Almost Angels

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland














Michael's Movie Grade: A-
Year Released: 1962

                                                   History
Almost Angels is the first Disney film to be made in Austria. Appropriately it is about the Vienna Boys choir, because like the films the studio made in Britain the studio almost always had any film shot overseas have a story that needs to take place there.

The film was directed by Steve Previn and this is not only the only theatrical feature he made for Disney, but his only theatrical feature in the English language. He did however also direct episodes of the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color TV show. The writer was Vernon Harris (who would later write the 1968 film Oliver), and this is the only Disney film he wrote. The story was based off a story by Robert A. Stammie, one that was never published.

As the film was shot in Austria, it did not feature many of Disney's regular staple of actors. Though Vincent Winter had a brief role in Greyfrairs Bobby and would later be in The Three Lives of Thomasina, as well as a few episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color and Sean Scully had been in some episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.

Almost Angels was released in theaters as a double feature with Lady and the Tramp (Advertisements said "Mischievous Dogs and Mischievous Boys!") That guaranteed that the film would be a box office success and it was. The film also received very positive reviews from critics. Overseas the film was titled Born to Sing.

                                                  

                                    

                                                         Review

This film may be quite corny and sentimental, but if you allow yourself to get sucked into the sentimentality, you are in for a treat as this is a fantastic film.

One thing that is so good about this film is the characters. These characters are very well thought out and relatable. You actually feel proud of them at times, which is something hard for a film to do. The characters worries and goals are very relatable even if you don't have an interest in the subject (though I personally find the subject interesting). Through the characters, the film brings up a theme about the fear of growing up, and not being a kid anymore. While this is looked at in a very lighthearted fashion, there is depth and maturity to how this theme is treated, but it never once takes away from the lighthearted fun of the film.

Like all Disney films of this time, the movie looks fantastic. The sets and cinematography are just a joy to look at, but still never get in the way of the story. This film also features a good sense of humor. Though it may not always be laugh out loud funny, none of the jokes miss, and quite a few really work.

Overall a fantastic film.

                                                           Film Credits
Director: Steve Previn
Writer: Vernon Harris
Based on a story by Robert E. Stemmie
Cast: Vincent Winter (Tony Fiala), Sean Scully (Peter Schaefer), Peter Wreck (Max Heller), Hans Holt (Doctor Eisinger),
Bruni Löbel (Tony's mom), Fritz Eckhardt (Tony's dad), Denis Gilmore (Friedel Schmidt), Hennie Scott (Ferdie), Gunthur Philip (Radio Announcer), Hermann Furthmosek (Chiormaster), Hans Christian (Chiormaster), Walter Regelsberger (Chiormaster), Heinz Grohmann (Music Teacher), Heidi Grübl (Seamstress), Bernard Hindinger (Felix Meinl), Gerda Maren (Sister-nurse),
Rose Renée Roth (Wardrobe Mistress), Anni Schönhuber (Woman), Elisabeth Stiepl (Mother), Walter Varndal (Math Teacher), Wiener Sängerknaben (Choir Boy), Oskar Willner (Monsignore), Liselotte Wrede (Woman)
Producers: Walt Disney, Peter V. Herald
Cinematographer: Kurt Grigolet
Music: Heinz Schreiter
Editor: Alfred Srp
Art Directors: Isabella Schlichting, Werner Schlichting
Costume Designer: Leo Bei
Makeup Artists: Leopold Kuhnert, Rudolph Ohlschmidt
Production Managers: Willy Egger, Robert Russ
Assistant Director: Rudolph Nussgruber
Sound Artists: Herbert Janeczka, Kurt Schwarz
Cameramen: Herbert Geier, Hermann Meroth

                                       Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055740/?ref_=nv_sr_1
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Almost%20Angels

-Michael J. Ruhland

                               

