The Living Desert

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Movie Grade:C
Year Released: 1953
                                                           History
One thing that has to be remembered when talking about Walt Disney was that he was a constant experimenter. One of his biggest experiments was for the Disney studio to make live-action nature documentaries. Nearly everyone but Walt felt that this was a bad idea, but Walt persisted with it anyway. This series was dubbed The True Life Adventures. The first of these films was a short called Seal Island. RKO was not sure how to distribute that film as they felt it was too short for a feature and too long for a short. However this was released and it won an academy award. That short was directed by James Algar. James Algar had been a Disney animator on films like Snow White, and had also directed The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment of Fantasia. He was initially surprised when asked to direct live action nature documentaries, but Walt saw this talent in him. He would direct many True Life Adventures, including the film we are discussing here, The Living Desert. Also to work on True Life Adventures was Ben Sharpsteen, who had directed such animated Disney classics as Pinocchio and Dumbo. He would mainly work as a producer though he did direct some True Life Adventures.

RKO didn't like the True Life Adventures from the start, and didn't want the studio to keep making them. Walt grew tired of trying to please RKO. Therefore he created the Buena Vista Distribution Company. The Living Desert along with it's accompanying short film, a delightful cartoon called Ben and Me, became the first Disney films to be distributed by the Buena Vista Distribution Company. RKO would distribute a few Disney films after this but not many. RKO would close in 1957.

A UCLA student named N. Paul Kenworthy JR. had been studying in the American desert for a doctoral thesis. For this assignment he filmed his subject. Walt saw this film and decided it's photographer and it's subject matter would both be used for the first feature length True Life Adventure. Kenworthy would not only help photograph this film but he would also photograph for the next feature length True Life Adventure, The Vanishing Prairie, and co-direct the Disney feature Perri, which was also the first and only True Life Fantasy, and featured a lot of wildlife photography. He also later helped create the snorkel camera system for Daniel Petrie's 1973 Si-Fi film, The Neptune Factor.

The Living Desert became a huge box office success, and it even received an academy award for best documentary feature. The film also won an award at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival and another award at the Berlin Film Festival. This pleased Walt greatly because he had proven all those who didn't want him to make nature documentaries wrong. However not everybody was happy with the film. Critics were upset by the film inserting comedic narration. They were even more upset by a scene where through trick photography the film makers made it look like two scorpions were doing a square dance. They felt these devices betrayed the whole purpose of a nature documentary. Walt took these criticisms to heart and tried to avoid using these or similar devices in future True Life Adventures.

The Living Desert left a big impact on film history. It helped popularize feature length nature documentaries. It also lead to many more Disney nature documentary features, many of which are still being made today.

                                                              Review
Incredible nature photography, and less than incredible narration, and comedic moments.

Again the photography is incredible. It shows us nature's great artistry very well. It also shows that even in a desert, where one doesn't except to look for beauty it can be found. Certain images in this film are breathtaking, and need to be seen by all nature lovers. It amazes me how they were even able to get some of these incredible shots.

The narration and comedy are very unfortunate. Winston Hibler's narration could have honestly just been dropped. At times it feels like a boring school lecture we have had to sit through. It is just honestly not that entertaining or informative. At other times he is telling really bad jokes. Though these are not as cringe-worthy as the scorpion square dance. It is sad that these were added to what was otherwise a really good film. The photography is excellent and the film really didn't need to add anything to it. Especially since films like Dziga Vertov's The Man with a Movie Camera, have shown that great art can be made simply out of film photography.

Disney would make better feature length nature documentaries in the future, but this was a good if faulted start.

                                     Film Credits
Director: James Algar

Writers: James Algar, Winston Hibler, Ted Sears, Jack Moffitt

Narrator: Winston Hibler

Producers: Walt Disney, Ben Sharpsteen

Music: Paul J. Smith, Edward H. Plumb

Photographers: Robert H. Crandall, Paul Kenworthy, Don Arlen, Jack Couffer, Stuart V. Jewell, Tad Nichols

Editor: Norman R. Palmer

Sound Department: C.O. Slyfield, Harold J. Steck

Special Effects: John Hench, Ub Iwerks, Joshua Meador, Art Riley


                                          Resources Used
The Disney Films By Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046008/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Living%20Desert%20%28The%29


