The Adventures Of Bullwhip Griffin

Time for another live-action film today, and it’s 1967’s titter-inducingly titled The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin.


A comedy/western about the misadventures of a prim-and-proper Bostonian butler who heads to California during the Gold Rush, by far the best thing about this one is star Roddy McDowall. Showing himself to be a truly gifted comedic actor, his performance is a joy to watch, even when he’s doing his usual “Roddy McDowall thing.” The way in which he generously interacts with his co-stars (including young Bryan Russell, a decent child actor) helps to elevate their acting, and smooths out some of the more so-so scripted material.

The plotting of the movie is slightly uneven, as it plays out episodically with a few large chronological gaps during the character’s journey. Each section of the film is punctuated by amusing inter-titles by Disney animator Ward Kimball, reminding one of the intertitles from Monty Python with their clever use of limited animation.

Behold the schnoz

A few other standouts: the big boxing match during the film’s finale surprised me, as the usual "Disney live-action wacky fight scene" went on and so far over the top (including moments where characters were flying through the air, turning different colors, dancing in sped-up motion, etc.) that it became something truly weird to behold. Karl Malden weaves in and out of the narrative as disguise-wearing con artist Judge Higgins, lending some menacing comic-relief to the proceedings. And despite one of those groan-inducing scenes where he dresses like a Chinese coolie and puts on a "Me so solly" voice, I have to admit the man has a mesmerizingly huge nose.

And I have to applaud Suzanne Pleshette as Griffin’s governess-turned-love interest, Arabella Flagg, for bringing a nicely rounded-out spark of independence to what could have been a disappointing “bit o’ tail” role. Ms. Pleshette is more often than not remembered today for her role on The Bob Newhart Show (and the finale of Newhart, OMG!!), but she was a truly talented actress, and it’s great to see her off of the small screen (on, uh, my small screen.) And oh that voice …

No more Japanese food before you go to bed...

More to come soon! And they won't be great!