Bon Voyage

History and Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland

















Year Released: 1962
Michael's Movie Grade: B+

                                                          History
Naturally with the success the Disney studio was having with live action comedies, due to films like The Shaggy Dog and The Absent Minded Professor, Walt knew that this type of film would become a staple of the studio. However with Bon Voyage the Disney studio decided to try something different. This was a live action Disney comedy, but the humor was not very slapstick based or aimed at kids. This was in fact a Disney comedy that would actually bring up such subjects as loss of virginity and prostitution. While never stated directly this ideas aren't exactly hidden either (conversation about a young girl who had her virtue taken away from her for instance).

This was the second Disney feature directed by James Neilson. His first for the studio was Moon Pilot, which was the Disney theatrical feature right before this. He would later direct Summer Magic, The Moon Spinners and The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin for the studio. The film was written by Bill Walsh, who had previously written the Disney films The Littlest Outlaw, The Shaggy Dog, Toby Tyler and The Absent Minded Professor. He would later write a little film for Disney called Mary Poppins. 

The cast should be very familiar to fans of Disney films from this era. Fred MacMurray had previously been in The Shaggy Dog and The Absent Minded Professor, and would later be in Son of Flubber, Follow Me Boys and The Happiest Millionaire. Tommy Kirk and Kevin "Moochie" Corcoran once again play brothers here as they had in Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog and Swiss Family Robinson. They would again play brothers in Savage Sam. Jane Wyman has her second and last role in a Disney film here (she was in Pollyanna earlier). This is Deborah Walley's second feature film (her first was Gidget Goes Hawaiian), and her first appearance in a Disney film, she later appeared in Summer Magic.

Because the movie takes place there much of the film was filmed in Paris, France. This was the first Disney film filmed there. The scenes aboard a cruise ship were filmed on the S.S. United States, a 990 foot long ship and the first ship built almost entirely out of drydock. This ship (which had it's first trip in 1952) can still be seen in Philadelphia. 

Critics did not like this movie, they felt it was too long and too boring for smaller audiences, while being too simple for older audiences (If they could only see much of what is being made for older audiences now, but I digress). This however did not stop it from doing well at the box office.          

                                                                      

                                                            

                                                            Review

A thoroughly delightful comedy-drama and an excellent film.

This is a film full of charm. The main characters are all very likable, the performances from the actors are great, the location shooting is fantastic, there are some quite funny moments, and most importantly the film flows very well as a whole. There are times that this movie can bee a bit episodic, but that works to the film's advantage. At times the movie does just feel like a nice vacation, partly because of this. The romances are believable and you really find yourself actually caring about them. Most of all though the film just has a real pleasantness to it. This is hugely because the film takes it's time and lets us soak in the great sense of atmosphere this movie has.

Though this movie does feature a few risqué moments for a Disney film, they are handled very tastefully. Never does the film descend into vulgarity. There is actually quite a bit of suability especially to a scene involving a prostitute (that is quite funny as well). I will say for those with you kids, they most likely will not get these risqué scenes at all, and will probably be bored by them instead. Adult (and maybe teen) Disney fans, though may find it refreshing considering all the extreme vulgarity you can see in movies today.P

On the downside I think by this time Kevin Corcoran was too old to be playing the type of roles he had played in previous Disney films, and he is playing one here. He plays it well and he does get a few laughs in but he is simply to old for the part. Also there is a scene involving a sewer that goes on too long. However these are minor problems with an excellent movie.

                                                          Film Credits
Director: James Neilson
Writer: Bill Walsh
Based off a book by Joseph and Marrijane Hayes
Cast: Fred MacMurray (Harry Willard), Jane Wyman (Katie Willard), Tommy Kirk (Elliott Willard), Deborah Walley (Amy Willard), Kevin Corcoran (Skipper Willard), Michael Callan (Nick O'Mara), Jessie Royce Landis (Countessa DuFresne), Georgette Anys (Madame Clebert), Ivan Desny (Rudolph Hunschak), Françoise Prévost (Girl), Alex Gerry (Horace Bidwell), Howard Smith (Judge Henderson), Max Showalter (Man), James Millhollin (Ship's Liberian), Marcel Hillaire (Sewer Guide), Richard Wattis (Party Guest), Phillip Coolidge (Clerk), Hassan Khayyam (Shamra's Father), Ana Maria Majalca (Shamra), Doris Packer (Mrs. Henderson), Jeffery Sayre (Dancer), Marie Sirago (Florelle Clebert), Sara Taft (Woman), Carol White (Penelope Walthorne)
Producers: Walt Disney Bill Walsh, Ron Miller
Songwriter: Richard and Robert Sherman
Music: Paul Smith, Evelyn Kennedy, Franklyn Marks
Cinematographer: William Snyder
Editor: Cotton Warburton
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubery Davis
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, Hal Gausman
Costume Designer: Bill Thomas
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer
French Production Manager: Sacha Kamenka
Assistant Director: Joseph L. McEveety
Sound Artists: Dean Thomas, Robert O. Cook

Effects Artist: Eustace Lycett Photographer: Frank J. Calabria Costumers: Chuck Keehne, Gertrude Casey,  Joan Joseff Title Sequence: Bill Justice, Xavier Atencio

                                                    Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.ssusc.org/facts/
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Bon%20Voyage
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055807/

-Michael J. Ruhland

Moon Pilot

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland












Michael's Movie Grade:B+
Year Released: 1962

                                             History
Moon Pilot was the first Disney feature film directed by James Neilson. He later directed Bon Voyage, Summer Magic, The Moon Spinners and The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin. He had previously directed episodes of Disney's Zorro TV series. Maurice Tombragel the writer for this movie had previously written episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. He would write only one more feature film for the Disney studio, Monkey's Go Home!. This was the first film Walt's son in law Ron Miller (later to be head of the studio) was a producer on.

An episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color called The Spy in the Sky was made in order to promote this film.

The star of this movie was Tom Tryon. Tom Tyron had previously played Texas John Slaughter for various serialized episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. However this was his first and only appearance in a Disney feature. This movie advertised itself as introducing actress Dany Saval. This however wasn't quite true. This was her first American movie, but she had been making films in France for three years at this time. This film also features some of Disney's regular live action actors as well, including Brain Keith and Tommy Kirk. One thing that might interest today's film fan is that this movie is the film debut of Sally Field. She has a very small role here as a beatnick.

Critics were amazed at the amount and quality of the political satire used in this film. The reviews were very positive. Moon Pilot wasn't as popular at the box office, but due to the low budget used to make this movie, it did turn in a profit.

                                                       Review
An excellent film.

This film mixes slapstick and satire very well. The slapstick is the basic type you have come to expect from Disney comedies of this era (a chimp poking a our hero with a fork). However the satire is hugely political (something you would not associate with Disney comedies of this era). This political satire is very smart but also quite good natured. Swipes are taken at everybody, but there is no mean spiritedness behind any of these. These jokes are though still very funny. On top of this the slapstick humor and the satire work together perfectly and never get in each others way. Beyond the humor, the story and characters in this film are very likable.