-Michael J. Ruhland

The Sword and the Rose

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Movie Grade:B+
Year Released: 1953


                                            History
When The Sword and the Rose began production Walt wanted to keep the same crew from The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men aboard. As such this film would as be directed by Ken Annakin, produced by Perce Pearce, written by Lawrence Edward Watkin, contain art direction by Cameron Dillon and star Richard Todd. This film would once again be made in Britain, because of money Walt had over there that he could not spend in the U.S.. Director Ken Annakin and art director Cameron Dillion were flown over to the U.S. to have a meeting with Walt and talk about the film. They were amazed at how efficient Walt was at going over the scripts and storyboards. Walt knew exactly what he wanted before filming had even started. Walt had a personal impact on ever scene in the film. The crew was allowed much freedom with some of the dialog however. A reason for this freedom was because Walt could not work directly with the actors since it was being filmed in Britain. One reason Walt was so passionate about this film is that he felt with it being a live-action costume drama, this could be his chance to win a best picture Oscar, this however was not the case.

With the basis of what this film would be about Walt Disney and Ken Annakin saw much room for incorporating paintings into the film. As such many of the backgrounds are paintings by Peter Ellenshaw, who would later work with Disney on Darby O' Gill and the Little People , 2000 Leagues Under the Sea, Mary Poppins and The Absent Minded Professor. Peter Ellenshaw was living in England at this time, but he would later move to the U.S. so that he could work more for the Disney Studio. He provided over 60 paintings to this film.

The Sword and the Rose did not do well in either Britain or the U.S.. The British were unhappy with how many liberties were taken with their history, and Americans just didn't see it. It didn't fare much better with critics, and it remains one of Disney's least known works to this day.

                                                     Review
What this film lacks in historical accuracy it more than makes up for in charm and sophistication. It is a delightful love story, that deserves to be better known among Disney fans. Part of the reason I think it isn't better known is because it is low on action, and high on romance, and therefore wouldn't be as exciting to Disney's younger fans. However for Disney's older fans it is a delight to watch.

The leads, Richard Todd and Glynis Johns, have great chemistry, and you really believe they are in love. Peter Ellenshaw's paintings are quite beautiful to look at, and they complement the rest of the film perfectly. Also complementing the film perfectly is Clifton Parker's music.

The love story itself is quite charming, and Princess Mary, our female lead, is a very well written character. Though the film is low on action, it does have a very exciting finale, which works all the more because, we took the time to get to know these characters well before any big action scene takes. However this finale goes by pretty fast.

Overall this is a lovely film that deserves more attention than it gets.


                                                      Film Credits
Director: Ken Annakin

Writer: Lawrence Edward Watkin

Based on the novel When Knighthood was in Flower by Charles Major

Cast: Glynis Johns (Princess Mary), Richard Todd (Charles Brandon), James Robertson Justice (King Henry), Michael Gough (Duke of Buckingham), Rosalie Crutchley (Queen Katherine), D.A. Clarke-Smith (Cardinal Wolsey), Ernest Jay (Lord Chamberlain), John Vere (Lawyer Clerk), Philip Lennard (Chaplain), Bryan Coleman (Earl of Surrey), Phillip Glasier (Royal Falconer), Jean Mercure (King Louis), Gérard Oury (Dauphin of France), Fernand Fabre (Ambassador of France), Robert Le Béal (Physician), Gaston Richer (Grand Chancellor), Helen Goss (Princess Claude), Patrick Cargill (Diplomat), Anthony Sharp (Dipomat), Caven Watson (Captain Bradhurst), Richard Molinas (Father Pierre), Hal Osmond (Costermonger), Norman Pierce (Innkeeper), Douglas Bradley-Smith (Squire), Ewen Solon (Guardsman), Rupert Evans (Bargeman), Paddy Ryan (Bargeman), Thomas Heathcote (Wrestling Second), Arthur Brander (First Mate), Russell Waters (Sailor), John Serret (Squire), Bob Simmons (Champion)

Producers: Walt Disney, Perce Pearce

Music: Clifton Parker (Composer), Muir Mathieson (Conductor), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Performers)

Art Director: Carmen Dillon

Assistant Art Director: Vernon Dixon

Cinematographer:  Geoffrey Unsworth

Film Editor: Gerald Thomas

Assistant Editors: Peter Boita, Charles Squires

Casting Director: Weston Drury Jr.

