Michael's Movie Grade:A+
Year Released: 1965
HistoryThose Calloways was directed by Norman Tokar, who had previously directed Big Red, Savage Sam and A Tiger Walks for the Disney studio. He may also be remembered by fans of 1950's and 60's TV for directing a whole 93 episodes of Leave it to Beaver. The writer was Louis Pelletier, who had previous written Big Red for the studio. The cast also features some returning faces familiar to Disney fans including Disney regulars Brain Keith and Ed Wynn as well as Vera Miles who had previously been in A Tiger Walks. However the most fascinating name to see here for fans of classic films is Max Steiner, who wrote the score. Steiner was one of the most prolific and best film composers of all time. He composed the scores for such films as Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, Lost Horizon, Dark Victory, The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Lost Patrol, The Letter and provided one of my favorite movie scores of all time with Now Voyager. This marked the last film he personally worked on and his only Disney film.
This movie was a big undertaking for the studio. Though some of it was shot in Vermont, the film's majority was shot on the studio backlot. This meant that a whole village set was built on this backlot including a lake. To complete the illusion 280,000 leaves were even painted, so that the film would look like Fall in Vermont.
The film did not do very well at the box office. With critics the film received very mixed reviews. Some critics absolutely loved the movie, while others found it a chore to sit through. Despite this though Walt knew the talent of those working behind the scenes and appreciated what they brought to the movie. Because of this he would team director ,Norman Tokar and writer, Louis Pellitier again for the later feature Follow Me Boys!.
ReviewIncredible film is dripping over with not only optimism but pure sincerity.
While this movie could have easily come off as cheap or corny, it never does. The reason for this is that both the characters and the setting feel so incredibly real. Never for a moment do you not believe what is happening on screen. This is shown to its best advantage with our lead character Cam Calloway. While he is a dreamer fighting up against a cynical world, he too has his own demons, particularly drinking. His wife is loving and faithful, but still doesn't always see how things can work out. While his son has a complicated relationship with a neighborhood girl, but still takes the time to always be there for his father. These characters are far from the stereotypes often found in these films and instead are real characters that never lose their believability. This is not hurt by the great cast portraying them. The whole town around them also feels just as real. Not for a second do you ever think this town could have existed only in a movie studio's backlot. Instead it feels as real as if you could take a trip to visit there right now. Adding to all this Max Steiner's last film score is a complete triumph. This score sweeps you into the action and the setting for this wonderful film perfectly. It is an amazing last hurrah for one of the movies' greatest composers.
This film is an absolute delight from start to finish and a must watch for every Disney fan. Hopefully one day it will get the attention it so rightfully deserves.
Film CreditsDirector: Norman Tokar.
Writer: Louis Pelletier
Based on a book by Paul Annixter.
Cast: Brain Keith (Cam Calloway), Vera Miles (Lydia Calloway), Brandon de Wilde (Bucky Calloway), Walter Brennan (Alf Simes), Ed Wynn (Ed Parker), Linda Evans (Bridie Mellott), John Larkin (Jim Mellott), Philip Abbott (Dell Fraser), Parley Baer (Doane Shattuck), Frank de Kova (Nigosha), Roy Roberts (E.J. Fletcher), John Qualen (Ernie Evans), Tom Skerritt (Whit Turner), Paul Hartman (Charley Evans), Russell Collins (Nat Perkins), John Davis Chandler (Ollie Gibbons), Chet Stratton (Phil Petrie), John Byrant (Doug), Frank Ferguson (Doctor), Renee Godfrey (Sarah Mellott), Kenner G. Kemp (Chauffeur)
Producers: Walt Disney, Winston Hibler
Music: Max Steiner
Cinematographer: Edward Coleman
Editor: Grant K. Smith
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, John B. Mansbridge
Special Effects: Eustace Lycett
Set Decorators: Emil Kuri, Hal Gausman
Costume Designer: Bill Thompson
Assistant Director: Tom Leetch
Hair Stylist: La Rue Matheron
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Dean Thomas
Matte Artist: Jim Fetherolf
Costumers: Chuck Keene, Gertrude Casey
Animal Unit: Lloyd Beebe, William R. Koehler
Resources UsedThe Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059796/?ref_=rvi_tt
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/2011/09/those-calloways-1965.html
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