Son of Flubber

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland














Michael's Movie Grade: B
Year Released: 1963

                                                    History
Son of Flubber marked the studio's first feature length sequel, being a sequel to The Absent Minded Professor. However it was not the studio's first sequel ever. Before they had made two sequels to the extremely popular 1933 Silly Symphony short cartoon with three more shorts, The Big Bad Wolf, Three Little Wolves and Practical Pig. Despite this live action film being Disney's first feature length sequel, the studio would not release its first animated feature length sequel until 1990 with The Rescuers Down Under.

This film had the same director as the first one, Robert Stevenson. As well as this actors Fred MacMurray, Nancy Olson, Keenan Wynn, and Tommy Kirk also resumed the roles they had played for the last movie. Interestingly Ed Wynn is also in this film, but playing a completely different character than he played in the first movie. Also featured in this movie is Bob Sweeny. Bob Sweeny, had appeared in Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks With the Circus and Moon Pilot. This was his last time appearing in a Disney film, but he would later direct a few episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. Like the first movie this one was shot in black and white in order to make the special effects more believable.

Critics felt that while the film was good it was not as good as The Absent Minded Professor. Audiences loved the film and it became a huge box office success.

When released this film had some tie-ins with various merchandise. These included footballs and football player toys. This merchandise however also included a Flubber toy, that was quickly recalled because it gave children rashes. Also while watching this film, look for Walt's grandson Walter Elias Disney Miller make a cameo as a baby in a fake commercial, as well as the satellites reused from an episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color called Eyes in Outer space. Also note that with all the football involved in this film's storyline, co-producer Ron Miller played Football.

                                                       

Review

Very good movie even if it isn't as great as The Absent Minded Professor.

The humor in this film is excellent. Like the first movie this film features plenty of different types of humor, such as slapstick, verbal word play, and political satire, and like in that movie they all work quite well. The slapstick of the football game is obviously the film's comedic highlight. All the slapstick humor here works fantastically and is only made better by various characters' reactions to the slapstick goings ons. However this is not the only really funny part of this movie. A talk with an IRS man leads to some of the funniest and smartest political satire to come out of the Disney studio. Also very funny is an advertisement for flubber floors, which features a great mixture of satire and slapstick. On top of this the acting is great and the characters are very likable.

However what keeps this movie from being as good as the first one is that it has too many stories. There is the romantic story, the story about saving the school with a lack of money, the story about the professor trying out his new invention, and the story of the professor's rivalry with Mr. Hawk. One problem with having this many stories is that none of them can feel fully devolved in a less than two hour movie. Another problem is that the stories seem to often be interrupting each other. The biggest problem though is that it loses some of the simple charm of the first movie. However there is so much good about this film that overcomes this fault quite well.

Definitely recommended, just keep in mind that the first film is better.

Film Credits

Director: Robert Stevenson

Writers: Bill Walsh, Dan Gagradi

Cast: Fred MacMurray (Prof. Ned Brainard), Nancy Olson Betsy Brainard), Keenan Wynn (Alzno P. Hawk), Tommy Kirk (Biff Hawk), Ed Wynn (A.J. Allan), Charles Ruggles (Judge Murdock), Leon Ames (President Rufus Daggett), Ken Murray (Mr. Hurley), William Demarest (Mr. Hummel), Paul Lynde (Sportscaster), Elliot Reed (Prof. Shelby Aston), Bob Swenney (Mr. Harker), Joanna Moore (Desiree), Edward Andrews (Defense Secretary), James Westerfeild (Officer Hanson), Forest Lewis (Officer Kelly), Alan Carney (Referee), Stuart Erwin (Coach Wilson), Alan Hewitt (Prosecutor), Jack Albertson (Mr. Barley), Eddie Ryder (Mr. Osborne), Harriet E. MacGibbon (Mrs. Edna Daggett), Beverly Wills (Commercial Actress), Wally Boag (Commercial Actor), Wed Miller (Commercial Actor), Ed Brandenburg (Courtroom Well-Wisher), Ron Brown (Football Player), Charlie (Himself), Steve Carruthers ( Military Officer), Christopher Dark (TV Announcer), Lindy Davis (Newsboy), Russell Carter ( Board Member), Don Edmonds (Moriarity), Joe Flynn (Rex Williams), George Ford (Court Room Spectator), Bryan Foulger (Proprietor), Michael Garret (Force General), Lee Giroux (Newscaster), Norman Grobonski (Football Player), Darby Hinton (Hobgoblin), Clegg Hoyt (George), Michael Jeffers (Court Room Well Wisher), Henry Hunter (Admiral), Gordon Jones (Rutland Football Coach), Virgil Johansson (Board Member), Harvey Korman (Husband), Mari Lynn (Commercial Actress), Ethan Laidlaw (Courtroom Well Wisher), Don McCart (Football Player), Tippi McClure (Police Officer), Mathew McCue (Board Member), Del McKennon (Juror), Walter Elias Disney Miller (Baby in Commercial), King Mojave (Board Member), Belle Montrose (Commercial Actress), Brad Morrow (Football Player), Burt Mustin (Bailiff), Ron Nyman (Courtroom Spectator), William H. O'Brien (Butler), J. Pat O'Malley (Sign-Painter), John Olezewlski (Football Player), Murray Pollack (Courtroom Spectator), Jack Rice (Juror), Waclaw Rekwart (Courtroom Spectator), Robert Robinson (Courtroom Well-Wisher), Hope Sansburry (Secretary), Phil Schumacher (Courtroom Well Wisher), Robert Shayne (Defense Secretary's Assistant), Hal Smith (Bartender), Arthur Tovey (Juror), Ginny Tyler ( Baby Walter Voice), Leon Tyler (Humphrey Hacker), Ned Wynn (Rutland Student Manager)