On the downside, the stories setup seems to take too long. This can feel like a long slow setup to what the rest of the movie will be at times (though there are some funny moments here and there during the setup). This does not however change, just how good this movie is when it gets going, and it is excellent.

Overall a great movie that deserves more attention.

                                                        Film Credits
Director: James Neilson
Writer: Maurice Tombragel
Based on a story by Robert Buckner
Cast: Tom Tryon (Capt. Richmond Talbot), Brain Keith (Maj. Gen. John M. Vanneman), Edmond O'Brien (McClosky), Dany Saval (Lyrae), Bob Sweeny (Sen. Henry McGuire), Kent Smith (Secretary of the Air Force), Tommy Kirk (Walter Talbot), Simon Scott (Medical Officer), Bert Remsen (Agent Brown), Sarah Selby (Cecilia Talbot), Dick Whittinghill (Col. Briggs), Robert Brubaker (Technician), Douglas Evans (Colonel), Sally Field (Beatnik), Michael Garrett (Control Board Technician), Bob Hastings (Motorist), Jonathan Hole (Hotel Clerk), John Holland (Joe McCord), William Hudson (Technician), Kenner G. Kemp (Conventioneer), Nancy Kulp (Nutritionist), Muriel Landers (Woman), Harp McGuire (Federal Security Driver), Karen Norris (Bridge Player), Nelson Olmsted (Dennis), Jeffery Sayre (Conventioneer), Bert Stevens (Conventioneer), Arthur Tovey (Conventioneer), Guy Wilkerson (Conventioneer), Chet Stratton (Captain), John Zaremba (Officer)
Producers: Walt Disney, Ron Miller, Bill Anderson
Music: Paul Smith, Evelyn Kennedy, Joseph Oroop
Songwriters: Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman
Cinematographer: William E. Snyder
Editor: Cotton Warburton
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubrey Davis
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, William Stevens
Costume Designer: Bill Thomas
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer
Assistant Director: Joseph L. McEveety
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Harry Lindgren
Effects Artist: Eustace Lycett
Costumers: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne

                                       Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Moon%20Pilot
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056249/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

-Michael J. Ruhland

Babes in Toyland

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland











Year Released:1961
Michael's Movie Grade:D

                                                           History
Babes in Toyland was Disney's first feature length live action musical. While various previous Disney live action films had songs in them, none of them were really musicals.

Walt Disney had a long history of trying to make a film based off the Oz books. He originally wanted to make an animated feature film based off the books to follow Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but discovered that MGM already bought the rights (their movie version would of course go on to become on of the most famous films ever made). In 1954 Walt had bought the rights to the books. Now Walt had the idea to make this as a live action film, staring the Mousketeers from The Mickey Mouse Club TV show. There was even an episode of the Disneyland TV show made to advertise this, where the Mousketeers dressed in Oz like costumes and sang songs that might be used in that never made movie. In 1958 the idea for an Oz film was dropped for unknown reasons (perhaps the extreme popularity for the 1939 MGM film?) and essentially replaced with Babes in Toyland. The first actual Oz movie made for the Disney studio was Return to Oz released in 1985, about 19 years after Walt passed away. It is also worth noting that appearing in Babes in Toyland as the villain Barnaby in this film is Ray Bolger, who played the scarecrow in the MGM version of the Wizard of Oz.     

The director chosen for this film was Jack Donohue. Donohue had previously directed Watch that Birdie and The Yellow Cab Man, both with Red Skelton, as well as episodes of The Red Skelton Hour TV show. He would spend much of career directing episodes of TV shows, these included The Lucy Hour, Here's Lucy, The Brady Bunch, The Odd Couple and Chico and the Man. Babes in Toyland and a  episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color advertising the film would be the only work Jack Donohue ever did for the Disney studio.

Despite this film being live action some animation was used. The director for the animation was Disney legend Ward Kimball. Ward Kimball had been an animator for the studio since 1934 and would spend his entire career at Disney (he retired in 1971). Ward Kimball is probably best remembered by Disney fans for being the supervising animator for such characters as Jiminy Cricket, the Cheshire Cat, the Crows (in Dumbo), the Indians (in Peter Pan) and Lucifer (in Cinderella). He also would be the director of animation in a later live action Disney musical, a little film called Mary Poppins. Ward Kimball also served as one of the three writer on Babes in Toyland.

The other two writers were Joe Rinaldi and Lowell S. Hawley. Joe Rinaldi had written for such Disney animated classics as Dumbo, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Lady and the Tramp. Lowell S. Hawley had previously written for Disney's Zorro TV show and for the Disney live action classic Swiss Family Robinson. He would later be a writer for the Disney films In Search of Castaways, A Tiger Walks, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin, The Young Loner and The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band.

This wasn't the first film version of Babes in Toyland. There was an amazing 1934 movie (watch this film it is so good). The reason I bring this up is because that version stars Laurel and Hardy, and Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon as Barnaby's sidekicks are essentially playing Laurel and Hardy in this movie.

This film used both songs from the original musical on which it was based and original songs as well. The new songs were written by George Burns and Mel Leven. Mel Leven had previously wrote songs for 101 Dalmatians. George Burns had written songs for The Davy Crockett movies, Sleeping Beauty, Johnny Tremain, Tonka, and Westward Ho, The Wagons!.

Babes in Toyland did poorly at the box office, and was meet with very negative reviews from critics.

Until 1963 the films sets were available to see at Disneyland, and still to this day the toy soldiers are a staple of Disneyland's Christmas parade.

                                              

                                                          Review

Bland and forgettable, one of the few misses from the Disney studio during the Walt era.

The biggest problem with this movie is the characters, particularly the two main protagonists. They seem to be devoid of any personality besides just being nice people. Annette and Tommy Sands try their best but are given little to work with. Beyond this though there is not much of a feel of danger or excitement. We never truly believe that these protagonists are in any danger. All the threats are either too silly to be threatening or almost non-threatening. In other words most of the problems that they face just seem to delay the ending rather than cause excitement. This is strange to think that this could possibly be the same studio that brought us the evil queen in Snow White, the terrifying Pleasure Island scene from Pinocchio or the creepy banshee from Darby O' Gill. With how good the studio usually was (and is) at this it is shocking how much they miss the mark here.

Now there are some good things about this movie as well. Like all Disney films from this era it looks great. The sets are absolutely gorgeous and the special effects hold up very well. The songs are often quite pleasant, even if they are not always the best Disney songs. While much of the comedy does miss (Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon are very talented performers but no one plays Laurel and Hardy better than Laurel and Hardy), there are some pretty funny moments here and there. Ed Wynn as always is delightful here. Unfortunately these good points can not make up for the major problems this film has.

