Year Released:1964
Michael's Movie Grade:B+
History
A Tiger Walks was the third Disney feature directed by Norman Tokar. The Disney movies he had previously directed were Big Red and Savage Sam. The movie starred Brain Keith, who was already a Disney regular with such films as Moon Pilot, Ten Who Dared and The Parent Trap. It would feature Vera Miles in her first Disney film (she would later be in the Disney films Those Calloways and Follow Me Boys!), and it was the last Disney film for Disney regular Kevin Corcoran, who had been in such Disney movies as Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks at the Circus, Pollyanna, Swiss Family Robinson, Babes in Toyland, Bon Voyage and Savage Sam, had also been a regular on the Spin and Marty TV show (as Moochie), and had even provided voices for two of the studio's cartoon shorts Aquamaina (as Goofy's son), and Goliath II (as the title character).
This is the first movie to use a full grown tiger in its cast. Earlier movies all used a younger tiger, because they were easier to train. There was a sheet of glass that separated the cast and crew from the tiger. One time the tiger did break through this glass but it did not harm anyone.
The movie did not do very well at the box office and critics felt it was too slow paced and preachy and that it would only be of interest to kids.
ReviewVery well made movie with some really intelligent social commentary.
While this film is definitely a movie with a message, it never feels too preachy and the lesson seems to come out naturally from the story. Beyond just being an animal rights film, this movie also conveys a message of standing up for what you believe despite adversity. This may also sound like a simple lesson, but it is treated very well here. While this movie does have some corny parts, the messages are never dumbed down for the audience and the film acknowledges that standing up for these things is hard, and that it is very easy to get beaten down and give in. It is this that makes this more than just another save the animals flick, but a smart commentary. However that being said some of the government officials don't feel as flesh out as similar characters have been in previous Disney movies and there is little doubt that the message would have been even stronger, if these characters were given more depth. However with how good the message is presented, this really feels like me nitpicking.
The acting is definitely top notch here. The three main characters could not have been cast better. Honestly I could not see anyone but Pamela Franklin, Brain Keith and Vera Miles in these roles. While these are names I am quite familiar with, I never saw the actors just the characters. They are just so natural in the roles.
Definitely an excellent movie that deserves more attention.
Film CreditsDirector: Norman Tokar
Writer: Lowell S. Hawley
Cast: Pamela Franklin (Julie Williams), Brain Keith (Sheriff Williams), Vera Miles (Dorothy Williams), Sabu (Ram Sighn), Edward Andrews (Governor Robbins), Una Merkel (Mrs. Watkins), Peter Brown (Bern Goodman), Kevin Corocoran (Tom Hadley), Frank McHugh (Bill Watkins), Connie Glichrist (Liddy Lewis), Arthur Hunnicutt (Frank Lewis), Theodore Macuse (Josef Pietz), Frank Aletter (Joe Riley), Jack Albertson (Sam Grant), Donald May (Captain Anderson), Fred Alrich (Hunter), Tol Avery (Joe), Bill Baldwin (Radio Announcer), Rodney Bell (Newspaperman), Russ Bender (Hunter), Michael Fox (Interviewer), Tim Graham (Hunter), Harry Holcome (Zoo Drector), Warren J. Kemmerling (Kelso), Kenner G. Kemp (Reporter), Jon Lomer (Mr. Wilson), Matthew McCue (Townsman), Dal McKennon (Reporter), Harold Perry (Uncle Harry), Carl Prickett (Hunter), Tony Reagan (Reporter), Stafford Repp (Mr. Blonden), Jackie Searle (Advisor), Robert Shayne (Adviser), Charles Smith (Bartender), Michael Vandever (Observer), Charles Wagenheim (Man), Doodles Weaver (Bob Evans), Dan White (Charles Baker), Charlton Young (Colonel)
Producers: Walt Disney, Ron Miller
Music: Buddy Baker
Cinematographer: William Snyder
Editor: Grant K. Smith
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubrey Davis
Set Decorators: Emil Kuri, Frank McKlevin
Costume Design: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne
Make up Artist: Pt McNally
Hair Stylist: La Rue Matheron
Assistant Director: John C. Chulay
Resources UsedThe Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058657/?ref_=nv_sr_1
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/A%20Tiger%20Walks
-Michael J. Ruhland
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