Year Released:1958
Michael's Movie Grade:B+
History
The Light in the Forest was again a film made hugely because of Disney's success with westerns. Such films as Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier, The Great Locomotive Chase, Westward Ho, the Wagons!, and Old Yeller had proved that westerns could be a very profitable and popular style of film for Disney to pursue. Starting with Old Yeller, which was the Disney feature right before this film the Disney westerns were being less action based. For instance this film is a fairly serious look at race relations in particular between whites and American Indians.This is something while brought up in the Davy Crockett films and Westward Ho, the Wagons! was not truly discussed as it would be here.
The director of this film was Herschel Daugherty, who is definitely a director more associated with working in television than on the big screen. He had directed for such TV shows as Alfred Hitchcock Presents (one of Disney's best live action directors Robert Stevenson regularly directed for this show as well), Rawhide, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Gunsmoke, Star Terk and Bonanza. He also directed some made for TV features such as The Victim, The Slowest Gun in the West and Twice in a Lifetime. This was his first time directing something that would be released in theaters rather than on TV. He would only direct two other theatrical movies The Raiders, and El magnifico extranjer, both of which were also westerns. This would be his first and last film for the Disney Studio.
Much of the footage for The Light in the Forest was shot in Tennessee. However the footage taking place in the American Indian Camp was shot at the Rowland V. Lee Ranch in California. Much of that footage would also be supervised by Iron Eye's Cody, who was believed to be an American Indian. He had previously been an actor for Disney in Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier and Westward Ho The Wagons. He made a good career out of playing Indians in westerns, both for the big and small screen. He acted in such feature length westerns as A Man Called Horse, Broken Arrow, and Son of Paleface. He would also appear in the western TV shows Maverick, Bonanza, Cheyenne, Rawhide, Wagon Train and Gunsmoke. Later his origins would be challenged when writer Angela Aleiss would prove that he was actually Italian. However due to his strong support for the rights of those he claimed as his people, he would be honored by Hollywood's Native American Society.
This film would be the last teaming of Disney and Fess Parker. With this film and Old Yeller before it, Fess had been getting supporting roles. He was getting tired of supporting roles quite quickly and wanted to be known for more than just doing Disney westerns. When asked to play a small role in Disney's next feature length western he turned it down and left the studio forever. However it is worth noting that his role here was much bigger than his role in Old Yeller was.
Critics really liked this film and were happy to see Disney approaching such a serious subject matter. However it is unknown at this time how this film did at the box office.
Review
Very charming and quite moving film.
What really makes this film work is the respect shown to the movie's subject matter. While it may not be as complex as the book this film still is a lot more complex than it would in the hands of lesser filmmakers. There is not a good or a bad side in this film. Both sides are filled with good and bad people. Hatred is shown as equally wrong on both sides. It would have been so easy to just simplify this to the point of having one side good and one bad, but this film is above that.
Another thing that makes this film work is just how likable the main character is. We relate to him strongly and sympathize with his plight. He is a very well meaning person, and he is played quite well by James MacArthur. most of the characters are also quite likable and well acted. The character of Wilse Owens may be the exception as he is a bit too much of a one note character, though even that doesn't hurt the movie too much.
Like most Disney movies from this time the film looks great. Ellsworth Fredericks' cinematography specially stands out.
Film Credits
Director: Herschel Daugherty
Writer: Lawrence Edward Watkin
Based on a novel by Conrad Richter
Cast: James MacArthur (Johnny Butler,True Son), Carol Lynley (Shenandoe), Joanne Dru (Milly Elder), Jessica Tandy (Myra Butler), Fess Parker (Del Hardy), Wendell Corey (Wilse Owens), John McIntire (John Elder), Joseph Calleia (Chief Cuyloga), Rafael Campos (Half Arrow), Frank Ferguson (Harry Butler), Dean Fredericks (Niskitoon), Marian Seldes (Kate Owens), Stephen Bekassy (Col. Henry Bouquet), Sam Buffington (George Owens), Robert Anderson (Capt. Grant), Pat Brady (Musician), Gloria Castillo (Regina), Iron Eyes Cody (Cuyloga's Counsellor), Nancy Crawford (Party Guest), Myrna Fahey (Hannah Moore), George Ford (Party Guest), Kevin Hagen (Fiddler), Jimmie Horan (Party Guest), George Keymas (Trader), Kay E. Kuter (Fiddler), Eddie Little Sky (Little Crane), Jack Lorenz (Guard), Noralee Norman (Party Guest), Bernie Sellman (Paddler), Vince St. Cyr (Brave), Harriet Sumner (Settler), Walter Sumner (Guard), Joyce Vanderveen (Little Crane's Wife), Don Washbrook (Party Guest), Will J. White (
Leader)
Producer: Walt Disney
Music: Evelyn Kennedy, Franklyn Marks, Beau Vanden Ecker, Elmer Ellsworth, Leonard Harris, Esther Krebs
Songwriter: Hazel George
Cinematographer: Ellsworth Fredericks
Editor: Stanley E. Johnson
Art Director: Carroll Clark
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, Fred M. MacLean
Costume Artists: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne
Makeup Artists: Pat McNalley, Ruth Sandifer, Tom Bartholomew, Linda Cross, Willon Fields, John G. Holden, Lillian Lashin, Fae M. Smith, Jack Stone, Hazel R. Thompson
Production Manager: John Grubbs
Assistant Production Manager: William F. Sheehan
Unit Manager: Virgil Hart
Assistant Directors: Robert G. Shannon, Jack Cunningham, Cliff Reid Jr., William F. Sheehan
Second Unit Director: Peter Ellenshaw
Painter: Peter Ellenshaw
Propmen: Roy Bolton, Jack Boss, Charles Chrisman, Jack Colconda, Abe Siegel
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Dean Thomas, James Lester Gear, Tom Goldrich, Malcolm Rennings, Lou Skelton
Stunt Artists: Harvey Parry, Al Wyatt Sr.
Technical Advisor: Iron Eyes Cody
Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier
-Michael J. Ruhland