Skip this film and watch the 1934 Babes in Toyland instead. Luckily misses like this were very rare exceptions at Disney during this era, and the studio would continue to make many great films after this.

                                                               Film Credits

Director: Jack Donohue

Writers: Ward Kimball, Joe Rinaldi, Lowell S. Hawley

Based off an operetta by Glen Macdonough

Cast: Annette Funicello (Mary), Tommy Sands (Tom), Ray Bolger (Barnaby), Gene Sheldon (Roderigo), Henry Calvin (Gonzorgo), Ed Wynn (Toymaker), Tommy Kirk (Grumio), Ann Jillian (Bo-Peep), Kevin Corcoran (Boy Blue), Marty McCarty (Mother Goose), Brain Corcoran (Willie Winkie),  Don Anderson (Villager), Marilee Arnold (Twin), Melanie Arnold (Other Twin), Robert Banas (Dancer), Eileen Diamond (Dancer), Jack Donohue (Sylvester), Ilana Downing (Jill), James Martin (Jack), Bess Flowers (Villager), Jerry Glen (Simple Simon), James Gonzales (Villager), William Meador (Villager), John Perri (Jack Be Nimble), David Pinson (Bobby Shaftoe), Bryan Russell (Boy), Jeannie Russell (Singer)

Producer: Walt Disney

Cinematographer: Edward Coleman

Editor: Robert Stafford

Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubrey Davis

Animation Director: Ward Kimball

Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri

Costume Designer: Bill Thomas

Makeup Artist: Pat McNalley

Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer

Assistant Director: Austen Jewell

Unit Manager: Arthur J. Vitarelli

Sound Artist: Robert Cook

Music: George Burns

Song Writers: Victor Hubert, George Burns, Mel Leven

Effects Artists: Eustace Lycett, Robert A. Mattley

Animators: Joshua Meador, Bill Justice, Xavier Atencio

Matte Artist: Jim Fetherolf

Choreographer: Tom Mahoney

                                                     Resources Used

The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054649/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Babes%20in%20Toyland

-Michael J. Ruhland

     

Greyfriars Bobby

History and Review written by Michael J. Ruhland














Michael's Movie Grade:A+
Year Released:1961

                                                                 History
Greyfriars Bobby was a return to Britian for the Disney studio. Disney started making live action films in Britain with 1950's Treasure Island. This was done because the studio had made money in Britain that the government wouldn't allow to be spent in the U.S.A.. He followed this with three more live action British films, The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, The Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy: The Highland Rouge. Though this ended the studio's original four British films, they would return to Britian occosianlly over the years. Greyfriars Bobby was one of those films. 

It was also the first Disney film directed by Don Chaffey, who later directed The Three Lives of Thomasina and Pete's Dragon (1977) for Disney. Because this film was made in Britain, it didn't feature Disney's usual live action actors and actresses. However some people appearing in this film, had appeared in Disney films before. For instance Laurence Naismith played a small role earlier in Third Man on the Mountain and Duncan Macrae, Andrew Cruickshank and Alex Mackenzie had all played small roles in Kidnapped.

This film was also the next to last film for actor Donald Crisp. Donald Crisp had been appearing in films since 1908 (with a short called The French Maid). Over his career Crisp had appeared in such films as The Birth of a Nation, Broken Blossoms, The Black Pirate, Jezebel, and How Green is my Valley. He also played the mayor in Pollyanna for Disney. He had also worked as a director, co-directing The Navigator with Buster Keaton, and he directed by himself Don Q Son of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks.

The film received very positive reviews from critics. However it did not do well at the box office.

Greyfriars Bobby was based on a believed to be true story (or a book about that story) about a dog who guarded his masters grave. However in recent years there has been some argument as to whether the story was actually true. This is because there is now evidence that supports there being two dogs and neither of them belonged to the man whose grave they sat by. However as it often does the legend trumps the fact, on the basis that people love a good story.


                                                                      

                                                        Review

Incredibly moving and heartwarming film.

This is a rather slow paced movie, but it uses that slow place perfectly to it's advantage. The town of Greyfriars is as much a character in this film as Bobby himself. This slower pace lets the atmosphere of this town fully come to life. With the atmosphere being so vivid, the story and characters become more compelling. Every character has a distinct personality that really shows though out the film, and this just adds to the great atmosphere. The scenes involving Old Jock are extremely moving and even profound. This is due to a great sense of atmosphere and great characters.

Like nearly all Disney films of this era, the movie looks really good. The art direction (by Michael Stringer) couldn't be better, and neither could Paul Beesons' cinematography.

A must watch.

                                                  Film Credits
Director: Don Chaffey
Writer: Robert Westerby
Based on a book by Eleanor Atkinson    
Cast: Donald Crisp (James Brown), Laurence Naismith (Mr.. Traill) , Alex Mackenzie (Auld Jock), Duncan Macrae (Sgt. Davie Maclean), Andrew Cruickshank (Lord Provost), Gordon Jackson (Farmer), Rosalie Crutchley (Farmer's Wife), Freda Jackson (Caretaker), Moultrie Kelsall (Magistrate), Joyce Carey (First Lady), Vincent Winter (Tammy), Jameson Clark (Constable), Jack Lambert (Doctor), Joan Juliet Buck (Allie), Hamish Wilson (Hamish), Kay Walsh (Mrs. Brown), Geoffrey Bayldon (Vicar), John Breslin (News Correspondent), Betty Duncan (Woman), Damaris Hayman (Woman), Andrew Keir (Constable), Gerald Lawson (Man), Gennie Nevinson (Farmer's Daughter), Alec Paterson (Doctor), Robin Stewart (Jodie Ross)
Producers: Walt Disney, Hugh Attwool
Music: Francis Chargin
Cinematographer: Paul Beesons
Editor: Peter Tanner
Set Decorator: Vernon Dixon
 Art Director: Michael Stringer
Casting: Maude Spector
Costume Designer: Margret Furse
Makeup Artist: Harry Frampton
Hair Stylist: Barbara Ritchie
Production Manger: Peter Manley
Assistant Directors: Dennis Bertera, Graina O'Shannon
Special Effects: Albert Whitlock
Draughtsman: Norman Dorme
Sound Artists: Red Law, Terry Poultan, Norman Bolland, Malcom Stewart

                                                       Resources Used
 The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054944/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2021906/Greyfriars-Bobby-hoax-Dog-kept-vigil-masters-grave-publicity-stunt.html
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Greyfriars%20Bobby

-Michael J. Ruhland
                       

Nikki Wild Dog of the North

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland














Year Released:1961
Michael's Movie Grade:B+

                                              History
Like Perri, Nikki Wild Dog of the North used nature photography to help tell a fictional story. However unlike Perri, This film used both nature footage and footage using human actors.

