The Gnome-Mobile (1967)

61% of users liked it
(3,249 ratings)

The Gnome-Mobile was Walt Disney's first all-out fantasy since Mary Poppins. Walter Brennan stars in a dual role, as kindly lumber tycoon D. J. Mulrooney and the irascible (and much tinier) 943-year-old gnome Knobby. Mulrooney likes Knobby and his fellow gnomes, but the feeling isn't reciprocal,… More The Gnome-Mobile was Walt Disney's first all-out fantasy since Mary Poppins. Walter Brennan stars in a dual role, as kindly lumber tycoon D. J. Mulrooney and the irascible (and much tinier) 943-year-old gnome Knobby. Mulrooney likes Knobby and his fellow gnomes, but the feeling isn't reciprocal, since Knobby considers Mulrooney a threat to his beloved forest. Meanwhile, the tycoon's vice-president Ralph Yarby (Richard Deacon), hearing his boss' claims that he's been consorting with gnomes, decides that the old guy is insane and has him committed. Rescued by his grandchildren Rodney (Matthew Garber) and Elizabeth (Karen Dotrice), D.J. seeks out Knobby and Knobby's own grandson Jasper (Tom Lowell), who are hiding somewhere in the woods with gnome-king Rufus (Ed Wynn, in his final film role). There follows an amusing rite of passage wherein Jasper becomes engaged to gnomette Shy Violet (Cami Sebring), leading to a happy ending for all concerned. The film's title refers to D. J. Mulroney's precious 1930 Rolls Royce, which is "adopted" by the gnome population. Gnome-Mobile is a virtual inventory of Disney's most beloved trademarks, ranging from excellent miniature and special-effects work (including the producer's newest innovation, audio-animatronics) to a zany slapstick car chase. Walt Disney did receive a producer credit on this film, which was actually made in 1966 - the year of his death - and released nationally in 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Robert Stevenson
Written By: Ellis Kadison
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jul 19, 1967 Wide
On DVD: Mar 2, 2004

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Lafe F

Gnome effects = lots of optically-reduced people, but it wasn't cute and charming enough, and the songs somehow weren't catchy enough. This movie never grabbed my attention in ways that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Darby O'Gill, Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks… More
Gnome effects = lots of optically-reduced people, but it wasn't cute and charming enough, and the songs somehow weren't catchy enough. This movie never grabbed my attention in ways that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Darby O'Gill, Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks did.

Cast

            Walter Brennan as D.J. Mulrooney/Knobby

            Tom Lowell as Jasper

            Matthew Garber as Rodney Winthrop

            Karen Dotrice as Elizabeth Winthrop

            Ed Wynn as Rufus

            Richard Deacon as Ralph Yarby

            Sean McClory as Horatio Quaxton

            Jerome Cowan as Dr. Conrad Ramsey

            Charles Lane as Dr. Scroggins

            Norman Grabowski as Male Nurse No. I

            Gil Lamb as Gas Station Attendant

            Maudie Prickett as Katie Barrett

            Ellen Corby as Etta Pettibone

            Frank Cady as Charlie Pettibone

            Hal Baylor as Male Nurse No. 2

            Karl Held as Paul

            Charles Smith as Airport Attendant

            Byron Foulger as Hotel Clerk

            Susan Flannery as Airline Stewardess

            Ernestine Barrier as Nell

            Dee Carroll as Second Secretary

            William Fawcett as Chauffeur

            Robert S. Carson as Twin Oaks Attendant

            John Cliff as Night Watchman

            Mickey Martin as Bellboy

            Alvy Moore as Gas Station Mechanic

            Dale Van Sickel as Uniformed Guard

            Parley Baer as Owl

            Jimmy Murphy as Raccoon

            Jesslyn Fax as Voice of Bluejays

            Carla Borelli
            
            Amedee Chabot
            
            Susan Henning
            
            Carol Merrill
            
            Cami Serbing as Violet

            Virginia Aldridge as Gnome Maidens

            Judy Van Wormer
            
            Marianna Case
            
            Jack Davis as Manson
See full cast