Darby O' Gill and the Little People

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

Year Released: 1959

Michael's Movie Grade:A+

                                                      History

Darby O'Gill and the Little People was originally planned to feature both live action and animation. In 1948, Walt sent much of the Disney studio on a trip to Ireland, to do some research for the film. The film was originally going to be called just The Little People. However the film quickly got put on hold because of Cinderella and after that for Disneyland. When it was revived ten years later it was decided to make it an all live action feature.

The director picked for this film was Robert Stevenson, who had already directed Johnny Tremain and Old Yeller for the studio as well as some episodes of the Zorro TV show. He would later go on to direct Mary Poppins, The Absent Minded Professor and The Love Bug. The actors did not appreciate this decision as some felt he was more concerned with special effects than with them and they were unhappy with how many retakes he wanted them to take.

This film stars Albert Sharpe as Darby O'Gill. However this was not Walt's original choice. He originally wanted Barry Fitzgerald to play the character but he had retired by this time. Also appearing in this film is Sean Connery. One fan of this movie was Dana Broccoli the wife of producer Albert Broccoli, who suggested her husband cast Connery as James Bond. Darby O'Gill and the Little People was the first time Janet Murno appeared in a Disney film. She would later appear in Third Man on the Mountain and Swiss Family Robinson.

The effects for making the actors playing leprechauns look small was done with forced perspective. The leprechauns were further away than the actors playing normal sized humans. The sets were also built much bigger for the leprechauns. To make this work an off-screen mark was made so that it would appear the two actors were looking directly at each other. This also required a lot of stage lights. One time the massive number of stage lights even cause a power outage in Burbank. Much of these effects were done by Disney regular special effects man Peter Ellenshaw.

Darby O' Gill and the Little People was applauded by critics, but sadly did not receive the same apparition with audiences.

                                                               Review
Incredible film, and one of Disney's best.

This film represents fantasy filmmaking at it's finest. It has a lovely atmosphere. From the beginning of this film to the end, you are sucked into the world of this film. You believe yourself that this is all possible and maybe it even happened, at least for an hour and a half. It is just so vivid and beautifully done, that it can transport you to a world of endless fantasy in the way few films can.

This film is also cast perfectly. I can't picture anyone, but Albert Sharpe as Darby or anyone but Jimmy O'Dea as King Brain. They become the characters. Janet Murno is also perfect as Katie, and it is easy to why this film helped Sean Connery's career so much.

This film also features one of the scariest moments in any Disney film. This is the scene with the Banshee. This scene is pretty terrifying. However this is because the film has built up to it and make you believe it's atmosphere before this scene even started.

Overall an incredible movie that is surely one of Disney's best films.

Film Credits (
Director: Robert Stevenson
Writer: Lawrence Edward Watkin

Cast:
Albert Sharpe (Darby O'Gill),
Janet Munro (Katie O'Gill),
Sean Connery (Michael McBride),
Jimmy O'Dea (King Brian Connors),
Kieron Moore (Pony Sugrue),  Estelle Winwood (Sheelah Sugrue), Walter Fitzgerald (Lord Fitzpatrick ), Denis O'Dea (Father Murphy), J. G. Devlin (Tom Kerrigan), Jack MacGowran (Phadrig Oge), Farrell Pelly (Paddy Scanlon), Nora O'Mahony (Molly Malloy)
Producer: Walt Disney
Cinematographer: Winston Hoch
Music: Oliver Wallace
Songwriters: Oliver Wallace, Lawrence Edward Watkin
Editor: Stanley Johnson
Special Effects: Peter Ellenshaw, Eustace Lycett, Josh Meador
Assistant Director: Robert G. Shannon
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Peter Ellenshaw,  Don Da Gradi
Makeup Artists: Pat McNalley, Ruth Sandifer
Costume Artists: Chuck Keehne, Gertrude Casey
Set Decorators: Emil Kuri, Dean Thomas
Recourses Used
Little People Big Effects (DVD Special Feature)
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/72263/Darby-O-Gill-and-the-Little-People/
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Darby%20O%27Gill%20and%20the%20Little%20People

-Michael J. Ruhland

The Shaggy Dog

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland





















Michael's Movie Grade:B+

Year Released: 1959


                                                   History
The Shaggy Dog could have been Disney's first live action film. In 1941 Walt Disney was planning on making a live action film version of the Felix Salten (he also work the books Bambi and Perri were adapted from) book The Hound of Florence. The Hound of Florence was about an Italian art student turning into a dog. This was going to be the studio's first live action film. However once World War Two came around, and after the finical disappointments of Pinocchio, Fantasia and Bambi, the film was put on hold.