The nature footage in this film was shot in Canada, and the photographers were sent out to find footage, that fit an already written script. Two different units were sent out to Canada to get the footage. One unit was headed by Jack Couffer, who receives credit as the unit's director. Couffer had already worked as a photographer on three of Disney's nature documentaries, two features (The Living Desert and Secrets of Life) and one short (Islands of the Sea). Nikki Wild Dog of the North was his directorial debut. He would later direct the short film A Country Coyote Goes Hollywood and the feature film The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle for Disney. The other unit was headed by Don Haldane. He receives credit as this unit's director. This is the only time he worked for Disney.

This film naturally had many veterans from Disney's nature documentaries working on it. Winston Hibler had been the narrator for all of the Disney nature documentaries at this time, and had written and produced many of them. Hibler was a producer and writer for this film (though Jacques Fauteux, who had never worked for Disney before or since (in fact this was his only English langue film) was the films narrator).Oliver Wallace who had done the music for many Disney films of all types is once again doing the music here. Photographer Lloyd Beebe had also been a photographer for three of Disney's nature documentaries (The Vanishing Prairie, White Wilderness and The Jungle Cat).

This film featured at least three new photographers. These were William W. Bacon III, Ray Jewell and Donald Wilder. William W. Bacon III would later work on Charlie the Lonesome Cougar, while the other two would never work on another Disney movie.

The story of this movie revolved around an unlikely friendship between a dog and a bear. However this friendship happened in real life, as this movie was being made. Both the dog and the bear used for this film quickly became great friends, and were from all accounts inseparable.

The reviews of the film were very positive. The film did okay at the box office, but it was definitely far from one of Disney's biggest hits.              

                                                                   Review
Excellent film.

This movie is often times very exciting, and even pretty intense. For people who only think of Disney as making cute little movies for kids, the fight scene towards the end must be shocking. In fact for those of us who know better, it is still shocking. The reason for this has little to do with blood (though there is some blood) and gore and much more to do with expert filmmaking. The scene is expertly made and extremely exciting. However this is not the only exciting part of the film. A scene were Nikki fights a bear is equally exciting. It is safe to assume that these scenes would not be as exciting if we didn't care about Nikki, but luckily we do.

On top of this the nature photography for this film is beautiful. Simply every scene that uses this is simply gorgeous to look at. Some of these shots even amaze you as to how they were done, and there are many I admit I don't know how they did.

On the downside this movie can feel like two different movies put together at times. Also the animal actors often outshine the human actors. However this are small problems with an excellent movie.

                                          
                                                             Film Credits
Directors: Jack Couffer, Don Haldane
Writers: Winston Hibler, Ralph Wright, Dwight Hauser
Based on a book by James Oliver Curwood
Cast: Nikki (Nikki), Jean Coutu (Andre Dupas), Émile Genest (Jacques Lebeau), Uriel Luft (Makoki), Robert Rivard (Durante), Jacques Fauteux (Narrator)
Producers: Walt Disney, Winston Hibler, Erwin L. Verity
Music: Oliver Wallace, Evelyn Kennedy, Clifford Vaughan
Photographers: Jack Couffer, Lloyd Beebe, William W. Bacon III, Ray Jewell, Donald Wilder
Editor: Grant K. Smith
Set Decorator: Jack McCullagh
Makeup Artists: Ken Brooke, Barry Nye
Unit Manager: Leo Ewaschuck
Assistant Directors: Jerry Stroll, Phil Hersch
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, George Mulholland, André de Tonnancourt
Costumer: Jan Kemp
Animal Trainer: Art Krowchuck

                                                    Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin opening and closing remarks on the film for TCM
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/85030/Nikki-Wild-Dog-of-the-North/articles.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055232/?ref_=tttr_tr_tt
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Nikki%20Wild%20Dog%20of%20the%20North

-Michael J. Ruhland

The Parent Trap

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland











Michael's Movie Grade:A
Year Released: 1961

                                                      History
After all the praise critics gave Hayley Mills for her performance in Pollyanna, Walt knew that this young actress could be a very important asset to the studio. Because of this he soon put her into another Disney film. That film would be The Parent Trap. On top of this he reunited her with her director in Pollyanna, David Swift. This would be David Swift's last film for Disney. David Swift began his career at Disney as an animator in the late 1930's. Much of this time was spent as the assistant animator to the legendary Ward Kimball. He left Disney in the late 1940's. After that he would direct episodes for such shows as The Rifleman, Wagon Train and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He would return to Disney to direct Pollyanna and The Parent Trap. After this film he would leave Disney again. After this he would do more work on TV with such shows as Camp Runamuck and Barney Miller. He would also direct the feature film How to Succeed in Business Without Trying in 1967. 

The story revolves around identical twins both played by Hayley Mills. Because of this naturally special effects would be important to this film. Cameraman Lucien Ballard later recalled how some of this was done, stating "They worked out this whole film using an old English process, much like the old blue-backing process to get the twins into various scenes. It involved double exposure with the backgrounds and it was very complicated. Plus when you were shooting you could never tell the girl which light to look into or anything. I told them it was too complex and asked instead for a double. Usually they sent relatives out for assignments like that but I told them I wanted a real double who really looked like Hayley. Finally I found a girl who was the same height, had the same features- everything was the same except her eyes were a different color, but I was able to compensate for that. And at several figures away, you couldn't tell the difference between the girl and Hayley. So I did a lot of over-the-shoulder shots, and threw out most of the vapor shots... But Walt made me put some of the trick shots back because he... liked technical things."

This was an interesting film in the career of actress Maureen O'Hara. Though she was a huge star in the 1930's and 40's, her career was on a downslide at this time. In 1957 the magazine Confidential told an untrue story about her having sex in the balcony of Grauman's Chinese theater, leading her to sue the magazine. She won this but both the story and her legal battle with the magazine hurt her career a lot. Maureen O'Hara, loved the script for The Parent Trap, but did not want to take the job because the pay was lower than she was used to, and she would not receive top billing. Walt would give into giving her more money, but Hayley Mills would receive top billing. O'Hara was impressed by how professional Hayley was. O'Hara later wrote about Hayley and the making of this film, "It got quite confusing, and even Hayley only knew which girl she was playing by which wig she was wearing. She hated wearing those wigs and thought the short one made her look like Laurence Olivier in Hamlet,"

David Swift liked the idea of broad comedy taking place at a summer camp, which was used early in this film. Because of this he would later make a TV series called Camp Runamuck, which revolved around that idea. That TV show would feature Frank DeVol, who played Mr. Eaglewood, in The Parent Trap.

This film was a big box office hit, and received great reviews from critics.

The Disney studio would make a made for TV sequel in 1986 called the Parent Trap II. That film would feature an older Hayley Mills in it. This would be followed by two more made for TV sequels, The Parent Trap III and The Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon, both released in 1989. The Parent Trap would be remade by the studio as a theatrical feature in 1998.

                                                         Review
Fantastic film.

