Biscuit Eater

Lonnie (Johnny Whitaker) has a dog he wants to train as a bird-dog, but his father Harve (Earl Holliman) thinks the dog is not trainable and gives it away. Lonnie teams up with his best friend Text (George Spell) to get the dog back in this straightforward Disney film. They name it Moreover and before long, they've managed to teach it a thing or two--enough to make it a serious challenger to Harve's own dog in a local bird-dog competition. Then a misunderstood joke leads to trouble, and the boys have to choose between loyalty to family and their love for their dog. The Biscuit Eater isn't one of Disney's top films; by contemporary standards it's slow, and the emphasis on hunting birds may upset young viewers. However, others may find its tale of determination and racial harmony appealing. --Bret Fetzer