Too many fans seem to be blown away

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

One of Walt Disney's best feature films from the Sixties, Follow Me Boys is a two hour tribute to the Boy Scouts and to one man's dedication to them. And the odd thing is that Fred MacMurray got into Scouting for the most basic of all human reasons.Fred MacMurray arrives at this whistle stop of a Midwest town while with a traveling band in the Roaring Twenties. He's frustrated both trying to study law and play the saxophone for Ken Murray's band. On an impulse he's so taken with the town that he makes a decision right there to stay. He sees a help wanted sign in the window of Charlie Ruggles general store and Ruggles hires him right there. And of course there's the sight of Vera Miles working at the bank across the street that really makes him want to stay.In fact at a town meeting MacMurray suggests that a Scout Troop be formed as an activity for the kids. When Elliott Reid who is Miles's boss at the bank and MacMurray's rival demurs saying he doesn't have the time to be a Scoutmaster, MacMurray moves right on in, mainly to make an impression with Miles.After that the Scouts become his life and MacMurray like George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life becomes the leading citizen of that town. He's the moulder of the youth and biggest influence on their character. And in one case he and Miles become foster parents to Kurt Russell and save him from what would have been a dissolute life.There's a little bit of Boys Town in this film because there aren't any really bad boys here as Father Flanagan opined. But the main influence on this film adapted from a MacKinley Kantor story is Goodbye Mr. Chips. MacMurray does everything, but teach school for them.Best scenes are when the kids are trapped in some army war games and through Boy Scout ingenuity come through it just fine.Follow Me Boys gives Fred MacMurray one of his best roles in a Disney feature and it holds up well for today's audience.

FOLLOW ME, BOYS! (1966)Producer: Walt Disney.Director: Norman Tokar.Cast: Fred MacMurray, Vera Miles, Kurt Russell, Lillian Gish, Sean McClory, Charles Ruggles.I initially watched FOLLOW ME, BOYS! out of a sense of duty, as an adult admirer of the art of Walt Disney. I had been anything but a Boy Scout and expected the film to be syrupy and nauseating, but was surprised to find it to be a solid drama as well as one of Uncle Walt's warmest and most genuinely sentimental works. It is now among my personal favorite "live-action" Disney films.The story is engrossing, the characters rich, and the whole is beautifully acted, written and directed. Fred MacMurray is in his element here, giving one of his best and most moving performances, with an exceptional cast in strong support. Especially impressive is the very young Kurt Russell in his first leading role.FOLLOW ME, BOYS! shares much of the quality and entertainment value of such realistic Walt Disney classics as OLD YELLER, POLLYANNA and THOSE CALLOWAYS, along with their compelling spirit of genuine goodness and positive idealism. Perhaps more than any other of his films, it reflects in form and content Disney's admiration for the work of Frank Capra.The film is one of the most polished of Walt Disney's latter-day productions and was the last released during his lifetime; happily, he died knowing that it was a success.Rating: EXCELLENT.

This is one if not the best story of non animation, and brings out the truth and love around a neighborhood in which we had in the world more. Especially with violence and hateful things that happen in this world. Helping others to accept others, and take others in and build characters, as well as communities. Giving others a chance to build ones ideals and life around others. With morals like the ones shown in this movie, give me a look back on life as I knew it in the early 1950's. One in which Kurt Russell and other youth learning to know each other, and strengthen others in the ways that one is wanted if they are living a great and wonderful world to enjoy a childhood. Please remember the title as not just for boys, but, is for all ages, to come.

For it's day and age (and our age as well) this is a truly fine film.It's full of the good things many of us remember with an interesting story line and well done acting. This is a movie that I can watch every few months when I want to see a movie about a simpler time and feel great by the end.Fred MacMurray has been in many very good movies but this one, and "The Nutty Professor", could be his best. His personality seems to fit the part of Lam Siddons perfectly.I'm certainly glad this has been released on DVD so we can enjoy the movie like it was originally.I love the characters and the values the movie portrays. I put this in my small group of classics that deserve 10's.The Generic CriticP.S. I just thought someone should have punched "Ralph" in the nose.