Michael's Movie Grade: A-
Year Released: 1962
History
Almost Angels is the first Disney film to be made in Austria. Appropriately it is about the Vienna Boys choir, because like the films the studio made in Britain the studio almost always had any film shot overseas have a story that needs to take place there.
The film was directed by Steve Previn and this is not only the only theatrical feature he made for Disney, but his only theatrical feature in the English language. He did however also direct episodes of the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color TV show. The writer was Vernon Harris (who would later write the 1968 film Oliver), and this is the only Disney film he wrote. The story was based off a story by Robert A. Stammie, one that was never published.
As the film was shot in Austria, it did not feature many of Disney's regular staple of actors. Though Vincent Winter had a brief role in Greyfrairs Bobby and would later be in The Three Lives of Thomasina, as well as a few episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color and Sean Scully had been in some episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.
Almost Angels was released in theaters as a double feature with Lady and the Tramp (Advertisements said "Mischievous Dogs and Mischievous Boys!") That guaranteed that the film would be a box office success and it was. The film also received very positive reviews from critics. Overseas the film was titled Born to Sing.
Review
This film may be quite corny and sentimental, but if you allow yourself to get sucked into the sentimentality, you are in for a treat as this is a fantastic film.One thing that is so good about this film is the characters. These characters are very well thought out and relatable. You actually feel proud of them at times, which is something hard for a film to do. The characters worries and goals are very relatable even if you don't have an interest in the subject (though I personally find the subject interesting). Through the characters, the film brings up a theme about the fear of growing up, and not being a kid anymore. While this is looked at in a very lighthearted fashion, there is depth and maturity to how this theme is treated, but it never once takes away from the lighthearted fun of the film.
Like all Disney films of this time, the movie looks fantastic. The sets and cinematography are just a joy to look at, but still never get in the way of the story. This film also features a good sense of humor. Though it may not always be laugh out loud funny, none of the jokes miss, and quite a few really work.
Overall a fantastic film.
Film Credits
Director: Steve Previn
Writer: Vernon Harris
Based on a story by Robert E. Stemmie
Cast: Vincent Winter (Tony Fiala), Sean Scully (Peter Schaefer), Peter Wreck (Max Heller), Hans Holt (Doctor Eisinger),
Bruni Löbel (Tony's mom), Fritz Eckhardt (Tony's dad), Denis Gilmore (Friedel Schmidt), Hennie Scott (Ferdie), Gunthur Philip (Radio Announcer), Hermann Furthmosek (Chiormaster), Hans Christian (Chiormaster), Walter Regelsberger (Chiormaster), Heinz Grohmann (Music Teacher), Heidi Grübl (Seamstress), Bernard Hindinger (Felix Meinl), Gerda Maren (Sister-nurse),
Rose Renée Roth (Wardrobe Mistress), Anni Schönhuber (Woman), Elisabeth Stiepl (Mother), Walter Varndal (Math Teacher), Wiener Sängerknaben (Choir Boy), Oskar Willner (Monsignore), Liselotte Wrede (Woman)
Producers: Walt Disney, Peter V. Herald
Cinematographer: Kurt Grigolet
Music: Heinz Schreiter
Editor: Alfred Srp
Art Directors: Isabella Schlichting, Werner Schlichting
Costume Designer: Leo Bei
Makeup Artists: Leopold Kuhnert, Rudolph Ohlschmidt
Production Managers: Willy Egger, Robert Russ
Assistant Director: Rudolph Nussgruber
Sound Artists: Herbert Janeczka, Kurt Schwarz
Cameramen: Herbert Geier, Hermann Meroth
Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055740/?ref_=nv_sr_1
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Almost%20Angels
-Michael J. Ruhland
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