The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) The Apple Dumpling Gang is a 1975 American comedy-western film directed by Norman Tokar. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Jack Bickham. Don Tait wrote the screenplay. The so-called "Apple Dumpling Gang" are named after their favorite American dessert treat, the apple dumpling. It is also known as being the first film to feature the comedy duo of Don Knotts and Tim Conway. Knotts and Conway developed different styles of pulling off their comedy; Co