The Barefoot Executive ’71

Overall I can say I liked this movie right away. It fits what I would consider crap disney with no animation and cringe retro.
49 year old movie I cant believe it. As a ambassador from nearly fifty years I think it stands up well.
Last Disney movie I saw at xmas was the Rise of the Skywalker. If this movie came on when I was 12 in ’97 Id be disappointed 100%. Right now as adult I found it charming and good humored.
It was funny. I didn’t even know this movie existed.. This movie 14 years prior my existence.
A young Kurt Russell, hes only a character in the movie (1/3) and he plays a funny character. Right away (Jack Post) he’s arguing with the monkey.. Classic.
They’re bickering about the TV channels. From there comes the a really unique premise for a film. If you know you know.
TV is a big deal back then. Jacks girlfriend. Shes the Chimpanzees caretaker. That scene where they’re having dinner at (her) apartment.
So funny. Jack is like a rock em sock em character and he has to share the room with the cranky monkey.
Right away they disagree and Jack just tosses him off the couch onto the couch onto this chair.
The monkey, well that pisses him right off and the gentle natured (Jacks girlfriend) has to check in on them because she hears the screaming.
The scene is super funny because Jack and the chimp are so similar and so funny in their behavior.
They keep arguing and again, Jacks gf has to come in the room. Jack is adamant” “well were not watching farm chicken hour for dinner.”
Then he has to compromise for the monkey.
Anyways the gf gets the last work and the monkey gets the last laugh.
Its all done comedy and I know the chimps are trained and smart some pretty monkey scenes in this one.
The girlfriend is very sound of music-ish. Seems very tame and proper and fitting its a disney family movie.
Maybe reminds me of a younger proper mary poppins , american.
Turns out the chimpanzee is a TV expert and can pick Americas favorite shows. With only 3 networks that makes money.
The gf would never agree so he conceives a plan to “switch the monkeys”. If that wasn’t enough Jack needs to keep his plan secret from the real executives in the screening room.
Kurt Russell is pretty much the main character. However there’s a lot of scenes with the actual exaggerated executives.
They catch on to the plot and must have the monkey for themselves! There’s the loud speaking executive from New York that’s always in front of the “sponsors” funny character.
Hes always like : “WHAT !?” *Gasp face ” Get me that monkey!”
Then the other driver and (LA) executive. They’re bumbling fools surrounded by “yes” men. Cause anyone who disagrees gets fired. The executives are funny to me.
That one building scene he must have almost fallen off 10 times. Seems like that scene went on 20 mins too long. Was kinda funny to see em trapped out on the ledge with the silly dialogue. They all get greedy, up to suggesting destroying the monkey. Monkey steals the show. Doing some funny scenes and dressed up like a janitor.
Near the end its like the gf hates Jack because he became a millionaire using the monkey’s trick. Then cashes in selling the monkey to the real execs.
Going after what Jack thought she wanted, actually pushed her away. Jack argues in vain : “Its the discovery that important.”
IT like the goose that lays golden eggs and Jack had to keep it under lock and key.
Mostly she is pissed he sold her monkey for a million bucks. For their wedding duh.
There’s actually a scene when the chimp is seemingly more friends with the film projectionist, after Kurt dumps him off like a sack of potatoes.
He really mastered that role young.
I think the purpose to show Jacks been blinded by money and ego and lost touch with the things that were important to him.
His apartment suite gets upgraded is also interesting to see, what someone migth consider “fancy” at the time.

Movie was short and had some good laughs If i had to watch it again it wouldn’t be a problem.
Cool to see that Honda motorcycle and some other styles of the times. No cell phones that’s for sure. Only high-tech rotary contraptions.
Guess I didn’t realize Kurt had acted so long.Starting as the network mail delivery, turned Snake Pliskin, turned Pilot.
I doubt in 2020+ to see motorcycle acting without helmet anymore not in a disney movie thats forsure.
Maybe some other actor I remember from disney fame but cant be sure. Probably take a look online.
Yeh finally just into the entertainment aspect of it, and what stuck with me most moments after watching.
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Jack is from ‘Big Trouble’,Steve Post is from ‘Executive’.

Author: clayton

Clayton L. CD 85