Video Rewind is a review of an avant-garde, cultish, or otherwise odd film that has a small or large following. That means, by its fans, it can be watched over and over with greater enjoyment. We will feature films that can be accessed either via Netflix, OnDemand, or other sites such as YouTube or Hulu.

”The Great Brain,” 1978, color, directed by Sidney Levin, Osmond production company, About 95 minutes. Starring Jimmy Osmond as Tom D. Fitzgerald, Fran Ryan as Aunt Bertha, Cliff Osmond, Pat Delaney. Schlock-meter rating: 5.5 out of 10.

This isn’t a great movie, by any stretch. The acting is hammy, and a very young Jimmy Osmond is frankly, too inexperienced, in my opinion, to play The Great Brain. But if you like the John D. Fitzgerald novels, you’ll find the film a treat.

I’m glad it’s out and that I taped it in the early 1980s. It’s a definite G and post-toddler kids will like it. However, those adults unfamiliar with the Great Brain character may get bored at the overly sentimental pace of the story.

On the plus side, the sets of early, rural Utah are pretty well done and the cast, if inexperienced, is at least earnest. Also, this is a rare film that is almost completely faithful to a book. Fans of “The Great Brain” will enjoy seeing what they read faithfully adapted to the screen. Examples include The Great Brain, Tom D. Fitzgerald, having adventures with a Greek immigrant family, his fights with friends, his scheming with brothers, including narrator John D. Fitzgerald, and his change of heart when he helps a young crippled boy.

This is was once an almost impossible film to locate. It never runs on TV, it seems, and has never been released to video or DVD. Rumor has it the film is locked in litigation. That’s a shame if true, because it seems ideal for a new production or a re-release via DVD to at least the Utah/Mormon market. Still, in recent years it has popped up on You Tube, and you can watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yms-rrQB5KE. My guess is that the copyright finally expired? The YouTube film was posted by the founder of the website on author John D. Fitzgerald, www.findingfitzgerald.com.

Fitzgerald’s tales are still much loved and I hope someday an enterprising filmmaker produces a new version(s) of The Great Brain movies.

Portions of this review have appeared at Plan9Crunch blog and imdb.com.