddy Baker  Composer (Music Score) 
Walt Disney  Producer 
Ellis Kadison  Screenwriter 
Robert Stevenson  Director 
Arthur J. Vitarelli  Director 
Walter Brennan  Actor 
Tom Lowell  Actor 
Matthew Garber  Actor 
Karen Dotrice  Actor 
Ed Wynn  Actor 
Richard Deacon  Actor 
Sean McClory  Actor 
Jerome Cowan  Actor 
Charles Lane  Actor 
Norman Grabowski  Actor 
Gil Lamb  Actor 
Maudie Prickett  Actor 
Ellen Corby  Actor 
Frank Cady  Actor 
Hal Baylor  Actor 
Karl Held  Actor 
Charles B. Smith  Actor 
Byron Foulger  Actor 
Susan Flannery  Actor 
Ernestine Barrier  Actor 
Dee Carroll  Actor 
William Fawcett  Actor 
Robert S. Carson  Actor 
John Cliff  Actor 
Mickey Martin  Actor 
Alvy Moore  Actor 
Dale Van Sickel  Actor 
Parley Baer  Actor 
Jimmy Murphy  Actor 
Jesslyn Fax  Actor 

Country: USA