This film is very charming as well as very funny. The characters are all very likable and well thought out. The humor ranges from over the top slapstick (cake in the face) to quite subtle humor (anything with the reverend). Both types of humor work great and never get in the way of each other. The scenes with Rev. Mosby are some of the funniest ever put into a Disney film. His subtle reactions to everything going on are laugh out loud hilarious. Honestly I don't see how anybody couldn't laugh when this guy is on screen. The acting is excellent. It is easy to see why Hayley Mills become a huge star for Disney, she is fantastic in this film. The whole cast is fantastic in fact. On top of this the story is very heartwarming.

The effect of having two Hayley's on the screen is incredible. Even if you set out looking for how they did it, there are times when you forget, that the same person on screen twice. You truly believe that these are two identical twins preforming together. Rarely if ever has this been done this well on screen before or since.

Overall this is a really, really good movie.

                                                                     Film Credits
Director: David Swift
Writer: David Swift
Based on a book by Erich Kästner
Cast: Hayley Mills (Susan Evers, Sharon McKendrick), Maureen O' Hara (Maggie McKendrick), Brain Keith (Mitch Evers), Charles Ruggles (Charles McKendrick), Una Merkel (Verbena), Leo G. Caroll (Rev. Mosby), Joanna Barnes (Vicky Robinson), Cathleen Nesbit (Louise McKendrick), Ruth McDevitt (Miss Inch), Crahan Denton (Hecky), Linda Watkins (Edna Robinson), Nancy Kulp (Miss Grunecker), Frank De Vol (Mr. Eaglewood), Kay Cole (Betsy), John Mills (Caddy), Irene Tedrow (Miss Lockness), Lynnette Winter (Ursula)
Producers: Walt Disney, George Golitzen
Music: Paul Smith, Evelyn Kennedy, Franklyn Marks
Song Writers: Richard and Robert Sherman
Cinematographer: Lucien Ballard
Editor: Philip Anderson
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Robert Clatworthy
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, Hal Gausman
Costume Designer: Bill Thomas
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer
Assistant Director Ivan Volkman
Sound Artists: Dean Thomas, Robert O Cook
Special Effects Artists: Ub Iwerks, Petro Vlahos, Bob Broughton
Cameramen: Chuck Arnold, Harry Young
Costume Artists: Chuck Keehne, Gertrude Casey
Title Sequence: T. Hee, Bill Justice, Xavier Atencio
Double: Susan Henning
Dialogue Coach: Leon Charles
Consultant: Don DaGradi

                                                         Resources Used  
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055277/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/212729%7C0/The-Parent-Trap.html
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Parent%20Trap%20%28The%29

-Michael J. Ruhland

The Absent Minded Proffessor

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland












Michael's Movie Grade:A-
Year Released: 1961
                                                        History
After the huge success of The Shaggy Dog, it seemed obvious to the Disney studio that it would be a good idea to put Fred MacMurray into more live action Disney comedies. First after The Shaggy Dog would come The Absent Minded Professor.

Like The Shaggy Dog, it was decided early on to make the film in black and white to make the effects more believable.

This film was directed by Robert Stevenson, who had earlier become one of Disney's most reliable live action directors. He had already directed questionably the studios biggest live action hit at this point, Old Yeller. He had also directed Johnny Tremain, Darby O Gill and the Little People, and Kidnapped for the studio. He would go on to direct such hits as Mary Poppins and The Love Bug.

On top of Fred MacMurray returning for this film, James Westfield would also return. Interestingly Westfield would play Officer Hanson, the same character he played in The Shaggy Dog. Also returning was Tommy Kirk, who had been in three Disney films before this (Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog and Swiss Family Robinson).

This is also the first Disney film to feature a song written by the Sherman Brothers (Richard M. and Robert B.). The Sherman Brothers would write songs for many Disney films. Most famously they would write the songs for The Jungle Book and Mary Poppins. The would also write the song for the It's a Small World Ride at Disneyland.

The Absent Minded Professor was well liked by critics and adored by audiences. It was a huge box office success. So much so that it would be one of the very few Disney movies to have a sequel made while Walt was alive. That sequel would be Son of Flubber and be released in 1963.  The Absent-Minded Professor was nominated for three Oscars, for best cinematography, best art direction and best special effects. Cinematography and art direction went to the film The Hustler, while the best special effects went to The Guns of Nararone. The Disney studio would later remake this film as a made for TV movie in 1988 and then as a theatrical movie, called Flubber, in 1997.
       

                                                                Review

Fantastic slapstick comedy.

The cast in this film is amazing. Fred MacMurray was absolutely prefect for the title role. Keenan Wynn made a great villain. Elliot Reid was very funny as a pretentious English professor. In fact the whole cast was just great.

This film still looks fantastic. The special effects have not dated at all, and Edward Coleman's cinematography is wonderful.

Most of all though this film is quite funny. The satire of government is brilliant. It is smart and remains true today. However this satire is never mean spirited or cynical. It is simply just funny and clever. The slapstick at the dance, the basketball game, and at the Hawk house remains laugh out loud funny.  It is not only well written but wonderfully executed. For pure laughs this is one of Disney's best live action comedies.

Overall this is a great film.

Film Credits
Director: Robert Stevenson
Written by Bill Walsh and Samuel W. Taylor
Cast: Fred MacMurray (Prof. Ned Brainard), Nancy Olson (Betsy Carlisle), Keenan Wynn (Alonzo P. Hawk), Tommy Kirk (Biff Hawk), Leon Ames (President Rufus Daggett), Edward Andrews (Defense Secretary), Ed Wynn (Fire Chief), Elliot Reid (Prof. Shelby Ashton), David Lewis (Gen. Singer), Jack Mullaney (Air Force Captain),Belle Montrose (Mrs. Chatsworth), Wally Brown (Coach Elkins), Wall Boag (Newsman), Forest Lewis (Officer Kelley), James Westerfield (Officer Hanson), Alan Carney (Referee), Charlie Brigs (Sig), Gage Clarke (Reverend Bosworth), Alan Hewitt (General Hotchkiss), Raymond Bailey (Admiral Olmstead), Wendell Holmes (General Poynter), Leon Tyler (Basketball Player), Carroll Adams (Basketball Player), Mike Fryer (Basketball Player), Gordon Martin (Basketball Player), Leon Alton (Wedding Guest), Don Anderson (Cameraman), Bill Baldwin (Reporter), Charlie (Himself), Paul Bradly (Military Person), Paul E. Burns (Taxi Driver), Robert Burton (Sam Wheeler), Ralph Clanton (O.J. Turnbull), Gary Clarke (Boy), Don Dilaway (Secretary), Sam Edwards (Radio Dispatcher), Bess Flowers (Wedding Guest), Paul Frees (Loudspeaker Voice, Air Force Dispatcher), Gordon Jones (Basketball Coach), Harriet E. Gibbon (Wedding Guest), Colin Kennedy (Man), Marlin McKeever (Football Player), Mike McKeever (Football Player), Henry Norell (Assistant Fire Chief), Greg Palmer (Communications Man), Hank Patterson (Fisherman), Maude Prickett (Woman), Tony Regan (Reporter), Jeffrey Sayre (Man), Ray Teal (Man), Arthur Tovey (Man), Carole Wells (Girl), Tom Wilson (Fisherman), Ned Wynn (Boy)

