Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks With a Circus

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

























Year Released:1960
Michael's Movie Grade:B

                                         History
After the huge unsuspected success of The Shaggy Dog, it seemed natural for Charles Barton to come back to direct another live action comedy for Disney. Not only had Charles Barton directed The Shaggy Dog for Disney but he had also directed episodes of Disney's Zorro TV show. My fellow Abbott and Costello fans might know Charles Barton for directing some of the best Abbott and Costello films, including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and The Time of Their Lives. Barton was not the only one returning to Disney for Toby Tyler. Also returning was child actor Kevin "Moochie" Corcoran who had previously been in Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog and The Mickey Mouse Club TV show. Also appearing in this film is Gene Sheldon and Henry Calvin from Disney's Zorro TV show. This would be the only Disney production Gene Sheldon would speak in as he usually played pantomime characters. This films credits state "Introducing Ollie Wallace". This is a joke as Oliver Wallace was a regular composer for Disney films. This film is the only time he acted in front of the camera (though he was the voice of Mr. Winky in the Disney animated feature The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad), appropriately enough he played the band leader here.

Much of this movie was shot at the Golden Oak Ranch. This is a ranch that the Disney studio still owns to this day. Other Disney films with scenes shot at this ranch include Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, The Parent Trap, Follow Me Boys, The Santa Clause, The Princess Dairies II, Pirates of the Caribbean II, and Pirates of the Caribbean III.

Toby Tyler was a huge success with critics. The critics loved the sweet simplicity of the story and this was one of the best reviewed Disney movies in years. The film did fairly well at the box office, but nowhere near how well The Shaggy Dog did the previous year.

The circus wagons used in this film would later be used for Disneyland parades.

                                                Review
Sweet, Charming simple movie.

The beauty of this film lies in it's simplicity. This simplicity works so much because it brings a childlike angle to a film about childhood. This movie works so well because it speaks directly to our inner child. This film is wish fulfillment for the inner child in all of us. We all wanted to be like Toby and have the adventures he had, and part of us still does.

Also the acting in this film is great. Henry Calvin was especially fantastic in this film but everybody was quite good. The direction for this movie was laid back, just the kind of direction a film like this should have. Also like all the Disney films of this era, this movie is lovely to look at.

On the downside is the monkey Mr. Stubbs. Despite the film's efforts, this character is not funny, sympathetic or particularly appealing. When this monkey is used for comedy he simply isn't funny at all. One emotional scene in this film doesn't work as well it should because the audience never really connected with this character. There is sadly too much of this character in an otherwise very enjoyable film.

Overall this movie is a sweet charming film that resonates with the child in all of us, and despite Mr. Stubbs' best efforts it is definitely a very good watch for all Disney fans.

                                                        Film Credits
Director: Charles Barton
Writers: Lillie Hayward, Bill Walsh
Based on the novel by James Otis Kaler

Cast: Kevin Corcoran (Toby Tyler), Henry Calvin (Ben Cotter), Gene Sheldon (Sam Treat), Bob Sweeney (Harry Tupper), Richard Eastham (Colonel Sam Castle), James Drury (Jim Weaver), Barbara Beaird (Mademoiselle Jeanette), Dennis Olivieri (Monsieur Ajax), Edith Evanson (Aunt Olive), Tom Fadden (Uncle Daniel), Ollie Wallace (Bandleader), Babs Graham (Aerialist), Del Graham (Aerialist), Dave Knupp (Aerialist),  Chet Brandenburg (Circus Worker),
William Challee (Jailbird), William Newell (Jailbird), John Cliff (Roustabout), James Dietrich (Circus Worker),  'Eddie Spaghetti' Emerson (Clown), Abe Goldstein (Clown), Duke Johnson (Clown), Harry C. Johnson (Clown), Ben Frommer (Audience Member), Sam Harris (Audience Member), Bob LaWandt (Audience Member), Ruth Lee (Audience Member), Robert Shayne (Audience Member), Olan Soule (Audience Member), Jess Kirkpatrick (Sherriff), Herbert Lytton (Townsman), James McDonald (Drummer), Michael McGreevey (Concession Worker), William Meader (Audience Member), Howard Negley (Ticket-Taker), Henry Rowland (Cook)
Producers: Bill Walsh, Walt Disney
Music: Buddy Baker, William Schaefer
Cinematography: William Snyder
Editor: Stanley E. Johnson
Art Directors: Carrol Clark, Stan Jolly
Costume Designers: Gertrude Casey, Alice Davis, Chuck Keenhne
Makeup Artist: Pat McNalley
Effects Artists: Ub Iwerks
Matte Artists: Peter Ellenshaw

                         Recourses Used 
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054390/
thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Toby%20Tyler
http://goldenoakranch.com/

-Michael J. Ruhland