Big Red

History and Review written by Michael J. Ruhland















Year Released:1962
Michael's Movie Grade: A-

                                              History
Big Red marked the first theatrically released film and the first film for Disney to be directed by Norman Tokar. Tokar had previously been a director for TV shows including Leave it to Beaver and The Donna Reed Show. Films he would go on to direct for the Disney studio would include Savage Sam, A Tiger Walks, Those Callaways, The Ugly Dachshund, Follow Me Boys, The Happiest Millionaire, The Horse in the Grey Flannel Suit, Rascal, The Boatnics, Snowball Express, The Apple Dumpling Gang, No Deposit No Return, Candleshoe and The Cat From Outer Space. Big Red was also the first Disney film for writer Louis Pelletier. Pelletier would later write Those Calloways, Follow Me Boys, The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit, Smith and Run Cougar Run for the studio.

Big Red is not only the only Disney film to feature child actor Gilles Payant, but the only film he appeared in. This is also the only time Walter Pigeon appeared on screen in a Disney movie (though he would narrate Rascal). Most of the actors in this movie are Canadian actors who appeared in very few films. This was because much of the film was shot in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada  (the rest was shot in Big Bear Lake in California and the Disney Studio (on sets of course).

Big Red received decent reviews from critics (but not great ones), but didn't do well at the box office.

                                                                

Review

Extremely atmospheric, warm and relaxing movie, and just an all around fantastic film.

This movie is great for quite a few reasons. One is definitely the pacing. This is a slower paced movie, but it is never too slow that it gets boring. Instead this slower pace just draws you into the movie even more. It creates a relaxing feeling that is hard to resist. Another reason is the characters. The main characters are given enough time to be fully fleshed out and are very likable snd warm on top of that. The supporting characters aren't that fleshed out but remain likable all the way through. The acting only makes this better. The story is really simple but there is a beauty in this simplicity. All this comes together to make a very charming film.

Definitely a film that deserves much more attention than it gets.

Note: Has anyone noticed Walter Pidgeon looks a lot like Walt Disney in this film.

Film Credits

Director: Norman Tokar

Writer: Louis Pelletier

Based on a book by Jim Kjelgaard

Cast: Walter Pigeon (James Haggin), Gilles Payant (Rene Dumont), Émile Genest (

Emile Fornet), Janette Bertrand (Therese Fornet), Georges Bouvier (Baggageman), Doris Lussier (Farmer Mariot),  Rolland Bédard (Conductor), Teddy Burns Goulet (Engineer) Producers: Walt Disney Winston Hibler, Erwin L. Verity Music: Oliver Wallace, Evelyn Kennedy, Walter Sheets Songwriters: Richard and Robert Sherman Cinematographer: Edward Colman Editor: Grant K. Smith Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubrey Davis Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri Costume Designer: Chuck Keehne Makeup Artist: Pat MacNalley Assistant Director: Arthur J. Vitarelli Second Unit Director: Jack Couffer Cameraman: Travers Hill Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Dean Thomas Dog Trainer: William K. Koehler

Resources Used The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055793/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Big%20Red -Michael J. Ruhland

Bon Voyage

History and Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland

















Year Released: 1962
Michael's Movie Grade: B+

                                                          History
Naturally with the success the Disney studio was having with live action comedies, due to films like The Shaggy Dog and The Absent Minded Professor, Walt knew that this type of film would become a staple of the studio. However with Bon Voyage the Disney studio decided to try something different. This was a live action Disney comedy, but the humor was not very slapstick based or aimed at kids. This was in fact a Disney comedy that would actually bring up such subjects as loss of virginity and prostitution. While never stated directly this ideas aren't exactly hidden either (conversation about a young girl who had her virtue taken away from her for instance).

This was the second Disney feature directed by James Neilson. His first for the studio was Moon Pilot, which was the Disney theatrical feature right before this. He would later direct Summer Magic, The Moon Spinners and The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin for the studio. The film was written by Bill Walsh, who had previously written the Disney films The Littlest Outlaw, The Shaggy Dog, Toby Tyler and The Absent Minded Professor. He would later write a little film for Disney called Mary Poppins. 