Costume Designer: Valles

Makeup Department: Biddy Chrystal, Geoffrey Rodway

Production Manager: Douglas Peirce

Assistant Directors: Peter Bolton, Alex Bryce, Colin M. Brewer, Peter Manley

Draughtsmen: Ernest Archer, Ron Benton, John Box, Ted Clements, Geoffrey Drake, Bruce Grimes, Stephen B. Grimes, Roger Ramsdell, Roy Walker

Sound Department: Bill Daniels, E.G. Daniels, C. Le Mesurier, Gordon K. McCallum, Dudley Messenger

Painter: Peter Ellenshaw

Assistant Painter: Albert Whitlock

Camera Department: David Harcourt, Cyril J. Knowles, John Cabrera , Steve Clayan, Bob Kindred,
George Courtney Ward

         
                                                  Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046387/?ref_=ttsnd_snd_tt
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Sword%20and%20the%20Rose%20%28The%29


-Michael J. Ruhland

Peter Pan

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland










Year Released:1953
Michael's Movie Grade:A+
 

                                             History
           Peter Pan was a film that was long in the making. Walt Disney had first tried to obtain the rights to the source material in 1935. In 1939, he would get the rights.  Walt Disney had an int rest in this story for most of his life. He even played Peter Pan in a school play. Peter Pan was one of the first ideas for a Disney feature, however due to many revisions, and the financial trouble for Disney during World War 2 (which would lead to the package features), it would become Disney's 20th feature. However you can see early work for the film in the background of The Reluctant Dragon, a Disney film released 12 years earlier.

The original idea was to start the film with a detailed retelling of Peter's backstory, but at a story meeting in 1940, Walt stated that he felt that they should get rid of this and start the story with Peter meeting the Darling children. This was done both to get the movie going and because much of Peter's backstory is unimportant to the story of the film. Another early story idea was to have Peter kidnap Wendy. Walt again decided against this as he felt it was too dark and made Peter unlikable. The early story ideas were in fact much darker in general involving Captain Hook's death, Mr. and Mrs. Darling mourning over their children which they presumed were lost  and a very creepy scene involving the children finding the pirate's treasure.

After Disney fell into financial trouble around 1941 Peter Pan was put on hold and work on the film would not resume until 1947. Part of this long break was also due to Roy Disney not thinking this film could do well at the box office. In 1949 a live-action reference film was shot. Posing for Tinkerbell in this reference film was Marget Kelly, and some sources even state that her design goes back to 1943. Either way it is near impossible for the character to actually be modeled after Marilyn Monroe as has been a persistent rumor. In 1943, Marilyn had not yet appeared in a single film, and by 1949 she had only appeared in very small roles.

An important role film holds is that this is the last Disney film for both animator Fred Moore and actor Bobby Driscoll. Fred Moore was one of the great Disney animators. He had redesigned Mickey to make him fit better into the more elaborate Disney animation of the 1930's and 40's, was the principal animator on the classic short The Three Little Pigs, the supervising animator on the Dwarfs in Snow White and Timothy in Dumbo, and animated the terrifying scene of Lampwick turning into a donkey in Pinocchio. In Peter Pan, he provided animation for the mermaids. He would die in a car crash before the film was finished. Bobby Driscoll was along with Luana Patten, one of the first two actors to have an exclusive contract with Disney, and the two were beginning of  Disney's long stream of child actors. Driscoll was a live action actor for Disney with Peter Pan being the only time he would voice an animated character for the studio. Here he would voice the title character, Peter Pan himself. Bobby was also the live action reference for the character.

This film broke most of the set rules for doing an adaption of Peter Pan. Peter was not played by a girl. Tinkerbell was not presented as a flash of light. The audience was not told to shout that they believe in Fairies. However the played by one rule. That was that Mr. Darling and Captain Hook had to be played by the same person. They were both voiced by Hans Conried here.

The film's directors would include the same three who directed Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland. The three are Hamilton Luske, Clyde Germonimi, and Wilfred Jackson. Also directing is Jack Kinney. As a director of shorts Kinney had proven himself great at fast paced slapstick humor, making him a perfect director for Peter Pan.

