The Barefoot Executive

G

1971

1h 36m

Kids & Family

Comedy

List

83%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Enthusiastic mailroom clerk Steven Post (Kurt Russell) hassles the uppity director of programming, Francis Wilbanks (Joe Flynn), on a daily basis with his ideas on how to salvage the ratings of their faltering television studio, but he's always shot down. Steven's girlfriend, Jennifer Scott (Heather North), is caring for a recently abandoned television-watching, beer-swilling chimpanzee named Raffles, and when Steven realizes that the chimp can predict television ratings, he hatches a new plan.

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steve d

Only fun is from seeing young Russell.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An executive is always never a bad idea even if he is barefoot. Or in this case differs from our DNA by 3%. Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista present a young Kurt Russell is a mailroom clerk with Raffles the chimp. Steven Post is always making suggestions to boots the ratings at a failing tv station but they are always ignored. His girlfriend Jennifer is taking care of an out-of-work chimpanzee. Both seem to be at rock bottom. But Steven discovers something remarkable; this chimp can actually predict TV ratings. So he may have something on the table to save the business. This is one of the many live-action Disney entries that puts together animal-buddy antics with family friendliness. But how long can Steven keep up the ruse making it to the top of the charts? Russell is so likable, I really like his girlfriend being so understanding, and this plot is funny. Even a young John Ritter here plays a disgustingly enjoyable tv executive. Plus this also serves as a funny satire of television, it's hard to know what people like watching these days. As soon as something comes on they cancel it. It's tough too to know what program will do better in the ratings and appeal to mass audiences. But even a chimp can predict our tastes. Maybe we can even make better decisions and not rely on corporate greed. This is a very good Disney live action flick that's giggle worthy and that's adorable to have a cute furry star at its center.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

r 9

A film that deteriorates as it goes on. 'The Barefoot Executive' begins in entertaining fashion, as it sets up the plot with Steven (Kurt Russell) and chimp Raffles. It's all enjoyable enough, it's a cool and amusing concept. The first act is good. However, after a middling middle act it then produces a relatively terrible third act - with unnecessary focus put on the characters of Joe Flynn (Francis) and Wally Cox (Mertons). They definitely didn't know how to end this, the final lot of scenes are so pointless and predictable. That's a shame, as the opening chunk of the film is more than up to scratch. Russell gives another acceptable performance, Flynn is actually pretty solid when his character isn't shoehorned upfront. Heather North is alright as Jennifer, if a little plain. The chimp is as cute as you'd expect. It looked like a film that I would thoroughly like at first, sadly it got comparatively worse as it went on. I would still say it's better than a lot of other works from Disney, it just could've/should've been greater.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great premise - which I'm tempted to believe is based on real events. A great supporting cast which wasn't used to potential.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

(First and only viewing - Summer 2009)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A chimp and Kurt Russell in this underwhelming fairly typical 70s Disney film.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Robert Butler

Director

Kurt Russell

Steven Post

Joe Flynn

Francis X. Wilbanks

Wally Cox

Mertons

Harry Morgan

E.J. Crampton

Heather North

Jennifer Scott

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

In this genial but strained and arch frolic, the one real joke is not only "in" but it wears thin and even frantic.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 9, 2005

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 3/5

Aug 15, 2004

Full Review

TV Guide

This is a very funny satire of television.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 1, 2012

Full Review

Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

A trenchant satire on corporate greed . . . oh, not really. Funny, silly chimp movie.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 23, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Dec 18, 2004

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Rated: 3/5

Nov 15, 2003

Full Review

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Synopsis

Enthusiastic mailroom clerk Steven Post (Kurt Russell) hassles the uppity director of programming, Francis Wilbanks (Joe Flynn), on a daily basis with his ideas on how to salvage the ratings of their faltering television studio, but he's always shot down. Steven's girlfriend, Jennifer Scott (Heather North), is caring for a recently abandoned television-watching, beer-swilling chimpanzee named Raffles, and when Steven realizes that the chimp can predict television ratings, he hatches a new plan.

Director: Robert Butler
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 36m

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