The cast should be very familiar to fans of Disney films from this era. Fred MacMurray had previously been in The Shaggy Dog and The Absent Minded Professor, and would later be in Son of Flubber, Follow Me Boys and The Happiest Millionaire. Tommy Kirk and Kevin "Moochie" Corcoran once again play brothers here as they had in Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog and Swiss Family Robinson. They would again play brothers in Savage Sam. Jane Wyman has her second and last role in a Disney film here (she was in Pollyanna earlier). This is Deborah Walley's second feature film (her first was Gidget Goes Hawaiian), and her first appearance in a Disney film, she later appeared in Summer Magic.

Because the movie takes place there much of the film was filmed in Paris, France. This was the first Disney film filmed there. The scenes aboard a cruise ship were filmed on the S.S. United States, a 990 foot long ship and the first ship built almost entirely out of drydock. This ship (which had it's first trip in 1952) can still be seen in Philadelphia. 

Critics did not like this movie, they felt it was too long and too boring for smaller audiences, while being too simple for older audiences (If they could only see much of what is being made for older audiences now, but I digress). This however did not stop it from doing well at the box office.          

                                                                      

                                                            

                                                            Review

A thoroughly delightful comedy-drama and an excellent film.

This is a film full of charm. The main characters are all very likable, the performances from the actors are great, the location shooting is fantastic, there are some quite funny moments, and most importantly the film flows very well as a whole. There are times that this movie can bee a bit episodic, but that works to the film's advantage. At times the movie does just feel like a nice vacation, partly because of this. The romances are believable and you really find yourself actually caring about them. Most of all though the film just has a real pleasantness to it. This is hugely because the film takes it's time and lets us soak in the great sense of atmosphere this movie has.

Though this movie does feature a few risqué moments for a Disney film, they are handled very tastefully. Never does the film descend into vulgarity. There is actually quite a bit of suability especially to a scene involving a prostitute (that is quite funny as well). I will say for those with you kids, they most likely will not get these risqué scenes at all, and will probably be bored by them instead. Adult (and maybe teen) Disney fans, though may find it refreshing considering all the extreme vulgarity you can see in movies today.P

On the downside I think by this time Kevin Corcoran was too old to be playing the type of roles he had played in previous Disney films, and he is playing one here. He plays it well and he does get a few laughs in but he is simply to old for the part. Also there is a scene involving a sewer that goes on too long. However these are minor problems with an excellent movie.

                                                          Film Credits
Director: James Neilson
Writer: Bill Walsh
Based off a book by Joseph and Marrijane Hayes
Cast: Fred MacMurray (Harry Willard), Jane Wyman (Katie Willard), Tommy Kirk (Elliott Willard), Deborah Walley (Amy Willard), Kevin Corcoran (Skipper Willard), Michael Callan (Nick O'Mara), Jessie Royce Landis (Countessa DuFresne), Georgette Anys (Madame Clebert), Ivan Desny (Rudolph Hunschak), Françoise Prévost (Girl), Alex Gerry (Horace Bidwell), Howard Smith (Judge Henderson), Max Showalter (Man), James Millhollin (Ship's Liberian), Marcel Hillaire (Sewer Guide), Richard Wattis (Party Guest), Phillip Coolidge (Clerk), Hassan Khayyam (Shamra's Father), Ana Maria Majalca (Shamra), Doris Packer (Mrs. Henderson), Jeffery Sayre (Dancer), Marie Sirago (Florelle Clebert), Sara Taft (Woman), Carol White (Penelope Walthorne)
Producers: Walt Disney Bill Walsh, Ron Miller
Songwriter: Richard and Robert Sherman
Music: Paul Smith, Evelyn Kennedy, Franklyn Marks
Cinematographer: William Snyder
Editor: Cotton Warburton
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubery Davis
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, Hal Gausman
Costume Designer: Bill Thomas
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer
French Production Manager: Sacha Kamenka
Assistant Director: Joseph L. McEveety
Sound Artists: Dean Thomas, Robert O. Cook

