In July 1956, the five-member Barstow family of Wethersfield, Connecticut, won a free trip to newly-opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in a nationwide contest. This 30-minute amateur documentary film tells the story of their family adventure, filmed on the scene at Walt Disney's "Magic Kingdom."
What makes this such a great documentary is how it really is not a true documentary at all. While for the most part it is the true story of a family who entered a 3M contest to win a trip to Disneyland, the best parts are the ones that happen to be staged. The fake fainting is great, for example. And even the mailman gets in on the act.
1950s American may not be the ideal time we wish it was, but if it ever was magical, that feeling is captured best here. This looks like a truly happy family. And then Steve Martin shows up...
What makes this such a great documentary is how it really is not a true documentary at all. While for the most part it is the true story of a family who entered a 3M contest to win a trip to Disneyland, the best parts are the ones that happen to be staged. The fake fainting is great, for example. And even the mailman gets in on the act.
1950s American may not be the ideal time we wish it was, but if it ever was magical, that feeling is captured best here. This looks like a truly happy family. And then Steve Martin shows up...