Michael's Movie Grade:A-
Year Released:1963
History
Walt Disney was not one to let a little thing like a box office failure get in the way of him doing what he wanted to do. His first live action musical feature Babes in Toyland did very poorly at the box office, but that did not stop him from making another live action musical. This second live action musical would star Annette Funicello and be based off of the Kate Douglas Smith novel, Mother Carey's Chickens. However for unknown reasons Annette was dropped and the film would instead star another Disney star actress, Hayley Mills.
This was the third Disney film from director James Neilson, who had previously directed Moon Pilot and Bon Voyage. The screenplay was written by Sally Benson, who wrote the book that one of the most popular movie musicals of all time was based on, Meet Me in Saint Louis. She may also be known by my fellow Alfred Hitchcock fans for being one of the writers on Hitch's Shadow of a Doubt.
The critics were very harsh towards this movie. A review in the New York Times stated "Six year olds may love it". Judith Crist described the movie's characters as "One of those obnoxious families who are perpetually gathered around the piano and singing their hearts out in times of crisis". However audiences definitely went to see this movie, and the movie made over $4,000,000 at the box office.
Richard Sherman would later refer to the song from this film, On the Front Porch as his favorite song he ever wrote. In fact many of the songs from this movie may sound familiar to Disney fans as instrumental versions play in Main Street at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Review
Many reviews complained that this film was lacking in terms of plot. If it is that is all this delightful film is lacking in. The film is extremely charming from beginning to end. Nearly everything works about this movie the characters are well thought out, the songs are fantastic, the movie has a great look to it, the acting is fantastic (especially from Hayley), and the pace is nice leisurely and relaxed. This film though may not appeal to everyone as it is one of those films, that really isn't about a big story but simply characters living their lives. However I love these type of movies and I think that others who enjoy these as well will also love this movie, like I do. While if done poorly these films can be a little boring, if done well, as it is here, these films are almost as fascinating as any big budget action movie and sometimes even more. As well as all this the movie has a great sense of small town Americana. However that is not much of a surprise in a movie that combines the talents of Walt Disney and Sally Benson. If you are simply in the mood for it, as I was, this is a fantastic movie, that is full of a simple, but very effective type of magic.
Film Credits
Director: James Neilson
Writer: Sally Benson
Based on a book by Kate Douglas Wiggins
Cast: Hayley Mills (Nancy Carey), Dorothy McGuire (Margaret Carey), Deborah Walley (Julia Carey), Eddie Hodges (Gilly Carey), Burl Ives (Osh Popham), Jimmy Mathers (Peter Carey), Una Merkel (Mariah Popham), Michael J. Pollard (Digby Popham), Peter Brown (Tom Hamilton), James Stacy (Charles Bryant), O.Z. Whitehead (Mr. Perkins), Wendy Turner (Lallie Joy Popham), Harry Holcombe (Henry Lord), Hilda Plowright (Mary), Paul E. Burns (Drinker), Norman Leavitt (Barber), Eddie Quillian (Mailman), Jan Stine (Mr. Perkins' Son)
Producers: Walt Disney, Ron Miller
Music: Buddy Baker
Songwriters: Richard and Robert Sherman
Cinematographer: William Snyder
Editor: Robert Stafford
Art Director: Carrol Clarke, Robert Clatworthy
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, Frank R. McKelvy
Special Effects Artists: Peter Ellenshaw, Eustace Lycett
Costume Designer: Bill Thomas
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer
Assistant Director: Austin Jewell
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Dean Thomas
Costumers: Chuck Keehne, Gertrude Casey
Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
-Michael J. Ruhland
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