Effects Artist: Eustace Lycett Photographer: Frank J. Calabria Costumers: Chuck Keehne, Gertrude Casey,  Joan Joseff Title Sequence: Bill Justice, Xavier Atencio

                                                    Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.ssusc.org/facts/
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Bon%20Voyage
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055807/

-Michael J. Ruhland

Moon Pilot

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland












Michael's Movie Grade:B+
Year Released: 1962

                                             History
Moon Pilot was the first Disney feature film directed by James Neilson. He later directed Bon Voyage, Summer Magic, The Moon Spinners and The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin. He had previously directed episodes of Disney's Zorro TV series. Maurice Tombragel the writer for this movie had previously written episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. He would write only one more feature film for the Disney studio, Monkey's Go Home!. This was the first film Walt's son in law Ron Miller (later to be head of the studio) was a producer on.

An episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color called The Spy in the Sky was made in order to promote this film.

The star of this movie was Tom Tryon. Tom Tyron had previously played Texas John Slaughter for various serialized episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. However this was his first and only appearance in a Disney feature. This movie advertised itself as introducing actress Dany Saval. This however wasn't quite true. This was her first American movie, but she had been making films in France for three years at this time. This film also features some of Disney's regular live action actors as well, including Brain Keith and Tommy Kirk. One thing that might interest today's film fan is that this movie is the film debut of Sally Field. She has a very small role here as a beatnick.

Critics were amazed at the amount and quality of the political satire used in this film. The reviews were very positive. Moon Pilot wasn't as popular at the box office, but due to the low budget used to make this movie, it did turn in a profit.

                                                       Review
An excellent film.

This film mixes slapstick and satire very well. The slapstick is the basic type you have come to expect from Disney comedies of this era (a chimp poking a our hero with a fork). However the satire is hugely political (something you would not associate with Disney comedies of this era). This political satire is very smart but also quite good natured. Swipes are taken at everybody, but there is no mean spiritedness behind any of these. These jokes are though still very funny. On top of this the slapstick humor and the satire work together perfectly and never get in each others way. Beyond the humor, the story and characters in this film are very likable.

On the downside, the stories setup seems to take too long. This can feel like a long slow setup to what the rest of the movie will be at times (though there are some funny moments here and there during the setup). This does not however change, just how good this movie is when it gets going, and it is excellent.

Overall a great movie that deserves more attention.

                                                        Film Credits
Director: James Neilson
Writer: Maurice Tombragel
Based on a story by Robert Buckner
Cast: Tom Tryon (Capt. Richmond Talbot), Brain Keith (Maj. Gen. John M. Vanneman), Edmond O'Brien (McClosky), Dany Saval (Lyrae), Bob Sweeny (Sen. Henry McGuire), Kent Smith (Secretary of the Air Force), Tommy Kirk (Walter Talbot), Simon Scott (Medical Officer), Bert Remsen (Agent Brown), Sarah Selby (Cecilia Talbot), Dick Whittinghill (Col. Briggs), Robert Brubaker (Technician), Douglas Evans (Colonel), Sally Field (Beatnik), Michael Garrett (Control Board Technician), Bob Hastings (Motorist), Jonathan Hole (Hotel Clerk), John Holland (Joe McCord), William Hudson (Technician), Kenner G. Kemp (Conventioneer), Nancy Kulp (Nutritionist), Muriel Landers (Woman), Harp McGuire (Federal Security Driver), Karen Norris (Bridge Player), Nelson Olmsted (Dennis), Jeffery Sayre (Conventioneer), Bert Stevens (Conventioneer), Arthur Tovey (Conventioneer), Guy Wilkerson (Conventioneer), Chet Stratton (Captain), John Zaremba (Officer)
Producers: Walt Disney, Ron Miller, Bill Anderson
Music: Paul Smith, Evelyn Kennedy, Joseph Oroop
Songwriters: Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman
Cinematographer: William E. Snyder
Editor: Cotton Warburton
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubrey Davis
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, William Stevens
Costume Designer: Bill Thomas
Makeup Artist: Pat McNally
Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer
Assistant Director: Joseph L. McEveety
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Harry Lindgren
Effects Artist: Eustace Lycett
Costumers: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne

