The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

The Family That Plays Together, Stays Together

The Bower Family Band petitions the Democratic National Committee to sing a Grover Cleveland rally song at the 1888 convention, but decide instead to move to the Dakota territory on the urging of a suitor to their eldest daughter. There, Grampa Bower causes trouble with his pro-Cleveland ideas, as Dakota residents are overwhelmingly Republican, and hope to get the territory admitted as two states (North and South Dakota) rather than one in order to send four Republican senators to Washington. Cleveland opposed this plan, refusing to refer to Congress the plan to organize the Dakotas this way. When Cleveland wins the popular vote, but Harrison the presidency due to the electoral college votes, the Dakotans (particularly the feuding young couple) resolve to live together in peace, and Cleveland grants statehood to the two Dakotas before he leaves office (along with two Democrat-voting states, evening the gains for both parties).

Walter Brennan

(Grandpa Bower)

Buddy Ebsen

(Calvin Bower)

Lesley Ann Warren

(Alice Bower)

John Davidson

(Joe Carder)

Janet Blair

(Katie Bower)

Kurt Russell

(Sidney Bower)

Bobby Riha

(Mayo Bower)

Jon Walmsley

(Quinn Bower)

Smith Wordes

(Nettie Bower)

Heidi Rook

(Rose Bower)

Debbie Smith

(Lulu Bower)

Pamelyn Ferdin

(Laura Bower)

Wally Cox

(Mr. Wampler)

Richard Deacon

(Charlie Wrenn)

Steve Harmon

(Ernie Stubbins)

Goldie Hawn

(Giggly Girl)

John Craig

(Frank)

Jonathan Kidd

(Telegrapher)

Julie Allred

(Blonde Girl (uncredited))

Don Ames

(Townsman (uncredited))

Jimmy Bates

(Square Dance Blonde Dancer (uncredited))

Larry J. Blake

(First Outspoken Man (uncredited))

Buddy Bryan

(Man at Republican Meeting (uncredited))

Bill Coontz

(Townsman (uncredited))

Ben Frommer

(Townsman (uncredited))

Rudy Germane

(Townsman (uncredited))

Hank Jones

(Town Delivery Boy (uncredited))

Richard LaMarr

(Townsman (uncredited))

Tex Lambert

(Townsman (uncredited))

Kenneth MacDonald

(Townsman (uncredited))

Bert May

(Dancer (uncredited))

Philo McCullough

(Townsman (uncredited))

Charles McQuary

(Dakota Townsman (uncredited))

Norman Palmer

(Townsman (uncredited))

Butch Patrick

(Johnny (uncredited))

Peter Renaday

(Dakota Townsman (uncredited))

Stephen Roberts

(Second Outspoken Man (uncredited))

John Roy

(Townsman (uncredited))

Andrea Sacino

(Edna (uncredited))

Cosmo Sardo

(Townsman (uncredited))

Jack Tornek

(Townsman (uncredited))

Jerry Trent

(Dancer (uncredited))

Marc Winters

(School Kid (uncredited))

William Woodson

(Henry White (uncredited))