Year Released:1957
Michael's Movie Grade:A-
History
Johnny Tremain was originally going to be a two part episode of the Disneyland TV show. However as the episodes went over budget, Walt decided to release it as a theatrical feature instead. Assistant director William Beaudine Jr. later stated about this film "We did shorten the schedule, but it was very difficult to economize to the point of making it practical just for television release, because Walt Disney expected top quality."
This film was the first time Robert Stevenson had directed a Disney film. Robert Stevenson would soon become one of the most important Disney live action directors, directing such films as Old Yeller, The Absent Minded Professor, Mary Poppins, The Love Bug, Darby O Gill and the Little People and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. However before coming to Disney he already had a fairly good career as a director, directing such films as Jane Eyre and Meet Me in Los Vegas.
This film was also the only feature film Hal Stalmaster appeared in. Other than this he played characters that only appeared in one episode of TV shows like My Three Sons, and The Rebel. In this film we also see an old friend, Launa Patten, who was the first actress to have a contract with the Disney studio. This is the first time she had played a more grown up role for the Disney studio.
It was originally planned to have an area of Disneyland based off this film. That area was going to be called Liberty Street. This area never came to be. However the idea would appear in Walt Disney World in 1971 as Liberty Square. In the center of Liberty Square is the Liberty Tree, which has lanterns hanging from it just like the Liberty Tree in this film.
It is unfortunately very hard to find whether this film did well at the box office or with critics.
Review
Fantastic film is entertaining and engaging from beginning to end.
The characters in this film are fantastic, as none of them are black and white, but instead fully fleshed out characters. All of these characters are very well thought out and quite likable. This is only improved by the great performances given here. Hal Stalmaster is great and it is sad his career never went any further. Time has only made Launa Patten a better actress.
This film also has a fantastic atmosphere. Like most Disney films from this era it is a treat to look at. However this great look is completely in service to the story line, That it is in the service of a very good story only helps that. Adding to the atomsphere is the great song Sons of Liberty.
The patriotism and uplifting spirit in this film are very contagious and it is hard to leave this film without feeling good.
Overall this is a very good film that I highly recommend.
Film Credits
Director: Robert Stevenson
Writer: Thomas W. Blackburn
Based on the book Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Cast: Hal Stalmaster (Johnny Tremain), Luana Patten (Priscilla Lapham), Jeff York (James Otis), Sebastian Cabot (Jonathan Lyte), Richard Beymer (Rab Silsbee), Rusty Lane (Samuel Adams), Walter Sande (Paul Revere), Whit Bissell (Josiah Quincy), Walter Coy (Dr. Joseph Warren), Will Wright (Ephraim Lapham), Virginia Christine (Mrs. Lapham), Ralph Clanton (Gen. Gage), Lumsden Hare (Adm. Montagu), Gavin Gordon (Col. Smith), Geoffrey Toone (Maj. Pitcairn), Walter Bacon (Townsman), Paul Bradley (Spectator), John Breen (Spectator), Dick Cherney (British Soldier), Jack Clinton (Officer), John Close (Ship Captain), Cyril Delevanti (Robert Newman), George DeNormand (Spectator), Sharon Disney (Dorcus), Robert Foulk (Mr. Larkin), David Frankham (Officer), Anthony Ghazlo Sr.(Jehu), James Gonzalez (Council Member), Dabbs Greer (Nat Lorne), Chuck Hamilton (Mate), Robin Hughes (Officer), Whitey Hughes (Spectator), Michael Jeffers (Spectator), William F. Kraemer (Silversmith), Frank McLure (Spectator), William H. O'Brien (Spectator), Paul Palmer (British Soldier), House Peters Jr. (Commander), Dick Rich (Constable Hooper), John Roy (Soldier), George Russell (Spectator), Charles Smith (Caleb), Robert Stevenson (Sentry)
Producer: Walt Disney
Music: George Bruns
Songwriters: George Bruns, Thomas W. Blackburn
Cinematographer: Charles P. Boyle
Editor: Stanley E. Johnson
Production Designer: Peter Ellenshaw
Art Director: Carroll Clark
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, Fred M. MacLean
Costume Designers: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne
Makeup Artists: Lois Murray, David Newell
Assistant Director: William Beaudine Jr.
Special Effects: Ub Iwerks
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Frank McWhorter
Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
-Michael J. Ruhland
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