                                       Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Moon%20Pilot
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056249/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

-Michael J. Ruhland

Babes in Toyland

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland











Year Released:1961
Michael's Movie Grade:D

                                                           History
Babes in Toyland was Disney's first feature length live action musical. While various previous Disney live action films had songs in them, none of them were really musicals.

Walt Disney had a long history of trying to make a film based off the Oz books. He originally wanted to make an animated feature film based off the books to follow Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but discovered that MGM already bought the rights (their movie version would of course go on to become on of the most famous films ever made). In 1954 Walt had bought the rights to the books. Now Walt had the idea to make this as a live action film, staring the Mousketeers from The Mickey Mouse Club TV show. There was even an episode of the Disneyland TV show made to advertise this, where the Mousketeers dressed in Oz like costumes and sang songs that might be used in that never made movie. In 1958 the idea for an Oz film was dropped for unknown reasons (perhaps the extreme popularity for the 1939 MGM film?) and essentially replaced with Babes in Toyland. The first actual Oz movie made for the Disney studio was Return to Oz released in 1985, about 19 years after Walt passed away. It is also worth noting that appearing in Babes in Toyland as the villain Barnaby in this film is Ray Bolger, who played the scarecrow in the MGM version of the Wizard of Oz.     

The director chosen for this film was Jack Donohue. Donohue had previously directed Watch that Birdie and The Yellow Cab Man, both with Red Skelton, as well as episodes of The Red Skelton Hour TV show. He would spend much of career directing episodes of TV shows, these included The Lucy Hour, Here's Lucy, The Brady Bunch, The Odd Couple and Chico and the Man. Babes in Toyland and a  episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color advertising the film would be the only work Jack Donohue ever did for the Disney studio.

Despite this film being live action some animation was used. The director for the animation was Disney legend Ward Kimball. Ward Kimball had been an animator for the studio since 1934 and would spend his entire career at Disney (he retired in 1971). Ward Kimball is probably best remembered by Disney fans for being the supervising animator for such characters as Jiminy Cricket, the Cheshire Cat, the Crows (in Dumbo), the Indians (in Peter Pan) and Lucifer (in Cinderella). He also would be the director of animation in a later live action Disney musical, a little film called Mary Poppins. Ward Kimball also served as one of the three writer on Babes in Toyland.

The other two writers were Joe Rinaldi and Lowell S. Hawley. Joe Rinaldi had written for such Disney animated classics as Dumbo, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Lady and the Tramp. Lowell S. Hawley had previously written for Disney's Zorro TV show and for the Disney live action classic Swiss Family Robinson. He would later be a writer for the Disney films In Search of Castaways, A Tiger Walks, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin, The Young Loner and The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band.

This wasn't the first film version of Babes in Toyland. There was an amazing 1934 movie (watch this film it is so good). The reason I bring this up is because that version stars Laurel and Hardy, and Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon as Barnaby's sidekicks are essentially playing Laurel and Hardy in this movie.

This film used both songs from the original musical on which it was based and original songs as well. The new songs were written by George Burns and Mel Leven. Mel Leven had previously wrote songs for 101 Dalmatians. George Burns had written songs for The Davy Crockett movies, Sleeping Beauty, Johnny Tremain, Tonka, and Westward Ho, The Wagons!.

Babes in Toyland did poorly at the box office, and was meet with very negative reviews from critics.

Until 1963 the films sets were available to see at Disneyland, and still to this day the toy soldiers are a staple of Disneyland's Christmas parade.

                                              

                                                          Review

Bland and forgettable, one of the few misses from the Disney studio during the Walt era.

