Now here's a film for the capitalist Reagan Eighties. When young Scott Schwartz who is constantly in trouble in school for various schemes to extort money out of them gets in trouble, it's certain he's got the making of a venture capitalist. Schwartz who with his three sisters live on a horse ranch with parents Charles Hallahan and Margaret Blye has noted that there's a byproduct on the ranch that no one is taking advantage of. Which gives him a marvelous idea to go into business after he hears fertilizer manufacturer Clifton James try to holdup country club owner Allan Rich for a bigger price. Kidco becomes the name of their company.
Of course it becomes a big success, but that gets James all mad as the kids of Kidco start taking away his business. And of course James looks to government to solve his problems as Deputy Attorney General Ron Rifkin goes to court.
Rifkin takes the kids to court and hits them with all kinds of violations, sales tax, health code, you name it, Rifkin has a case. Young Mr. Schwartz elects to proceed pro se and at the tender age of 11 does himself Frank Capra proud.
Although Kidco is Capra for the kids, the trial itself and the actions of Judge Benny Baker come straight of Miracle At 34th Street as Judge Baker who is elected gets a few tips about the facts of political life if he rules against the kids who have now become celebrities.
Per the times big government and grownups who take advantage of it are the villains here. Kidco is an amusing enough film for juvenile audiences and I can see it as required viewing in every Republican household with young ones in it.