Year Released: 1957
Michael's Movie Grade:A-
History
With the Disney studios success with westerns, naturally doing another on sounded quite good to Walt and the rest of the studio. However this time a fairly different type of source material was chosen. This other source material was Fred Gipson's classic book Old Yeller. The idea for this book being made into a Disney film came from Bill Anderson. Bill not only loved the book, but viewed this as an opportunity for him to be a producer. Walt would also hire the books writer to help write the screenplay. Unlike previous Disney westerns the focus of this film would not be the action, but rather the emotion of the film. This film would still feature actor Fess Parker, but not in as big of a role as he had played in previous Disney westerns. The film would instead star Tommy Kirk. This is the first out of many times he would act in a Disney feature. He also appeared in films like The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, The Absent Minded Professor, Babes in Toyland and quite a few more. He had however already acted for Disney in The Hardy Boys segments of The Mickey Mouse Club.
Chosen as director for this film was Robert Stevenson, a fairly newcomer at the Disney studio. His first time directing a Disney film had been Johnny Tremain, which was released earlier the same year this film was released.
While much of the Disney staff felt that the book's ending should be changed to a happier ending, Walt insisted the ending from the book be used, stating "The Kids'll cry, but it's important for them to know that life isn't all happy endings".
Some special previews, all over the U.S. A., of the film allowed people to bring their dogs to the theater with them. At these theaters dog treats were offered at the concession stands and the bathrooms were even modified to suit dogs as well as humans. Outside the theaters were both dogcatchers and veterinarians to make sure everything went according to plan.
Old Yeller was a huge hit with both audiences and critics, one of the biggest the studio had had with a live action film at this time.
Review
Fantastic film. Very charming from beginning to end.
What really makes this film work is the likability of the characters and the nice calm atmosphere. This film is nostalgic in the best way. Also we really get to care about Old Yeller, mostly because we like the character of Travis so much. Because of this we like the dog the more Travis learns to like him.
Now most people are aware of one heartbreaking scene in this film. This scene has gotten this fame for a reason. It is extremely well done and very emotionally effective.
Just a great movie.
Film Credits
Director: Robert Stevenson
Writers: William Tunberg, Fred Gipson
Based off the book by Fred Gipson
Cast: Tommy Kirk (Travis Coates), Spike (Old Yeller), Dorothy McGuire (Katie Coates), Kevin Corcoran (Arliss Coates), Jeff York (Bud Searcy), Beverly Washburn (Lisbeth Searcy), Chuck Connors (Burn Sanderson), Fess Parker (Jim Coates), Jerome Courtland (Singer)
Producers: Bill Anderson, Walt Disney
Music: Oliver Wallace, Will Schaefer, Evelyn Kennedy, Clifford Vaughan
Songwriters: Hazel George, Oliver Wallace
Cinematographer: Charles P. Boyle
Editor: Stanley E. Johnson
Art Director: Carroll Clark
Sets: Emile Kuri, Fred M. MacLean
Costume Designers: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne
Makeup Artists: Pat McNalley, Elaine Stone
Second Unit Director: Yakima Canutt
Assistant Director: Robert G. Shannon
Sound Department: Robert O. Cook, Frank McWhorter
Painter: Peter Ellenshaw
Stunt Artist: Joe Canutt
Wranglers: Lionel Comport, George Guessford
Dog Trainers: Frank Weatherwax, Rudd Weatherwax
Resources Used
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050798/?ref_=ttsnd_snd_tt
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Old%20Yeller
Walt Disney: An American Original By Bob Thomas
The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life by Steven Watts
-Michael J. Ruhland
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