Producers: Walt Disney, Ron Miller, Bill Walsh

Music: George Burns

Cinematographer: Edward Colman

Editor: Cotton Warburton

Art Directors: Carroll Clark, William H. Tuntke

Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri

Costume Designer: Bill Thomas

Makeup Artist: Pat McNally

Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer

Assistant Directors: Tom Leetch, Joseph L. McEveety

Second Unit Director: Arthur J. Vitarelli

Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Dean Thomas

Special Effects Artists: Peter Ellenshaw, Robert A. Mattley, Eustace Lycett, Jim Fetherolf

Stunt Artist: Paula Dell

Costume Department: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne

Resources Used

The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

Of Mice and Magic: A History of the American Animated Cartoon by Leonard Maltin

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057518/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Son%20of%20Flubber

-Michael J. Ruhland

          

               

In Search of the Castaways

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland















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

                                                             History
One of the biggest live action hits Disney had had by this point was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Because of this it is no surprise that Walt wanted to return to the work of Jules Verne. This time he went with a fairly forgotten book called Captain Grant's Children. It is also no surprise that Walt put one of his best directors and one of his biggest (and also best) stars on the project. The director would be Robert Stevenson, who had directed such films as Darby O' Gill and the Little People, The Absent Minded Professor, Old Yeller, and Johnny Tremain, and he would go on to direct a little film called Mary Poppins. The star would be Hayley Mills, who had previously stared in Pollyanna and The Parent Trap. One of the reasons Walt wanted to make this film was because it provided a very different role for Hayley Mills.

Besides Hayley also appearing in this film is Maurice Chavalier, Keith Hampshere, and George Sanders. Though this was George Sander's only appearance in a live action Disney film, he would return to the studio to do the voice of Sher Khan in The Jungle Book. This was Walt had seen Keith Hampshere in a stage production of Oliver, while vacationing in London once and was very impressed. Because of this he cast him in this film. This is one of the only two movies he acted in (the other being Play it Cool, released the same year). Most of his film career was as a still photographer for a large variety of movies including Superman II, Barry Lyndon, Chaplin, The Mummy and the Star Wars Prequels. This was Maurice Chevalier's first role for Disney. He would later appear in Monkey's Go Home and sing the title song in the animated feature, The AristoCats.  

This film was another one of the Disney studio's British films following the movies, Treasure Island, The Sword and the Rose, The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, Kidnapped and Greyfrairs Bobby. These films began because Walt had money in Britain that he could not spend in the U.S.. However these soon became a huge part of the Disney studio's live action output. Despite Hayley Mills being from England and starting her film career there with a movie called Tiger Bay, this was her first British Disney film. In Search of  the Castaways was shot mostly indoors at Pinewood Studios in England.

The film premiered in London before it premiered in the U.S.. It premiered in London on November 14th, 1962 and in the U.S. on December 19th, 1962. Critics felt the film was fun and looked good, but was lacking in the story department. It did extremely well at the box office. The film would be released twice once in 1970 and once in 1978.       

                                                           Review
Excellent adventure film is just a lot of fun.

This movie is really exciting. One of the reasons for this is that we care about and like the characters. This is due both to the writing and to how amazingly well done the acting is. The simple fact that we like these characters makes the action scenes all the more exciting. While some of the effects are dated, most of them hold up very well. The direction and the pacing on these scenes is fantastic. They go on long enough to gather up the needed excitement and don't go on too long that they lose the excitement. More than just the effects though, the whole film looks great. Often times you completely forget that this movie was shot indoors.

The big fault of this movie is that the fantasy element comes out of nowhere. The beginning of this film is fairly realistic and gives no hint of the fantasy that is to come. Because of this when the fantasy elements first appear they feel out of place and don't fully work. However as the film goes on you will probably grow to accept and enjoy these fantasy elements a lot, like I did. Once you accept these the film is just a joy to watch and a lot of fun.

Overall just a very fun movie.