The biggest problem with this movie is the characters, particularly the two main protagonists. They seem to be devoid of any personality besides just being nice people. Annette and Tommy Sands try their best but are given little to work with. Beyond this though there is not much of a feel of danger or excitement. We never truly believe that these protagonists are in any danger. All the threats are either too silly to be threatening or almost non-threatening. In other words most of the problems that they face just seem to delay the ending rather than cause excitement. This is strange to think that this could possibly be the same studio that brought us the evil queen in Snow White, the terrifying Pleasure Island scene from Pinocchio or the creepy banshee from Darby O' Gill. With how good the studio usually was (and is) at this it is shocking how much they miss the mark here.

Now there are some good things about this movie as well. Like all Disney films from this era it looks great. The sets are absolutely gorgeous and the special effects hold up very well. The songs are often quite pleasant, even if they are not always the best Disney songs. While much of the comedy does miss (Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon are very talented performers but no one plays Laurel and Hardy better than Laurel and Hardy), there are some pretty funny moments here and there. Ed Wynn as always is delightful here. Unfortunately these good points can not make up for the major problems this film has.

Skip this film and watch the 1934 Babes in Toyland instead. Luckily misses like this were very rare exceptions at Disney during this era, and the studio would continue to make many great films after this.

                                                               Film Credits

Director: Jack Donohue

Writers: Ward Kimball, Joe Rinaldi, Lowell S. Hawley

Based off an operetta by Glen Macdonough

Cast: Annette Funicello (Mary), Tommy Sands (Tom), Ray Bolger (Barnaby), Gene Sheldon (Roderigo), Henry Calvin (Gonzorgo), Ed Wynn (Toymaker), Tommy Kirk (Grumio), Ann Jillian (Bo-Peep), Kevin Corcoran (Boy Blue), Marty McCarty (Mother Goose), Brain Corcoran (Willie Winkie),  Don Anderson (Villager), Marilee Arnold (Twin), Melanie Arnold (Other Twin), Robert Banas (Dancer), Eileen Diamond (Dancer), Jack Donohue (Sylvester), Ilana Downing (Jill), James Martin (Jack), Bess Flowers (Villager), Jerry Glen (Simple Simon), James Gonzales (Villager), William Meador (Villager), John Perri (Jack Be Nimble), David Pinson (Bobby Shaftoe), Bryan Russell (Boy), Jeannie Russell (Singer)

Producer: Walt Disney

Cinematographer: Edward Coleman

Editor: Robert Stafford

Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubrey Davis

Animation Director: Ward Kimball

Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri

Costume Designer: Bill Thomas

Makeup Artist: Pat McNalley

Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer

Assistant Director: Austen Jewell

Unit Manager: Arthur J. Vitarelli

Sound Artist: Robert Cook

Music: George Burns

Song Writers: Victor Hubert, George Burns, Mel Leven

Effects Artists: Eustace Lycett, Robert A. Mattley

Animators: Joshua Meador, Bill Justice, Xavier Atencio

Matte Artist: Jim Fetherolf

Choreographer: Tom Mahoney

                                                     Resources Used

The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054649/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Babes%20in%20Toyland

-Michael J. Ruhland

     

Greyfriars Bobby

History and Review written by Michael J. Ruhland














Michael's Movie Grade:A+
Year Released:1961

                                                                 History
Greyfriars Bobby was a return to Britian for the Disney studio. Disney started making live action films in Britain with 1950's Treasure Island. This was done because the studio had made money in Britain that the government wouldn't allow to be spent in the U.S.A.. He followed this with three more live action British films, The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, The Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy: The Highland Rouge. Though this ended the studio's original four British films, they would return to Britian occosianlly over the years. Greyfriars Bobby was one of those films. 

