the film fared no better among most other major critics. "variety" described it as "an overly-contrived feature which soon forgets its promise and premise and turns instead to a political mishmash of events which has little novelty." charles champlin of "the los angeles times" wrote that the film "is, i am afraid, the worst disney movie in a long time." according to champlin, there were some "pleasant, chirpy tunes," but they "can't overcome the lack of any real dramatic conflict, even at the level appropriate to musical comedy, nor the lack of an interesting central character." clifford terry of the "chicago tribune" called it "another walt disney studio production that isn't designed to appease squirmy family audiences, since it is filled with a flurry of limpid songs, brennan's tiresome tirades, and the warren - davidson 'mush.'" edgar j. driscoll jr. of "the boston globe" said the film "flats like a tubeless tuba — if there is such a thing. not that the kids won't enjoy it. they will. but for adults the sasparilla may go down the wrong way. certainly it's no runner-up to 'mary poppins' or 'the sound of music.' not by a long shot, though the pitch is definitely aimed that-a-way."