Enter the Dumpling

The Apple Dumpling Gang is a 1975 American comedy-Western film directed by Norman Tokar. It follows a slick gambler named Russell Donovan (Bill Bixby) who is duped into taking care of three orphans who eventually strike gold. It was produced by Walt Disney Productions. The film is based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Jack M. Bickham. Don Tait wrote the screenplay. The so-called "Apple Dumpling Gang" are named after their favorite American dessert treat, the apple dumpling. The film is also known as being the first to feature the comedy duo of Don Knotts and Tim Conway; they would go on to make five other films together, including 1979's The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. Buddy Baker composed the music for the film and its sequel, with Joseph Dubin creating the orchestration. The song "The Apple Dumpling Gang", as heard in the opening and closing credits, was written by Shane Tatum and was performed by Randy Sparks and the Back Porch Majority.