Movie Cosmos - Follow Me, Boys!

Description:

Lem Siddons is part of a traveling band who has a dream of becoming a lawyer. Deciding to settle down, he finds a job as a stockboy in the general store of a small town. Trying to fit in, he volunteers to become scoutmaster of the newly formed Troop 1. Becoming more and more involved with the scout troop, he finds his plans to become a lawyer being put on the back burner, until he realizes that his life has been fulfilled helping the youth of the small town.

Top Cast >

Fred MacMurray

As Lemuel Siddons

Vera Miles

As Vida Downey

Lillian Gish

As Hetty Seibert

Charles Ruggles

As John Everett Hughes

Elliott Reid

As Ralph Hastings

Kurt Russell

As Whitey

Luana Patten

As Nora White

Ken Murray

As Melody Murphy

Donald May

As Edward White, Jr.

Sean McClory

As Edward White, Sr.

Steve Franken

As P.O.W. Lieutenant

Parley Baer

As Mayor

William Reynolds

As Hoodoo Henderson - Man

Willis Bouchey

As Judge (uncredited)

Duane Chase

As Joe (uncredited)

Adam Williams

As Sergeant (uncredited)

Robert B. Williams

As Artie (uncredited)

Dean Moray

As Hoodoo Henderson (uncredited)

Tim McIntire

As Corporal (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Norman Tokar

Director

Reviews:

r96sk (7/10)

Almost great.

The first 70-90 minutes of 'Follow Me, Boys!' is excellent, it's serious yet amusing. I felt connected to the characters and their storyline. Unfortunately, the film then adds on a pointless if solid extra 40-60 minutes. It kinda feels like one of those TV episodes into one film things, which is annoying as it doesn't need to do it.

Fred MacMurray is terrific as Lem, especially across that opening period. It's heartwarming seeing his character help out a community of kids, particularly one - Whitey, who is played impressively by Kurt Russell. All of the other child actors, while not massively memorable, are fine and you really feel for their overall story.

The final portion of this film really hampers it though. It isn't actually anything bad and if it had been a sequel I reckon I would've liked it, but as a continuation/add-on to the earlier premise it doesn't hit the same heartfelt notes at all. So that's disappointing, but it's still just about a good film.

2020-07-28