                                                Film Credits
Director: Robert Stevenson
Writer: Lowell S. Hawley
Based on a novel by Jules Verne
Cast: Hayley Mills (Mary Grant), Maurice Chevalier (Jacques Paganel), George Sanders (Thomas Ayerton), Wilfred Hyde-White (Lord Glenarvan), Michael Anderson Jr. (John Glenarvan), Antonio Cifariello (Chief Thalcave), Keith Hamshere (Robert Grant), Wilfred Brambell (Bill Gaye), Jack Gwillim (Captain Grant), Ronald Fraser (Guard), Norman Bird (Guard), George Murcell (Ayerton's Assistant), Inia Wiata (Maori Chief), Mark Dignam (Man), Michael Wynne (Sailor), David Spencer (Guide), Milo Sperber (Sailor), Roger Delgado (Prisoner), Maxwell Shaw (Sailor), Andreas Malandrinos (Sailor), Barry Keegan (Irish Claimant), Joss Ackland (Seaman), Jean Alexander (Woman), Joy Andrews (Woman), Patrick Jordon (Hijacker), Larry Taylor (Hijacker), Michael Mallinger (Hijacker)
Producers: Walt Disney, Hugh Attwool
Songwriters: Richard and Robert Sherman
Music: William Alwyn
Cinematographer: Paul Beeson
Editor: Gordon Stone
Art Director: Michael Stringer
Costume Designer: Margret Fuse
Casting Director: Maude Spector
Makeup Artist: Harry Frampton
Hair Stylist: Barbara Ritchie
Production Manager: Peter Manley
Unit Manager: Clive Reed
Assistant Directors: Eric Rattray, Terrance Churcher, Grania O'Shannon
Second Unit Director: Peter Bolton
Special Effects Artists: Peter Ellenshaw, Syd Pearson, Brain Gamby, Godfrey A. Godar, Jimmy Harris, Jimmy Ward, Garth Inns, Fred Heather, Ron Jackson, Martian Shortall
Assistant Art Director: Ernest Archer
Draughtsmen: Terrance Marsh, Roy Dorman, Norman Dorme
Scenic Artists: Peter Wood, A.J. Van Montagu
Sound Artists: Peter Thornton, Ken Barker, Danny Daniel, Dudley Messenger, Gordon K. McKallum, Charlie McFadden, Graham V. Hartstone
Cameramen: David Harcourt, Ray Strugess, Michael Reed, Alec Mills, Michael Sarafian

Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056095/?ref_=nv_sr_2
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/2011/07/in-search-of-castaways-1962.html

-Michael J. Ruhland
  
 

The Legend of Lobo

History and Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland

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


                                                               History

Like Perri and Nikki Wild Dog of the North, The Legend of Lobo was another film that told a fictional story with nature documentary footage. The film was directed and produced (along with Walt on producing of course) by James Algar and Jack Couffer, both of whom had directed some of the studio's nature documentaries. James Algar had started with the Disney studio in 1934 as an animator and worked on such films as Snow White, Bambi and The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. He even directed The Sorcerer's Apprentice scene in Fantasia. Jack Couffer started with the studio as a nature photographer for the first Disney feature length nature film, The Living Desert.    

The film was shot in in Sedona, Arizona only, unlike most of the studio's nature films that were shot in multiple places. Unlike many of the studio's nature documentaries only two photographers worked on this movie. These were co-director Jack Couffer and Lloyd Beebe. Lloyd Beebe had started working as one of Disney's nature photographers with The Vanishing Prairie, the studio's second feature length nature documentary.  

The film was narrated by country singer/songwriter Rex Allen. Allen had previously narrated for episodes of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color and would go on to narrate for such Disney films as The Incredible Journey, A Country Coyote Goes Hollywood, and Charlie the Lonesome Cougar.

Critics liked the narration very much, but felt that the visuals didn't work as well. It is unknown how the film did at the box office.

                                                      

                                            Review
A fantastic film.

This film has a lot going for it. As in all of Disney's nature films the photography is gorgeous. It is amazing they were able to get half these shots. While I don't much care for the narration on the straight nature documentaries, I have little to no problem with it being used in these fictional films that use real nature documentary footage. The narration being done by Rex Allen doesn't hurt at all. He has such a warm and friendly voice that it just helps add such a charm to this movie. The song with him and The Sons of the Pioneers is excellent and as a fan of country music myself I find it very fun. Unfortunately the actual music score doesn't fare so well, but the movie is so good it really doesn't hurt much.

The best thing about this movie though is the way the characters are presented. They are not villains in any sense, but the film doesn't tone down what the wolves do at all. They feel like real wolves, each having their own personality, and neither really being good or bad, but just real. The characters are very likable though and we feel a lot for Lobo in the climax. Speaking of the climax it is really exciting and so much of this has simply to do with the fact that Lobo feels so real to us.

This is definitely a forgotten Disney Treasure.

                                                                Film Credits
Directors: James Algar, Jack Couffer.
Writers: Dwight Hauser, James Algar
Based on a story by Ernest Thomson Seton
Narrator: Rex Allen
Songs Performed by Rex Allen and The Sons of the Pioneers
Producers: Walt Disney, James Algar, Jack Couffer
Song Writers: Richard and Robert Sherman
Music: Oliver Wallace, Evelyn Kennedy, Walter Sheets
Photographers: Jack Couffer, Lloyd Beebe
Production Manager: Erwin L. Verity
Sound Artist: Robert O. Cook
Editor: Norman Palmer
Animal Supervisor: Ralph Helfer

                                                          Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/2011/07/legend-of-lobo-1962.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056173/?ref_=rvi_tt

-Michael J. Ruhland

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