Part of that sub genre which could be classified as nostalgic, coming of age Americana set around the end of the 19th century and beginning of 20th - there's lots of growing up in small towns, colourful characters, picnics, small children. It's the world of Ah Wilderness, Andy Hardy and Booth Tarkington - Orson Welles was obsessed with it for a time.
This is based on some novel about a little who who remembers growing up in a small town, with her basically useless drunken father - who however dotes on his girl and buys her a circus. How much you like this will depend on how charming you find Jackie Gleason. I was never a big fan - his character is a bit of an idiot, though not as annoying as the girl who whinges about wanting a pony (hence circus purchase).
Glynis Johns - who seemed to get stuck in "wife role" in the 60s - does not save the day as Gleason's long suffering wife. I couldn't care about any of the characters - not Johns "loveable" politician father who doesn't want women to vote, or Gleason's hot other daughter who wants to date guys.
There is some colourful production design, costumes and wacky adventures. Occasionally the characters hum a little tune and you wonder if this wouldn't work better at a musical. They've tried to turn it into a Disney picture without the Disney atmosphere. But, like I said, if you enjoy Gleason you might get something out of it.
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