Producer: Walt Disney Associate Producer: Bill Walsh Cinematographer: Edward Colman Music: George Burns Art Director: Carroll Clark Set Decorator: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri Editor: Cotton Warburton Special Effects: Peter Ellenshaw, Eustace Lycett, Robert A. Mattey, Joshua Meador   Assistant Director: Robert G. Shannon Second Unit Director: Arthur J. Vitarelli Songwriters: Richard and Robert Sherman Resources Used The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054594/?ref_=rvi_tt http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/66717/The-Absent-Minded-Professor/articles.html http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Absent-Minded%20Professor%20%28The%29 -Michael J. Ruhland

One Hundred and One Dalmatians

History and Review by Michael J. Ruhland













Michael's Movie Grade:A-
Year Released:1961


                                                                     History
One Hundred and One Dalmatians was in many ways a the opposite of Sleeping Beauty, which was Disney's most recent animated feature. Sleeping Beauty was an extremely expensive film, that could not and did not make a profit, because it cost so much. Also Sleeping Beauty was attacked by critics as pretentious. In fact due to the failure with that animated feature and the studios success with Live action films and Disneyland, Walt was advised to abandon animation. One Hundred and One Dalmatians was made on a much smaller budget and the story could in no way be mistaken for being pretentious. However it is arguable how much the failure of Sleeping Beauty affected this film, because work started production in 1958, while Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959.   

One Hundred and One Dalmatians would differ greatly from previous Disney animated features. Though the film does have songs, it is not a musical in a way that the earlier films had been. Story wise it would only be written by one person, Bill Peet. Also it takes place at the time the movie was made. This film would also have a modern art style design, which differed much from previous animated Disney films. Many of the animators liked this new design, but Walt personally did not much care for it. Ken Anderson later said "Walt was one who inherently hated lines. He hated to see a drawing on screen... he was a frustrated actor. Every line was a soft line and was doing his best to make it look like live action... so he was very disappointed when he saw what was happening on Dalmatians. However we had gone so far and it was coming off so well... but I find out he didn't buy it until it was all over. Had it all done. Then I found out he was very displeased with it."

Another person important to the modern art look of the film was color stylist Walt Peregory. Peregory dropped out of the tenth grade and went to work for Disney in 1943 at the age of seventeen. He left the job shortly after because it felt too much like a factory for his taste. However he would come back to the studio in 1951. He spent four years as an assistant animator and clean up artist. In 1955, he would become a background painter for Sleeping Beauty, thanks to art director Eviland Earle. Peregory would use a lot of  flat colors in 101 Dalmatians. Unlike what had been used in most previous animated Disney films, his work here was used to invoke the mood of the scene, rather than to add a sense of realism.

Another very important name in the making of 101 Dalmatians was animator Marc Davis. Marc Davis was the supervising animator for Cruella Deville. He would later state that one of the biggest influences for this character was actress Tallulah Bankhead (who would probably be known to my fellow Alfred Hitchcock fans for staring in the brilliant Lifeboat). Marc Davis had already established himself as a Disney legend for being the supervising animator for such Disney characters as Cinderella, Alice, Tinkerbell and Maleficent. He also helped design the characters of Pinocchio and Bambi. He had also already worked on the Jungle Cruise ride for Disneyland. He would later work on for Disneyland, It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion. His work animating Cruella Deville has been one of the most praised aspects of this film. However 101 Dalmatians would be the last time he worked on a film.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians obviously involved quite a few Dalmatians. Animation legend Chuck Jones had joking said that if he made this film it would star one dog with one spot and he would be named Spot. That was because so many Dalmatians would be very hard to put on screen. Because of this the film involved use of a Xerox machine much more than any previous animated feature. This Xerox method was naturally used most for the Dalmatians. Art director Ken Anderson designed the backgrounds to look as if they had also been Xeroxed so that both the background and foreground would match perfectly.

The directors of this film would be Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske and Wolfgang "Woolie" Reitherman. Together these three had already directed Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and Lady and the Tramp.

The film was a huge success with both critics and audiences. Many critics said it was the best Disney film since Dumbo (released 20 years before this 101 Dalmatians) and felt this film had some of the most sophisticated humor done in a Disney film. In 1996, the Disney studio would remake this film in live action, and that remake would be popular enough to get a sequel in 2000 (102 Dalmatians). In 1998 an animated TV show would be based off this film called 101 Dalmatians: The Series.

                                                                       Review

Very clever and fun movie.

The writing in this film is quite clever, from the Twilight Bark, to the very funny TV satire, to the dogs escape, to just the dialogue in general. In fact the whole script is full of little clever ideas. Pongo as the narrator sets up this film's great writing from the start, and the film only gets better from there. This film has a great sense of humor, but the writing is just as clever during the dramatic scenes.

The design work in this film is great. This may have a different look from previous animated Disney films, but the look is just as good. The use of color in the backgrounds is brilliant. While they are more abstract they help pull us into the emotion of the scenes so strongly, that it makes the film feel more real.

As has been said many times before one of the best things about this film is Cruella Deville. She is a fantastic villain. She is over the top, and very funny because of that, but she is not too over the top that she is not threating. In fact she is very threating, and you always worry about what she could do next. She is animated perfectly by Marc Davis, who really gets to show why he is a Disney legend in this film. Betty Lou Gerson was the perfect voice for her on top of all this.

Overall a fantastic movie.

                                                    Film Credits

Directors: Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi

Writer: Bill Peet

Based on a book by Dodie Smith

Voices: Rod Taylor (Pongo), Betty Lou Gerson (Cruella De Vil, Miss Birdwell), Cate Bauer (Perdita), Lisa Daniels (Perdita), Ben Wright (Roger), Lisa Davis (Anita), Martha Wentworth (Nanny, Queenie, Lucy), J. Pat O'Malley (Colonel, Jasper), Fred Worlock (Horace, Craven), Tudor Owen (Towser), Tom Conway (Quizmaster, Collie), George Pelling (Danny), Thurl Ravenscroft (The Captain), David Frankham (Sergeant Tibs), Ramsay Hill (Television Announcer, The Labrador), Queenie Leonard (Princess), Marjorie Bennett (Duchess), Barbara Beaird (Rolly), Mickey Maga (Patch), Sandra Abbott (Penny), Mimi Gibson (Lucky), Barbara Luddy (Rover), Paul Frees (Dirty Dawson), Lucille Bliss (Commercial Singer), Rickie Sorensen (Spotty), Dal McKennon (Dalmatian Puppy, Sheepdog and Hound Barks)

Producer: Walt Disney

Music: George Burns

Songwriters: Mel Leven, Bill Lee

Production Supervisor: Ken Peterson

Editors: Donald Halliday, Roy M. Brewster, Jr.

