The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979) starring Don Knotts, Tim Conway, Harry Morgan

 In The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, Amos and Theodore (Tim Conway and Don Knotts) the two bumbling outlaw wannabees from The Apple Dumpling Gang are back. They are trying to make it on their own. When they arrive at the town they are going to, all sorts of things go awry. They accidentally subdue the town’s legendary lawman, Wooly Bill Hitchcock thus enraging him into tracking them down. They also are accused of bank robbery. And they “enlist” in the army, and burn down the fort. Amid all this, the army is besieged by someone stealing their supplies.

Cast of characters

• Tim Conway (The Carol Burnett Show, McHale’s Navy) … Amos. The dimwitted member of The Apple Dumpling Gang.
• Don Knotts (The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Andy Griffith Show) … Theodore. The dimwitted leader of the gang — who thinks he’s smart.
• Tim Matheson (How to Commit Marriage) … Private Jeff Reed
• Kenneth Mars (The Little Mermaid) … Marshal Woolly Bill Hitchcock
• Elyssa Davalos … Millie Gaskill
• Jack Elam (Kansas City Confidential, Support Your Local Sheriff) … Big Mac
• Robert Pine (Munster Go Home!, Empire of the Ants, CHiPS) … Lt. Jim Ravencroft
• Harry Morgan (M*A*S*H, Dragnet, Holiday Affair) … Major Gaskill
• Ruth Buzzi (Laugh-In, Freaky Friday) … Tough Kate
• Audrey Totter (The Postman Always Rings Twice) … Martha Osten
• Richard X. Slattery (The Boston Strangler, Herbie Rides Again) … Sgt. Slaughter – Head Soldier
• John Crawford (The Poseidon Adventure) … Sherick

Editorial Review of The Apple Dumpling GangAgain, courtesy of Amazon.com

The 1979 sequel to The Apple Dumpling Gang reunites Tim Conway and Don Knotts as thieves with hearts of gold, this time helping out a soldier (Tim Matheson) whose commander (Harry Morgan) is being undermined by a villainous lieutenant. The film is for kids, but the adult-heavy plot takes this movie in a different direction than its predecessor, which focused on three adorable orphans. The slapstick comedy is good, and supporting cast, Morgan, Matheson, Ruth Buzzi and Jack Elam, are enjoyable, but the freshness of the first film is missing. —Tom Keogh