Watch The Gnome-Mobile

The Gnome-Mobile is a 1967 family adventure film directed by Robert Stevenson, starring Walter Brennan, Matthew Garber, and Karen Dotrice. The story is based on a novel of the same name, written by Upton Sinclair. The movie opens with a wealthy lumberman named D.J. Mulrooney (played by Walter Brennan) and his granddaughter, Elizabeth (Karen Dotrice), driving through the forest in their vintage car. While on their way to one of Mulrooney's logging sites, they hit a tree stump, and Elizabeth discovers that the stump is actually a gnome's house. Mulrooney is skeptical of her claims until he sees the gnomes for himself.

Mulrooney is amazed by the gnomes and decides to capture them to take them back to his mansion. The gnomes, led by Knobby (voiced by Paul Frees), escape from Mulrooney's grasp and flee into the forest. Elizabeth, who has befriended the gnomes, is concerned for their safety and decides to help them. She enlists the help of her friend, Rodney (Matthew Garber), and they set out to find the gnomes.

The rest of the movie follows the group's adventures as they search for the gnomes and try to avoid detection by Mulrooney and his team of lumberjacks. Along the way, they encounter a host of other magical creatures such as unicorns, centaurs, and talking trees. The group even has to fend off a group of hunters who mistake them for wild animals.

As they continue their search, Elizabeth becomes increasingly invested in the plight of the gnomes and comes to realize the importance of preserving the forest and its inhabitants. Mulrooney, meanwhile, becomes more obsessed with capturing the gnomes and is willing to go to great lengths to get them.

The Gnome-Mobile is a delightful family film that combines elements of adventure, fantasy, and environmentalism. The movie has a timeless quality to it that makes it enjoyable for viewers of all ages. The lead actors, Walter Brennan, Matthew Garber, and Karen Dotrice, are all excellent in their respective roles, and they have a great on-screen chemistry that brings the story to life.

One of the film's standout features is the special effects, which were groundbreaking for their time. The movie uses a mix of practical effects and animation to create the magical creatures and landscapes, and the result is truly impressive. The scenes with the gnomes, in particular, are a marvel to watch, and Knobby's voice and movements are both endearing and amusing.

Another notable aspect of the movie is its message about conservation and the importance of protecting the environment. The film was released during a time when environmentalism was becoming a mainstream issue, and The Gnome-Mobile was one of the first films to address the topic in a way that was accessible to children. The movie doesn't hit the audience over the head with its message, but it still manages to convey it effectively and in a way that's easy for kids to understand.

Overall, The Gnome-Mobile is a charming and entertaining film that's well worth watching. It's a movie that's sure to bring back fond memories for those who saw it as children, and it's a great way to introduce a new generation to the story of the plucky little gnomes who refuse to be captured.

The Gnome-Mobile is a 1967 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.