Having owned an ex-rental VHS of this film, I was amazed it was released on DVD this year...with totally new opening and closing credits and songs all dated on screen as 2005! The film was actually made in 1972 as you can clearly see on the VHS print which was released in the early 1980s. For some reason it is listed as being produced in either 1975 or in some cases as late as 1978. As mentioned the totally new opening credits, while keeping in tune with film, cuts some funny opening bits and begins when Rose Marie enters the workshop. The new songs and music work very well in the DVD release I must admit, even though the VHS print is actually more sharp than the DVD. Spencer Milligan is 'introduced' in this film and Jed Allan plays an early 70s Hippie. Both would appear together, though not share any scenes, in the director's best effort - the 1974 classic 'The Photographer' with a superb performance by Michael Callan. The film probably works better for young audiences, though the grown-ups will be amused by the banter between Paul Winchell and Spencer Milligan. Stu Gilliam over-acts as the Deputy, though Joe Higgins is fine as The Sheriff, Richard Deacon is also in his element. Ron Masak and Cheryl Miller make a likable duo and Buddy Lester chews the scenery and gets to mangle a few of the toys. Rose Marie is fine in her few scenes. One too many chase scenes and visits from the Sheriff become slightly annoying after a while. The film would have been better at around the eighty minute mark. In all not a bad way spend a Saturday afternoon if you are in a nostalgic mood.
Review of The Man from Clover Grove