It was also the first Disney film directed by Don Chaffey, who later directed The Three Lives of Thomasina and Pete's Dragon (1977) for Disney. Because this film was made in Britain, it didn't feature Disney's usual live action actors and actresses. However some people appearing in this film, had appeared in Disney films before. For instance Laurence Naismith played a small role earlier in Third Man on the Mountain and Duncan Macrae, Andrew Cruickshank and Alex Mackenzie had all played small roles in Kidnapped.

This film was also the next to last film for actor Donald Crisp. Donald Crisp had been appearing in films since 1908 (with a short called The French Maid). Over his career Crisp had appeared in such films as The Birth of a Nation, Broken Blossoms, The Black Pirate, Jezebel, and How Green is my Valley. He also played the mayor in Pollyanna for Disney. He had also worked as a director, co-directing The Navigator with Buster Keaton, and he directed by himself Don Q Son of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks.

The film received very positive reviews from critics. However it did not do well at the box office.

Greyfriars Bobby was based on a believed to be true story (or a book about that story) about a dog who guarded his masters grave. However in recent years there has been some argument as to whether the story was actually true. This is because there is now evidence that supports there being two dogs and neither of them belonged to the man whose grave they sat by. However as it often does the legend trumps the fact, on the basis that people love a good story.


                                                                      

                                                        Review

Incredibly moving and heartwarming film.

This is a rather slow paced movie, but it uses that slow place perfectly to it's advantage. The town of Greyfriars is as much a character in this film as Bobby himself. This slower pace lets the atmosphere of this town fully come to life. With the atmosphere being so vivid, the story and characters become more compelling. Every character has a distinct personality that really shows though out the film, and this just adds to the great atmosphere. The scenes involving Old Jock are extremely moving and even profound. This is due to a great sense of atmosphere and great characters.

Like nearly all Disney films of this era, the movie looks really good. The art direction (by Michael Stringer) couldn't be better, and neither could Paul Beesons' cinematography.

A must watch.

                                                  Film Credits
Director: Don Chaffey
Writer: Robert Westerby
Based on a book by Eleanor Atkinson    
Cast: Donald Crisp (James Brown), Laurence Naismith (Mr.. Traill) , Alex Mackenzie (Auld Jock), Duncan Macrae (Sgt. Davie Maclean), Andrew Cruickshank (Lord Provost), Gordon Jackson (Farmer), Rosalie Crutchley (Farmer's Wife), Freda Jackson (Caretaker), Moultrie Kelsall (Magistrate), Joyce Carey (First Lady), Vincent Winter (Tammy), Jameson Clark (Constable), Jack Lambert (Doctor), Joan Juliet Buck (Allie), Hamish Wilson (Hamish), Kay Walsh (Mrs. Brown), Geoffrey Bayldon (Vicar), John Breslin (News Correspondent), Betty Duncan (Woman), Damaris Hayman (Woman), Andrew Keir (Constable), Gerald Lawson (Man), Gennie Nevinson (Farmer's Daughter), Alec Paterson (Doctor), Robin Stewart (Jodie Ross)
Producers: Walt Disney, Hugh Attwool
Music: Francis Chargin
Cinematographer: Paul Beesons
Editor: Peter Tanner
Set Decorator: Vernon Dixon
 Art Director: Michael Stringer
Casting: Maude Spector
Costume Designer: Margret Furse
Makeup Artist: Harry Frampton
Hair Stylist: Barbara Ritchie
Production Manger: Peter Manley
Assistant Directors: Dennis Bertera, Graina O'Shannon
Special Effects: Albert Whitlock
Draughtsman: Norman Dorme
Sound Artists: Red Law, Terry Poultan, Norman Bolland, Malcom Stewart

                                                       Resources Used
 The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054944/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2021906/Greyfriars-Bobby-hoax-Dog-kept-vigil-masters-grave-publicity-stunt.html
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Greyfriars%20Bobby

-Michael J. Ruhland
                       

Nikki Wild Dog of the North

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland














Year Released:1961
Michael's Movie Grade:B+

                                              History
Like Perri, Nikki Wild Dog of the North used nature photography to help tell a fictional story. However unlike Perri, This film used both nature footage and footage using human actors.