Art Director: Ken Anderson

Special Effects: Ub Iwerks, Eustace Lycett

Sound Artist: Robert O. Cook

Background Artists: Al Dempster, Ralph Hulett, Anthony Rizzo, Bill Layne

Layout Artists: Basil Davidovich, Joe Hale, Dick Ung, McLaren Stewart, Dale Barnhart, Homer Jonas, Vance Gerry, Ray Aragon, Al Zinnen, Sammie June Lanham, Victor Haboush

Layout Stylists: Don Griffith, Colin Campbell, Erni Nordli

Color Stylist: Walt Peregoy

Character Stylists:  Bill Peet, Tom Oreb

Effects Animators: Jack Boyd, Dan MacManus, Ed Parks, Jack Buckley

Supervising Animators: Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, Marc Davis,John Lounsbery, Ollie Johnston, Eric Larson

Animators: Hal King, Les Clark, Cliff Nordberg, Blaine Gibson, Eric Cleworth, John Sibley, Art Stevens, Julius Svendsen, Hal Ambro, Ted Berman, Bill Keil, Don Lusk, Dick Lucas, Amby Paliwoda

Resources Used

The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

Cartoon Modern: Style and Design in Fifties Animation by Amid Amidi

Of Mice and Magic: The History of the American Animated Cartoon by Leonard Maltin

The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland by The Imagineers

https://www.bcdb.com/cartoon-characters/33-One-Hundred-And-One-Dalmatians

http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/101%20Dalmatians%20%28Animated%29

-Michael J. Ruhland

Sign of Zorro

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland















Michael's Movie Grade:B
Year Released:1960

                                                             History
Because of the Disney Studios success with putting episodes of their Davy Crocket TV production together to make feature films, it seemed natural to put episodes of their very successful Zorro TV show together to make a feature. Unlike Davy Crockett, Zorro's episodes were shot in black and white so there wasn't the added attraction of seeing them in color, and also there were multiple directors for this show. The episodes used for this film were directed by Norman Foster and Lewis R. Foster.

The actor to play Zorro in this film (and of course the TV show, it is edited from) was Guy Williams. Guy Williams never had much success in theatrical films, most of his roles in these films were very small uncredited roles. However he would find a good career with TV shows. The Zorro TV show would be his first big important role (the show began in 1957). His most famous role would be in the 1960's TV show Lost in Space as professor John Robinson. The series also introduced Disney fans to Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon, who would appear in the Disney films Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks With the Circus (which was released before this movie edited from the show) and Babes in Toyland. Many critics and Disney fans have noted how similar the pairing of Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon.

For the Zorro TV show a new part of the backlot would be created. This new part would not only be used on the TV show, but also for a few Disney westerns.

This movie was made for foreign countries who did not get the TV show in 1958. However after the TV show was cancelled two years later, this film would be released in the U.S.A.. However when it was released in the U.S. it did not do very well. Critics felt it was poorly edited, and audiences simply didn't go see it.

                                                                                  Review

Very fun film is a delight to watch.

This film is a great representation of the legendary character of Zorro. It is well written and quite fun. On top of that the casting is excellent. Guy Williams is perfect as Zorro, Britt Lomond makes an excellent villain, and Gene Sheldon and Henry Calvin are great in their roles. This acting and the writing bring the characters to life. The action is exciting and fun, and only helped by how great these characters are. The film also while not as extravagant as many Disney films from this era are, still looks quite good.

The problem with this film however is that there are times when you can tell it is edited from a TV show. At times it feels a bit rushed, and sometimes editing between scenes seems a bit too obvious like something was cut (which it was). Naturally because of this the TV might be a better watch this story. Despite this however the film still stands quite well on it's own as it is a delightfully fun movie.

                                        Film Credits
Directors: Lewis R. Foster, Norman Foster
Writers: Norman Foster, Bob Wehling, Lowell S. Hawley, John Meredyth Lucas, Ian Hay
Based on a novel by Johnston McCulley.
Cast: Guy Williams (Zorro, Don Diego), Britt Lomond (Capitán Monastario), Henry Calvin (Sgt. Garcia), Gene Sheldon (Bernardo), Romney Brent (Padre Felipe), George J. Lewis (Don Alejandro), Tony Russel (Carlos Martinez), Jan Arvan (Don Nachos Torres), Than Wyenn (Licenciado Pina), John Dehner (Viceroy), Elvera Corona (Pilar Fuentes), Lisa Gaye (Constancia), Madeleine Taylor Holmes (Luisa Torres), Nestor Pavia (Innkeeper), Eugenia Paul (Elena Torres)
Producers: Walt Disney, Bill Anderson
Music: William Lava
Cinematographer: Gordon Avil
Editors: Hugh Chaloupka, Stanley E. Johnson, Roy V. Livingston, Cotton Warburton
Art Director: Marvin Aubrey Davis
Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri
Makeup Artist: Pat McNelly
Unit Manager: Roy Wade
Assistant Directors: Russ Haverick, Vincent McEveerty
Matte Artist: Peter Ellenshaw
Sound Artist: Robert O. Cook
Stunt Artist: Buddy Van Horn
Customer: Chuck Keehne

Resources Used  
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Sign%20of%20Zorro%20%28The%29
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054307/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

-Michael J. Ruhland

Swiss Family Robinson

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland










Michael's Movie Grade:A
Year Released:1960


                                        History
This was not the first time Swiss Family Robinson had been adapted to film. It had been done before in 1940 (interestingly that film was released by RKO, which had previously distributed Disney films). Walt and Director Ken Annakin screened this film before embarking on their own version (something unusual in the making of a Disney film). After watching this they decided to make the Disney version very different from that previous version. One way to go about this was to use more location shooting. The movie would be shot on the island of Tobago. Actor John Mills would later state this was the most beautiful place any movie he was in was ever shot.

Most of the cast consisted of Disney Veterans. Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran had previously played brothers in both Old Yeller and The Shaggy Dog. Dorothy McGuire also appeared in The Shaggy Dog. Janet Murno had previously been in Darby O' Gill and the Little People and Third Man on the Mountain. This would be her last theatrical film for Disney. James McDonald had also been in The Light in the Forest and Third Man on the Mountain. Also appearing in Swiss Family Robinson was British actor John Mills. When John Mills was suggested to be in this movie, Walt watched him in a film called Tiger Bay. Walt was not only impressed by John Mills but his daugther Hayley Mills (Tiger Bay was her film debut) as well. So because of Tiger Bay, not only did John Mills get to star in Swiss Family Robinson, but Hayley Mills got to star in Pollyanna as well.

