About The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
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).
Full Cast of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
Walter Brennan
plays Grandpa Bower
Buddy Ebsen
plays Calvin Bower
Lesley Ann Warren
plays Alice Bower
John Davidson
plays Joe Carder
Janet Blair
plays Katie Bower
Kurt Russell
plays Sidney Bower
Bobby Riha
plays Mayo Bower
Jon Walmsley
plays Quinn Bower
Smith Wordes
plays Nettie Bower
Heidi Rook
plays Rose Bower
Debbie Smith
plays Lulu Bower
Pamelyn Ferdin
plays Laura Bower
Wally Cox
plays Mr. Wampler
Richard Deacon
plays Charlie Wrenn
Steve Harmon
plays Ernie Stubbins
Goldie Hawn
plays Giggly Girl
Jonathan Kidd
plays Telegrapher
Julie Allred
plays Blonde Girl (uncredited)
Don Ames
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Jimmy Bates
plays Square Dance Blonde Dancer (uncredited)
Larry J. Blake
plays First Outspoken Man (uncredited)
Buddy Bryan
plays Man at Republican Meeting (uncredited)
Bill Coontz
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Ben Frommer
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Rudy Germane
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Hank Jones
plays Town Delivery Boy (uncredited)
Richard LaMarr
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Tex Lambert
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Kenneth MacDonald
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Bert May
plays Dancer (uncredited)
Philo McCullough
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Charles McQuary
plays Dakota Townsman (uncredited)
Norman Palmer
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Butch Patrick
plays Johnny (uncredited)
Peter Renaday
plays Dakota Townsman (uncredited)
Stephen Roberts
plays Second Outspoken Man (uncredited)
John Roy
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Andrea Sacino
plays Edna (uncredited)
Cosmo Sardo
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Jack Tornek
plays Townsman (uncredited)
Jerry Trent
plays Dancer (uncredited)
Marc Winters
plays School Kid (uncredited)
William Woodson
plays Henry White (uncredited)
Crew of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band