and embarrassing is the picture this film gives of the American small town as a haven for television-type comedians having themselves a fine time with a routine of rancid clichés." Variety was positive, stating that the film "catches the spirit of rural America in the '30s with moving charm, blending comedy, drama and romance in buildup toward an emotionally charged climax. 'Follow Me, Boys' is Disney at his best in this type of family entertainment." Philip K. Scheuer of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film was "like a movie that might have been made 30 years ago. In thinking, approach, technique and every other way it could pass for a revival of the dear dead days beyond recall, and I sat there unbelieving that this many cliches could not only have been remembered but actually presented as something new." Richard L. Coe of The Washington Post stated, "'Follow Me, Boys' follows the formula, yet you will find it touching and heartening." Clifford Terry of the Chicago Tribune wrote, "Admittedly, there probably are enough chuckles and sniffles to satisfy the most rabid Disney devotees, but stretched out for more than two hours, the film seems almost as long as the 20 years it covers. Decidedly, far more imaginative and amusing products have been fashioned by the talent in Walt's workshop." Versions The film ran 131 minutes originally. In 1976, the film was re-released to theaters in a heavily shortened version running 107 minutes. When the film first came to video in the United States in 1984, it ran 120 minutes. The 2004 DVD release is the complete 131-minute original theatrical cut. See also List of American films of 1966 Lillian Gish filmography References External links DVD review of Follow Me, Boys! New York Times review of Follow Me, Boys! 1966 films Films about the Boy Scouts of America 1966 comedy-drama films Walt Disney Pictures films Films about orphans Films based on American novels Films directed by Norman Tokar Films produced by Walt Disney Films set in the 1930s Films set in the 1940s American comedy-drama films Films scored by George Bruns Films based on works by MacKinlay Kantor 1960s English-language films 1960s American films