All of Disney's Nine Old Men would animate on this film. Again they would be cast by character. Frank Thomas and Wolie Reitherman for Captain Hook, Ollie Johnson for Smee (a self-caricature), Marc Davis for Tinkerbell, Milt Kahl for Peter and the Darling Children, Ward Kimball for the Indians,  EiLason on M. Darling and so forth.

Peter Pan was the highest grossing film of 1953. Although some felt it strayed too far from the source material, it for the most part loved by the critics as well.

                         

 
                                                       Review
Excellent adventure film, stands out as one of the funnest Disney movies.

Peter Pan has what is possibly the best slapstick humor in any Disney feature. Everything with Hook, Smee and the crocodile is priceless. These jokes are fast well animated and most importantly very funny. The facial expressions during these scenes are just as funny as the jokes are.

Past that this is just a very likable film. Wendy is a great lead character, and again Kathrine Beaumont helps add more likability to this character, though this character is better written than Alice. The rest of the Darling family is also very likable. Hook is a great villain, both very funny and threatening. Smee is a very funny character due both to Ollie Johnson's animation and Bill Thompson's voice work. many have brought up that Peter himself can be a bit of a jerk at times, however I think this works to the film's advantage. As it gives Wendy both a message about keeping her childish side, and knowing when it's important to be grown up. Both these sides are very important and I think this film through Peter shows that perfectly. Also adding to the likability is how well the musical numbers fit into the film. There is not one musical number that is not part of the plot. They all advance the plot rather than interrupting it. Also again those familiar with Mary Blair's art will see it all over this film and love it.

Overall this is an excellent film that is simply very fun.

                                              Film Credits

 Directors: Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Jack Kinney

Writers: Ted Sears, Erdman Penner, Bill Peet, Winston Hibler, Joe Rinaldi, Milt Banta, Ralph Wright, William Cottrell

Based on the play Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Voice Cast:  Bobby Driscoll (Peter Pan), Kathryn Beaumont (Wendy), Hans Conried (Hook, George Darling), Bill Thompson (Mr. Smee, other Pirates), Heather Angel (Mary Darling), Paul Collins (John), Tommy Luske (Michael), Candy Candido (Indian Chief), June Foray (Mermaid, Squaw), Connie Hilton (Mermaid), Margaret Kerry  (Mermaid), Johnny McGovern (Lost Boy), Jeffrey Silver (Lost Boy), Stuffy Singer (Lost Boy), Robert Ellis (Lost Boy), Tony Butala (Lost Boy), Tom Conway (Narrator)

Producer: Walt Disney

Music: Oliver Wallace

Songwriters: Sammy Fain, Sammy Cahn, Oliver Wallace, Ted Sears Winston Hibler, Erdman Penner

Sound Department: Robert O. Cook, C.O. Slyfield, Harold J. Steck

Editor: Donald Halliday

 Color Styling:  Mary Blair, John Hench, Claude Coats, Don Da Grad

Effects Animators: George Rowley, Joshua Meador, Dan MacManus, Blaine Gibson

Other Special Effects: Ub Iwerks

Layout Artists: Charles Philippi, McLaren Stewart, Tom Codrick, A. Kendall O'Connor, Hugh Hennesy, Ken Anderson, Don Griffith, Al Zinnen, Thor Putnam, Lance Nolley

Background Artists: Ralph Hulett, Ray Huffine, Art Riley, Thelma Witmer, Al Dempster, Dick Anthony, Dick Anthony, Eyvind Earle, Brice Mack, Art Landy

Supervising Animators:Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, Wolfgang Reitherman, Ward Kimball, Ollie Johnston, Marc Davis, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Les Clark, Norm Ferguson

Animators: Hal Ambro, Bob Carlson, Eric Cleworth, Hugh Fraser, Jerry Hathcock, Bill Justice, Hal King, Don Lusk, Fred Moore, Cliff Nordberg, Ken O'Brien, Art Stevens, Harvey Toombs, Clair Weeks, Judge Whitaker, Marvin Woodward

                                                 Resources Used

http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Peter%20Pan

http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon-characters/30-Peter-Pan

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046183/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

The Animated Movie Guide by Jerry Beck (contrubiting writer Martian Goodman)



-Michael J. Ruhland