Gus (1976)

About Gus

Gus is a 1976 American family comedy film directed by Vincent McEveety and produced by Walt Disney Productions. The movie revolves around the story of a mule named Gus and his fantastic talent of kicking a football with fantastic accuracy.

The film unveils the hilarious antics of the California Atoms, a struggling football team, as their owner recruits Gus, an Yugoslavian soccer-playing mule, to their team. With Gus's miraculous goal-kicking skills, the team starts winning game after game, which spurs jealousy and a myriad of funny situations.

Making / Production

Produced by Walt Disney Productions, Gus was directed by Vincent McEveety. The film was a light-hearted comedic representation of football, capitalizing on the popularity of the sport in America during the 70s. The movie was shot in California, lending an authentic feeling to the depiction of the California Atoms football team.

Actors

• Don Knotts as Coach Venner, delivers a hilariously eccentric performance, bringing a unique charm and humor to the movie.
• Edward Asner as Hank Cooper, the desperate owner of the California Atoms, plays his role with a perfect blend of frustration and hope.
• Gary Grimes as Andy Petrovic, brings to life the character of a young Yugoslavian lad, showcasing his acting skills with ease and flair.
• Tim Conway as Crankcase, contributes to several laugh-out-loud moments throughout the film, once again proving his comedic prowess.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• 'Gus' was one of the last films that Disney made under the supervision of Walt Disney's brother Roy O. Disney.
• The mule actor playing Gus was actually a female mule named Maude.
• Most of the football scenes were filmed at the Long Beach Veterans Stadium in California.

Music, Soundtrack

• The charming and light-hearted music of 'Gus' was composed by Robert F. Brunner.
• The movie does not feature a conventional soundtrack but does contain several motifs and jingles pertinent to the comedic theme of the movie.