Year Released:1964
Michael's Movie Grade:C
History
The Misadventures of Merlin Jones was originally planned as a two part episode of the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color TV series. However it ended up being released as a theatrical feature instead. It was also planned to be the last Disney film for two of the studio's biggest stars, Tommy Kirk and Annette Funicello. Annette's image was becoming too sexualized for the type of films she was doing at the Disney studio with the various beach movies she appeared in. Tommy Kirk on the other hand, had recently come out as a homosexual, which at this time was controversial to have at a studio that currently prided itself on it's family friendliness. However this would not end up being their last film for the studio.
The story came from writer Bill Walsh, who had previously written for such big name Disney movies as The Shaggy Dog and The Absent Minded Professor. Later the same year The Misadventures of Merlin Jones was released, Mary Poppins the most famous film he wrote for would come out. The screenplay though was written by Alfred and Helen Levitt. However the credits read "Tom & Helen August". The reason for this is that they were blacklisted by the House of In-American Activites (which interestingly Walt Disney was a member of) for being suspected of communist activities. This is the first of only two Disney films they worked on.
The film was directed by Robert Stevenson, who had already proven himself as one of Disney's most reliable live action directors, directing such films as Johnny Tremain, Old Yeller, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, Kidnapped, The Absent Minded Professor, In Search of Castaways and Son of Flubber. He would later direct such beloved Disney classics as Mary Poppins, The Love Bug and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. With this film being another zany comedy about a scientist it only seemed naturally to put the director of the hugely successful The Absent Minded Professor in the director's seat.
Critics called this one of the weakest Disney movies yet. A review in The New York Times stated "the quality is low even by television standards" and would go on to say "It's the kind of picture usually dismissed by shrugging, 'Well, at least the kids will like it.' Unless, that is, your children happen to be bright." However audiences didn't listen and it did quite well at the box office, especially considering the film's low budget. The following year the movie would get a sequel called The Monkey's Uncle, which ended up being the last Disney film for Tommy Kirk and Annette Funicello. The sequel would also be the only other Disney film writers Alfred and Helen Levitt would work on.
An enjoyable little comedy, hardly one of Disney's best films, but still good.
The best thing about this film is the characters and the actors portraying them. Merlin is a very likable guy and while he may be very smart, he doesn't always take the time to think things all the way through, as he gets to excited and loses that train of thought. This makes him an interesting character instead of just your typical movie boy genius. Tommy Kirk and Annette have fantastic chemistry and it is hard not to find their relationship likeable. Seasoned actors like Leon Ames and Stuart Erwin do as good as always.
However on the downside, for a comedy this film doesn't have much in the way of big laughs. There were times I chuckled watching this, but I hardly laughed out loud. As well as this the show's TV origins are too obvious as it is separated into two distantly different stories. It is kind of unexpected and a little jarring when these stories switch. However this film does have enough likability to not them hurt this film too much.
If you don't except a Disney comedy on par with, say The Parent Trap, and just want to watch an enjoyable little film, than this is worth a watch.
Film Credits
Director: Robert Stevenson
Story: Bill Walsh
Writers: Alfred and Helen Levitt
Cast: Tommy Kirk (Merlin Jones), Annette Funicello (Jennifer), Leon Ames (Judge Holmsby), Stuart Erwin (Captain Loomis), Alan Hewitt (Professor Shattuck), Connie Gilchrist (Mrs. Gossett), Del McKennon (Detective Hutchins), Norman Gruboski (Norman), Michael Fox (Kohner), Allan Hunt (Student), Burt Mustin (Bailiff), Kelly Thordsen (Muller)
Producers: Walt Disney, Ron Miller
Music: Buddy Barker
Songwriters: Richard and Robert Sherman
Cinematographer: Edward Colman
Editor: Cotton Warburton
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, William H. Tuntke
Assistant Director: Joseph L. McEveety
Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri
Costume Designers: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Hair Stylist: La Rue Matheron
Sound Artist: Robert O. Cook
Title Sequence: Bill Justice, Xavier Atenico
Animal Supervisor: Ralph Helfer
Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Misadventures%20of%20Merlin%20Jones%20%28The%29
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058355/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
http://www.nytimes.com/1964/03/26/misadventures-of-merlin-jones-opens.html?_r=0
-Michael J. Ruhland
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