Preparing for the Big Snowmobile Race. Image: IMDb
A film we (yours truly) loved as a child was Snowball Express (1972), starring that bankable Disney celebrity, Dean Jones.
In Snowball Express, Jones inherits a Colorado ski resort from a long-lost uncle. He quits his Boring City Job and moves his family Out West to the Colorado mountains – only to discover the “resort” is a derelict building inhabited by raccoons and a grizzled freeloader (Harry Morgan).
We loved this film as a kid. We loved the slapstick and the family’s Saint Bernard and the mayhem. “Walt Disney sure knows how to make a good movie,” we said.
This Expert Opinion of an 11 year old was based on one viewing in the school gymnasium the day before Christmas holidays. We were uncertain why the school would uncharacteristically cancel classes to show us a movie, but everyone agreed this was the Best Decision.
Snowball Express was already an older film by that time, and there were no chairs provided for our viewing comfort – the gymnasium floor Must Not Be Scratched – but Who Cares! We all knew, Deep Down, this event would never be repeated.
We’ve often wondered, in the years since, if our admiration of the film was based on the experience of seeing an actual movie during school hours, combined with the holiday season.
With that in mind, we recently re-watched Snowball Express, and made a surprising discovery.
Now, Snowball Express may be one of your favourites, and we agree there are many admirable things here. For example, it was filmed on location in Colorado, and it hasreal snow, not fake studio snow.
You couldn’t ask for a better cast. Besides Jones and Morgan, who are always Worth It, there is Nancy Olson, who plays Jones’s wife and is a grounding presence in all the madness. Plus, she has a fabulous wardrobe.
Mary Wickes (who never has enough screen time), is superb as a disgruntled bank employee. Her boss, Keenan Wynn, is also delightful as the scheming, greedy banker.
But the script.
Considering there are three screenwriters credited on this film, it is astounding that the plot is so contrived and the dialogue painfully juvenile. (“Shut up, Wally!” is one memorable example.) To be fair, the script is much better in the beginning, before it plunges into Chaos.
Bear with us for a moment. In Poetics, his How-To Guide for the ancient Greek theatre, Aristotle explains how plots should be handled; namely, a probable impossibility is better than an impossible probability. So if the resolution to a desperate situation is an everyday occurrence, but not possible in this instance, it discredits the movie. As ludicrous as it sounds, it’s better to go with a credible miracle.
Snowball Express is full of impossible probabilities, and it grinds you down. You start to wonder why you’re even here in the first place.
However, there is an unexpected benefit to the film, and that is the work of amazing stunt performers.
The best reason to watch Snowball Express, in our opinion, is the dazzling stunt performances, including snowmobile racing and downhill skiing. (Watch a clip of the stunt skiing here.)
Critics at the time were lukewarm about the film, although the “trick skiing” received positive notices. But even the impressive stunt work didn’t improve its performance at the box office. Snowball Express doesn’t appear the list of 100 Top-Grossing Films of 1972, which has, in our opinion, a rather grim selection of movies.
Now that we’ve given you every reason not to see this film, should you give it a go? Young children may enjoy it, and if you have an interest in stunt performers, you should add it to your Must Watch List.
As for yours truly, the re-watch was a disappointment, but it hasn’t diminished a cherished memory of enjoying a feature film in the school gymnasium just before the Holidays.
Snowball Express: starring Dean Jones, Nancy Olson, Harry Morgan. Directed by Norman Tokar. Written by Don Tait, Jim Parker & Arnold Margolin. Walt Disney Productions, 1972, Colour, 93 mins.
I did love it when they trundled out the videoplayer and TV at school. Thanks for sharing this lovely memory Ruth. Never seen this film, but does look like a fun way to spend a school day.
Yeah, some things don’t hold up. For example, I loved the Seinfeld tv series when it was on originally. Never missed an episode. But I’ve seen some in reruns over the last few years, and they don’t seem very funny to me anymore.
