Michael's Movie Grade:A+
Year Released: 1964
HistoryWhen Hayley Mills was growing up and turned into an adult, it became obvious that she could not always play the same Disney roles as she did earlier. An answer to this was The Moon-Spinners, a suspense movie inspired by the film work of Alfred Hitchcock. Hayley herself said that she didn't want to play little girls all the way into her twenties and was very happy about this role. The film was based off a book by Mary Stewart with the same name. The idea to adapt this book came from Walt's wife Lillian who had just read the book. After reading the book himself Walt knew this would be a perfect vehicle for the now grown up Hayley Mills (18 years old at this time).
The film was shot on the island of Crete as well as the Pinewood studios in England.
This movie marked the last film for actress Pola Negri. Negri had been a huge star in the silent era, however she had essentially retired from movies 21 years earlier in 1943. She later remembered that the main reason she agreed to be in this movie was because of Walt Disney himself. She felt Walt was a true gentleman and because of this he won her over to come out of retirement for one more movie. Negri made a small but important change to her character. The script said she would own a Siamese cat, but the actress felt she should instead have a cheetah.
Critics were not especially fond of the movie feeling that it was too clichéd and dull. Audiences didn't go see the movie and the film turned out to be a flop.
ReviewIncredibly fun movie is just pure entertainment.
The plot itself is propelled by what Alfred Hitchcock referred to as a McGuffin. This is something that is not all that important to the audience but is extremely important to the characters and moves the plot forward. Like in Alfred Hitchcock's best films, the McGuffin is used perfectly here. We are so fascinated by the characters and great scenes that we hardly notice it here, until after the movie is done. This is a movie with plenty of scenes that stay well implanted in an audience's mind long after watching the movie. These include a very tense scene with Nikki trapped in a windmill and the brilliant comedy aboard the ship (adding to this is that the comedy is equally propelling the suspense forward making all the more fun to watch). One reason these scenes work so well is that the characters are great. Luckily before the suspense we get to know these characters very well. This means when the suspense scenes come we are on the edge of our seat because we already like these characters. Even the minor characters have very well thought out personalities. It doesn't hurt that the movie has a fantastic cast. Also helping make this film so great is Paul Beeson's cinematography which is not only beautiful to look at but also pulls you into the suspense of the movie.
This is definitely a movie that needs more attention. It is highly entertaining from beginning to end, but sadly remains one of the Disney studio's most underappreciated films.
Film Credits Director: James Neilson.
Writer: Michael Dyne
Based on a book by Mary Stewart.
Cast: Hayley Mills (Nikki Ferris), Peter McEnery (Mark Camford), Eli Wallach (Stratos), Joan Greenwood (Frances Ferris), Irene Papas (Sophia), John Le Mesurier (Anthony Gamble), Paul Stassino (Lambis), Shelia Hancock (Cynthia Gamble), Michael Davis (Alexis), Pola Negri (Madame Habib), Andre Morell (Yacht Captain), George Pastell (Police Lieutenant), Tutte Lemkow (Orestes), Steve Plytas (Hearse Driver), Harry Tardios (Bus Driver), Pamela Barrie (Ariadne)
Producers: Walt Disney, Hugh Attwooll, Bill Anderson
Music: Ron Grainer
Songwriter: Terry Gilkyson
Cinematographer: Paul Beeson
Editor: Gordon Stone
Casting: Maude Spector
Art Director: Tony Masters
Assistant Art Director: John Graysmark
Costumer Designer: Anthony Mendelson
Make Up Artist: Harry Frampton
Hairdresser: A. G. Scott
Production Manager: Peter Manley
Assistant Directors: John Peverall, Arthur J. Vitarelli, Costas Ferris, Spyros SpyromiliosCameramen: David Harcourt, Michael Reed, John Wilcox
Sound Artists: Jonathan Bates, Gordon K. McCallum, Dudley Messenger, Otto Snel, Graham V. Hartstone
Special Effects Artists: Jimmy Harris, Garth Inns, Jimmy Ward, Jack WoodbridgeResources Used The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Moon-Spinners%20%28The%29
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058371/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Walking With Walt 1964 by Jim Fanning
-Michael J. Ruhland
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