The Apple Dumpling Gang (film)
| The Apple Dumpling Gang | |
|---|---|
1975 theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Norman Tokar |
| Screenplay by | Don Tait |
| Based on | The Apple Dumpling Gang by Jack M. Bickham |
| Produced by | Bill Anderson |
| Starring | Bill Bixby Susan Clark Don Knotts Tim Conway David Wayne Slim Pickens Harry Morgan John McGiver Clay O'Brien Don Knight |
| Cinematography | Frank V. Phillips |
| Edited by | Ray de Leuw |
| Music by | Buddy Baker Joseph Dubin (orchestration) |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $36,853,000 |
The Apple Dumpling Gang is a 1975 American comedy-Western film directed by Norman Tokar. It follows a slick gambler named Russell Donovan (Bill Bixby) who is duped into taking care of three orphans who eventually strike gold. It was produced by Walt Disney Productions.
The film is based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Jack M. Bickham. Don Tait wrote the screenplay. The so-called "Apple Dumpling Gang" are named after their favorite American dessert treat, the apple dumpling. It is also known as being the first film to feature the comedy duo of Don Knotts and Tim Conway. Buddy Baker composed the music for the film and its sequel, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, with Joseph Dubin performing the orchestration. The song "The Apple Dumpling Gang", as heard in the opening and closing credits, was composed by Shane Tatum and was performed by Randy Sparks and the Back Porch Majority.