The nature footage in this film was shot in Canada, and the photographers were sent out to find footage, that fit an already written script. Two different units were sent out to Canada to get the footage. One unit was headed by Jack Couffer, who receives credit as the unit's director. Couffer had already worked as a photographer on three of Disney's nature documentaries, two features (The Living Desert and Secrets of Life) and one short (Islands of the Sea). Nikki Wild Dog of the North was his directorial debut. He would later direct the short film A Country Coyote Goes Hollywood and the feature film The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle for Disney. The other unit was headed by Don Haldane. He receives credit as this unit's director. This is the only time he worked for Disney.

This film naturally had many veterans from Disney's nature documentaries working on it. Winston Hibler had been the narrator for all of the Disney nature documentaries at this time, and had written and produced many of them. Hibler was a producer and writer for this film (though Jacques Fauteux, who had never worked for Disney before or since (in fact this was his only English langue film) was the films narrator).Oliver Wallace who had done the music for many Disney films of all types is once again doing the music here. Photographer Lloyd Beebe had also been a photographer for three of Disney's nature documentaries (The Vanishing Prairie, White Wilderness and The Jungle Cat).

This film featured at least three new photographers. These were William W. Bacon III, Ray Jewell and Donald Wilder. William W. Bacon III would later work on Charlie the Lonesome Cougar, while the other two would never work on another Disney movie.

The story of this movie revolved around an unlikely friendship between a dog and a bear. However this friendship happened in real life, as this movie was being made. Both the dog and the bear used for this film quickly became great friends, and were from all accounts inseparable.

The reviews of the film were very positive. The film did okay at the box office, but it was definitely far from one of Disney's biggest hits.              

                                                                   Review
Excellent film.

This movie is often times very exciting, and even pretty intense. For people who only think of Disney as making cute little movies for kids, the fight scene towards the end must be shocking. In fact for those of us who know better, it is still shocking. The reason for this has little to do with blood (though there is some blood) and gore and much more to do with expert filmmaking. The scene is expertly made and extremely exciting. However this is not the only exciting part of the film. A scene were Nikki fights a bear is equally exciting. It is safe to assume that these scenes would not be as exciting if we didn't care about Nikki, but luckily we do.

On top of this the nature photography for this film is beautiful. Simply every scene that uses this is simply gorgeous to look at. Some of these shots even amaze you as to how they were done, and there are many I admit I don't know how they did.

On the downside this movie can feel like two different movies put together at times. Also the animal actors often outshine the human actors. However this are small problems with an excellent movie.

                                          
                                                             Film Credits
Directors: Jack Couffer, Don Haldane
Writers: Winston Hibler, Ralph Wright, Dwight Hauser
Based on a book by James Oliver Curwood
Cast: Nikki (Nikki), Jean Coutu (Andre Dupas), Émile Genest (Jacques Lebeau), Uriel Luft (Makoki), Robert Rivard (Durante), Jacques Fauteux (Narrator)
Producers: Walt Disney, Winston Hibler, Erwin L. Verity
Music: Oliver Wallace, Evelyn Kennedy, Clifford Vaughan
Photographers: Jack Couffer, Lloyd Beebe, William W. Bacon III, Ray Jewell, Donald Wilder
Editor: Grant K. Smith
Set Decorator: Jack McCullagh
Makeup Artists: Ken Brooke, Barry Nye
Unit Manager: Leo Ewaschuck
Assistant Directors: Jerry Stroll, Phil Hersch
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, George Mulholland, André de Tonnancourt
Costumer: Jan Kemp
Animal Trainer: Art Krowchuck

                                                    Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin opening and closing remarks on the film for TCM
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/85030/Nikki-Wild-Dog-of-the-North/articles.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055232/?ref_=tttr_tr_tt
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Nikki%20Wild%20Dog%20of%20the%20North

-Michael J. Ruhland