The film: The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)

Why you should see it: Quirky but funny, dumpling finds three typically unhappy orphans foisted on equally unwilling bachelor Russell Donovan (Bill Bixby).

What follows is a tale of earthquakes, gold nuggets and two crazy outlaws (played by Tim Conway and Don Knotts) who agree to take “charge” of the found bounty. Unfortunately for them, it’s locked in the local bank vault.

Cue a heist!

Where are they now? Bill Bixby went on to more acclaim (and more ripped shirts) playing the Bruce Banner side of the Hulk in the TV show. He died in 1993.

Don Knotts forged a successful comedy career on film and TV, including a load of voice-over work. The straight-to-DVD film Air Buddies, in which his vocals appear, is dedicated to his loving memory. So that’s nice.

How it could be remade: This one needs the subtle, yet offbeat touch of filmmakers like… The Coens.

We can see it now... Re-envisioned in the style of O Brother, Where Art Thou, it’s blended with Ocean’s Eleven as soon as the brothers can dig up incriminating evidence that ensures George Clooney stars in the Don Knotts role.

And Dwayne Johnson. As one of the orphans.