Beginning in 1975, Knotts was teamed with Tim Conway in a series of slapstick films aimed at children, including the Disney film "The Apple Dumpling Gang" (1975) and its sequel, "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again" (1979). They also did two independent films, the boxing comedy "The Prize Fighter" (1979), and the mystery-comedy "The Private Eyes" (1980). Knotts co-starred in several other Disney films, including "Gus" (1976), "No Deposit, No Return" (1976), "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo" (1977) and "Hot Lead and Cold Feet" (1978).