Certainly the neighbors of Billy Mumy and his pet racoon, Rascal, have every right to complain when the somewhat tame varmit keeps causing destruction, in their gardens, kitchen, store and on the street. Teenaged Mumy is spending the summer alone while his insurance salesman father Steve Forrest is on the road. His teacher (Bettye Ackerman) is far too interested with what Mumy is doing, or maybe it's setting her nuts on his widowed father.
Before Forrest hits the road, the free spirited, nature loving dad agrees to let Mumy take in the accidentally abandoned racoon but problems are forthcoming as Forrest discovers on his visits home. Some neighbors (Henry Jones) like Rascal while another (John Feidler) is aghast to find him eating his corn. Ackerman gets new reverend Jonathan Daly further involved in her interference, and although she's quite lovely, she's certainly a nosy Rosie. As much as I like Walter Pidgeon, they could easily have cut out the narration and just let the story tell itself.
I enjoyed this lighthearted Disney comedy for its innocence, but it's forced and also a bit out of touch. There's some very funny moments (the destruction of the general store an excellent bit of farce), but unnecessary elements pop in that had me annoyed. The country setting (complete with a beautiful old covered bridge) is excellent, and kids will love seeing someone near their age having fun with a pet not wise to have themselves. Rascal certainly is trained well, but kiddos, do not try that at home.
Before Forrest hits the road, the free spirited, nature loving dad agrees to let Mumy take in the accidentally abandoned racoon but problems are forthcoming as Forrest discovers on his visits home. Some neighbors (Henry Jones) like Rascal while another (John Feidler) is aghast to find him eating his corn. Ackerman gets new reverend Jonathan Daly further involved in her interference, and although she's quite lovely, she's certainly a nosy Rosie. As much as I like Walter Pidgeon, they could easily have cut out the narration and just let the story tell itself.
I enjoyed this lighthearted Disney comedy for its innocence, but it's forced and also a bit out of touch. There's some very funny moments (the destruction of the general store an excellent bit of farce), but unnecessary elements pop in that had me annoyed. The country setting (complete with a beautiful old covered bridge) is excellent, and kids will love seeing someone near their age having fun with a pet not wise to have themselves. Rascal certainly is trained well, but kiddos, do not try that at home.