Snowball Express is a great wacky festive treat. What the film lacks in the script department it makes up for with some fantastic stunts! Old films we remember from childhood often lose their sparkle when we see them again as adults, but there’s always the magical memories they bring back that are lovely!
True! The stunts are incredible, and I’ll always have that wonderful memory of watching a film in the school gymnasium. Funny the things that stick with you, right?
I grew up watching this one and so it’s still one I appreciate due to the nostalgia factor. I just saw it again recently after many years and still enjoyed it.
Your review was hilarious, Ruth. I’ve never even heard of this movie, and certainly will not be seeking it out now, but I may be reading this write-up again!
One thing that might improve this is the appearance of a snow shark–they missed their opportunity! And there was nothing better than a surprise movie at school:-)
I think alot of films and TV we see as kids are never quite what we remember. I used to love The Fall Guy and The A team , but nope, on revisits, thought Whaaat! X
I loved this movie as a little girl, now I’m starting to think I shouldn’t see it again. But maybe during Christmas Holidays, with the kids, could do anyway…
Silver Screenings 
Haha! “and made a surprising discovery.” There’s much to be said for nostalgia. I’ve had this happen many times. Happy December, my friend. 🎄
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I shouldn’t have been surprised at how terrible this movie is, but I was. So nice to see you online again. I hope all is well.
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Nice to see you, too. It’s been a bit. I’m not fully back online yet but I did want to visit your blog. Hope all is well in your world.
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Everything is good. Went snowshoeing on a beautiful trail today.
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Sounds beautiful! ❄️
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Never heard of this one until today, looks like pure fun silly screwball comedy.
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It is pure screwball, but without the clever lines. However, if you’re in the mood for zaniness, this is your film.
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I did love it when they trundled out the videoplayer and TV at school. Thanks for sharing this lovely memory Ruth. Never seen this film, but does look like a fun way to spend a school day.
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Oh yes, a fabulous way to spend a school day. A once-in-a-lifetime experience in our school division.
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Yeah, some things don’t hold up. For example, I loved the Seinfeld tv series when it was on originally. Never missed an episode. But I’ve seen some in reruns over the last few years, and they don’t seem very funny to me anymore.
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Ah, that’s too bad about Seinfeld. I admit I haven’t seen it for years. Funny how things sometimes turn out that way, isn’t it?
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Snowball Express is a great wacky festive treat. What the film lacks in the script department it makes up for with some fantastic stunts! Old films we remember from childhood often lose their sparkle when we see them again as adults, but there’s always the magical memories they bring back that are lovely!
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True! The stunts are incredible, and I’ll always have that wonderful memory of watching a film in the school gymnasium. Funny the things that stick with you, right?
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I grew up watching this one and so it’s still one I appreciate due to the nostalgia factor. I just saw it again recently after many years and still enjoyed it.
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That is so good, how you’re able to still find the magic you discovered in childhood. The Flintstones are that way for me – they never get old.
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Your review was hilarious, Ruth. I’ve never even heard of this movie, and certainly will not be seeking it out now, but I may be reading this write-up again!
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Thanks, Karen! I was rather crestfallen when I realized the film wasn’t what I remembered, but the stuntwork is so impressive.
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One thing that might improve this is the appearance of a snow shark–they missed their opportunity! And there was nothing better than a surprise movie at school:-)
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Bahaha! A snow shark! That is awesome!
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I think alot of films and TV we see as kids are never quite what we remember. I used to love The Fall Guy and The A team , but nope, on revisits, thought Whaaat! X
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Haha! When I was a kid, I seriously thought I was a pretty good judge of movies. Not so much, as it turns out.
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I loved this movie as a little girl, now I’m starting to think I shouldn’t see it again. But maybe during Christmas Holidays, with the kids, could do anyway…
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You might have a better reaction to it than I did. Plus, watching with kids will make it a lot of fun!
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