The Barefoot Executive (1971)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(1,537 ratings)

At last the secret has been revealed! Prime-time network programming is determined by a chimpanzee! That's the premise of Disney's The Barefoot Executive, a highly amusing spoof of the TV bizz. Kurt Russell plays a page boy at a bottom-rated TV network. Stuck with his girl friend's (Heather North)… More At last the secret has been revealed! Prime-time network programming is determined by a chimpanzee! That's the premise of Disney's The Barefoot Executive, a highly amusing spoof of the TV bizz. Kurt Russell plays a page boy at a bottom-rated TV network. Stuck with his girl friend's (Heather North) pet chimp, Russell discovers that his hairy friend has a genuine gift for picking hit TV series. Appointed head of programming, Russell keeps the fact that the chimp is doing all the work hidden from the public. But when his former boss Joe Flynn and his rival John Ritter find out, all heck breaks loose (we'd say "all hell", but this is a Disney flick). A strong supporting cast of comic "regulars"-Wally Cox, Harry Morgan, Alan Hewitt, Hayden Rorke et al.--keeps The Barefoot Executive moving at a fast clip ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Robert Butler
Written By: Joseph L. McEveety, Lila Garrett, Bernie Kahn
Genres: Television, Kids & Family, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 17, 1971 Wide
On DVD: Apr 12, 2004

Critic Reviews

Howard Thompson, New York Times
In this genial but strained and arch frolic, the one real joke is not only "in" but it wears thin and even frantic.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This is a very funny satire of television.
Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
Classic chimp shenanigans are fun for Disney fans.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
A trenchant satire on corporate greed . . . oh, not really. Funny, silly chimp movie.

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Featured Audience Ratings

James A

Russell finds himself in love with a chimp who is really the ghost of his Grandmother.

Cast

            Kurt Russell as Steven Post

            Joe Flynn as Francis X. Wilbanks

            Harry Morgan as E.J. Crampton

            Wally Cox as Mertons

            Heather North as Jennifer Scott

            John Ritter as Roger

            Iris Adrian as Woman Shopper

            Tom Anfinsen as Dr. Schmidt

            Hal Baylor as Policeman

            Tristram Coffin as Sponsor

            Howard Culver
            
            Bill Daily as Navigator

            Fabian Dean as Jackhammer Man

            Glenn Dixon as Sponsor

            Morgan Farley as Advertising Executive

            Edward Faulkner as Reporter

            James Flavin as Father O'Leary

            Sandra Gould as Mrs. Wilbanks

            Alan Hewitt as Farnsworth

            George N. Neise as Network Executive

            Judson Pratt as Policeman

            Ed Prentiss as Justice Dept.

            Raffles Harman as Himself

            Ed Reimers as Announcer

            Pete L. Renoudet as Policeman

            Hayden Rorke as Clifford

            Robert Shayne as Sponsor

            Anthony Teague as TV Saleman

            Dave Willock as Doorman

            Jack Bender as Tom

            Eve Brent Ashe as Mrs. Crampton

            Vince Howard as Policeman

            J.B. Douglas as Network Executive

            "Smiling" Jack Smith as Clatworthy
See full cast