The crew themselves built the sets including the famous treehouse from materials sent from Trinidad. Many animals were also sent from over the world including 100 flamingos, 40 monkeys, 8 dogs, 6 ostriches, 6 hyenas, 4 zebras, 2 anaconda, 2 elephants and one tiger.  Due to problems with weather, disease and animals the shooting took 22 weeks. To make matters worse while the cast got along great, the crew did not get along so well. On top of this the film came back with audio problems, and all the dialogue had to be rerecorded.

This film received mixed reviews from Critics, however it was one of the biggest box office success of 1960, out grossing both Psycho and Spartacus.  

In 1962, the Swiss Family Treehouse, an attraction based off the treehouse in the movie was added to Disneyland. In 1999 it would be renamed Tarzan's Treehouse.

 

                                                                           Review
Fantastic adventure film is just pure fun from beginning to end.

This film's story is very far fetched, but that is exactly what makes it so good. This far fetched-ness is treated with such sincerity, that it is hard not to get caught up in the movie's charm.

Charming really is the best word to describe this film. Everything in this movie is simply charming, including the story, the characters, the beautiful photographer, and the setting. Almost all of this film is coated in an incredible sense of atmosphere as well. This movie in a way does leave the feeling that the viewer, just enjoyed a great island vacation. The film has a very relaxed feel to it that is simply additive. To see such a relaxed feel work so well is rare in the history of film, but here it is done amazingly well.

Overall a fantastic movie and a must watch for all Disney fans,

                                                            Film Credits
Director: Ken Annakin
Writer: Lowell S. Hawley
Based off a novel by Johann David Wyss
Cast: John Mills (Father), Dorothy McGuire (Mother), James McArthur (Fritz), Tommy Kirk (Ernst), Kevin Corcoran (Francis), Janet Murno (Roberta), Sessue Hayakawa (Pirate Leader), Cecil Parker (Captain Moreland), Milton Reid (Pirate), Larry Taylor (Pirate)
Producers: Walt Disney, Bill Anderson
Associate Producer: Basil Keys
Music: William Alwyn, Muir Mathieson, Buddy Baker
Cinematographers: Harry Waxman, Paul Beeson
Editor: Peter Boita
Production Designer: John Howell
Set Decorator: Jack Stephens
Costume Designer: Julie Harris
Hair Stylist: Eileen Bates
Makeup Artists: Charles Nash, Bill Lodge
Production Manager: Bill Hill
Assistant Director: René Dupont
Second Unit Director: Yakima Canutt
Assistant Art Directors: Peter Murton, John Hoesli
Sketch Artist: John L. Jenson
Dressing Props: Dickie Bamber
Sound Artists: Les Wiggens, John Dennis, Gordon K. McCallum
Special Effects Artists: Denny Lee, Walter Stones
Matte Artist: Peter Ellenshaw
Stunt Artists: Ken Buckle, Chuck Courtney, Evelyn Finley, Loren James, Fez Reynolds, Paul Stader, Armin Tardieu
Second Unit Focus Puller: James Devis
Animal Trainer: Fez Reynolds
Animal Supervisor: Ralph Helfer

Resources Used
  http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/203349%7C0/Swiss-Family-Robinson.html
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/2011/06/swiss-family-robinson-1960.html
The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland by The Imagineers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054357/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Ten Who Dared

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland













Michael's Movie Grade:D
Year Released:1960

                                                        History
The Disney studio had already had big hits with various westerns in the past, so it seemed natural for the studio to do another western. For the subject of the film the journals of John Wesley Powell (the first man to cross the Colorado River) was chosen. Because of this the film would feature some location shooting at the Grand Canyon. To direct this film Walt choose William Beuadine, who had previously directed the Disney western, Westward Ho The Wagons! as well as the Disney TV shows The Adventures of Spin and Marty and The Mickey Mouse Club. Beuadine had been directing since the silent era and some of his non-Disney films included Sparrows, Little Annie Rooney and Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklynn Gorilla.

Ten Who Dared marked the first time Disney legend James Algar produced a Disney movie. James Algar began his Disney career as an animator on the classic cartoon short Broken Toys and the great Disney animated feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. He would then direct The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment of Fantasia. He would follow this by directing many of the studios nature documentaries.

This film also marked the Disney debut of actor Brain Keith, who would later be in the Disney films The Parent Trap, Moon Pilot, Savage Sam, A Tiger Walks and Those Callaways.

The story goes that after a preview screening Roy Disney said to his brother Walt that everybody has his misses. Roy wasn't the only one to feel this way. Ten Who Dared was a huge disappointment with both critics and audiences. Critics hated the movie and audiences didn't go to see it. Today many Disney buffs consider it the worst film Walt Disney ever worked on.

Review

This should have been a really good movie. It had everything going for it, a very talented cast and crew, a good idea for a story, and a beautiful location for shooting. This is why it is sad that this simply is not a good film.

The biggest problem with this film is the characters, who are mostly just bland stereotypes instead of actual personalities. There is depth to these characters. They simply seem to exist simply for the plot. Considering they were based off of real people, this is a huge fault. On top of this the story is not very well written. There is little suspense or involvement. Unlike most of Disney's live action films, the difference between the scenes shot on location and those shot on a set is very distracting. The scenes shot on a set are simply poorly done.

There are a few good things about this movie as well. The location shooting is excellent. Some of the dialogue about the civil war is quite well written. Also the actors are doing their best despite not having much to work with.  However the bad very much overshadowed the good in this movie.

Luckily a misfire was very rare for the Disney studio at this time. They made so many great films and brought us so much happiness, that we can easily forgive a bad movie this, because it is a very rare exception.

                                                                    Film Credits
Director: William Beaudine
Writer: Lawrence Edward Watkins
Based on the Journals of John Wesley Powell
Cast: John Beal (Maj. John Wesley Powell), Brain Keith (William Dunn), James Drury (Walter Powell), R.G. Armstrong (Oramel Howland), Ben Johnson (George Bradley), L.Q. Jones (Billy 'Missouri' Hawkins), Dan Sheridan (Jack Sumner), David Stollery (Andrew Hall), Stan Jones (Seneca Howland), David Frankham (Frank Goodman), Roy Barcroft (Jim Baker), Jack Big Head (Ashtishkel), Pat Hogan (Indian Chief), Dawn Little Sky (Indian), Ray Walker (McSpadden)
Producers: Walt Disney, James Algar
Music: Oliver Wallace
Songwriter: Lawrence Edward Watkins
Cinematographer: Gordon Avil
Editors: Norman R. Palmer, Cotton Warburton
Art Directors: Hilyard Brown, Carroll Clark
Set Decorator: Emile Kuri
Costume Design: Chuck Keehne
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Assistant Director: Russ Haverick
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Harry Lindgren
Special Effects: Ub Iwerks
Matte Artist: Albert Whilock
Technical Advisor: Otis Marson

Recourses Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
Building a Company : Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire By Bob Thomas
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Ten%20Who%20Dared
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054372/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

-Michael J. Ruhland