In the late 1950's Disney writer Bill Walsh wanted to go back to The Hound of Florence and make it into a television series. The major difference was that instead of an Italian art student, an average American teenager would turn into a dog. However ABC (before Disney owned it) executives felt the idea was much to silly and immediately turned it down. Walt however liked the idea and decided if it couldn't be a TV show it would instead be a theatrical feature.  

The director chosen for The Shaggy Dog was Charles Barton. Charles Barton was a director known for directing comedy (perfect for this film). Barton had directed some of the best Abbott and Costello film (including The Time of Their Lives and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein), as well as every episode of The Amos and Andy Show (for TV). He had already worked at Disney for the Zorro TV show.

This film as Disney's first live action comedy, and would start a trend of many more to come. It was also the first Disney feature to be done in entirely black and white. This was done because it was felt the effects would be too obvious in color. Being a lighthearted comedy this film was considered by many to be a return to an earlier style of movie for actor Fred MacMurray. Earlier in Fred MacMurray's career he was known for appearing in lighthearted comedies like The Gilded Lily, Hands Across the Table, and Standing Room Only. In 1944 his type of film to a change with the much darker Double Indemnity. He would continue playing more serious roles in films like The Caine Mutiny and Pushover.   

Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran play brothers in this film. They had already played brothers in Disney's Old Yeller. They would play brothers in three more movies for Disney after this, Bon Voyage, Swiss Family Robinson and Savage Sam (the sequel to Old Yeller).

The Shaggy Dog was a huge hit that surprised everyone at the studio. It was very popular with both audiences and critics. In fact it was the second highest grossing film of 1959 (Ben-Hur was the highest). It became obvious to those working at Disney that live action comedies were a very profitable type of film for the studio. Because of this the studio would make many more live action comedies until this became the film type of choice for the studio. This would also lead to Fred McMurray reappearing in many of these films. This film would receive a sequel called The Shaggy DA in 1976. The Disney studio would remake this film twice, once as a made for TV movie in 1994 and once as a theatrical movie in 2006.

                                                 Review

Disney's first live action comedy may not be the funniest, but is very charming and an excellent film in it's own right.

Interestingly for such a broad comedy this film is played at slower relaxed pace. This actually works very much to film's advantage. It lets this film have a pleasant unassuming feeling that is actually quite refreshing. While I love faster pace broad comedies, this style also works quite well. Since it's quite unique in that regard, it just makes the film all the more enjoyable.

The characters are all very likeable and relatable. The acting is great. This film captures a great sense of Americana the way only Disney can. Simply put this movie is just charming.

The humor isn't consistently funny, and the movie doesn't keep you laughing all the way through. However this film does still have some great laughs in it, such as the dance scene. The butler trying to keep the dog locked up, and most everything with the police officers. Even though the humor in this film is not consistently great, there are no real bad jokes here, and  nothing that distracts from the great charm of this film.

Overall a very enjoyable and charming film.

                                                                     Film Credits
Director: Charles Barton
Writers: Bill Walsh, Lillie Hayward
Inspired by a book by Felix Salten
Cast: Fred MacMurray (Wilson Daniels), Tommy Kirk (Wilby Daniels), Kevin Corcoran (Moochie Daniels), Jean Hagen (Freeda Daniels), Annette Funicello (Allison D'Allessio), Tim Considine (Buzz Miller), Cecil Kellaway (Professor Plumcutt), Alexander Scourby (Dr. Mikhail Andrassy),
Roberta Shore(Franceska Andrassy), James Westerfield (Officer Hanson), Strother Martin (Thurm), Forrest Lewis (Officer Kelly),  Ned Wever (E.P. Hackett), Gordon Jones (Captain Scanlon), Jacques Aubuchon (Stefano),  Jack Albertson (Reporter), Jim Bannon (Betz), Larry J. Blake                   (Officer Ed Mercer),  Charles Cane (Police Officer), Paul Frees (Narrator, J.W. Galvin), John Hart (Police Broadcaster), Gregg Palmer (FBI Agent), Mark Rodney (Kid),  Mack Williams (FBI Agent), Shaggy (Chiffon)
Producers: Walt Disney, Bill Walsh
Music: Paul Smith
Songwriters: Paul Smith, Hazel George
Cinematographer: Edward Colman
Editor: James Ballas
Art Director: Carroll Clark
Set Designers: Emile Kuri, Fred M. MacLean
Makeup Artist: Pat McNalley
Hair Stylist: Ruth Sandifer
Assistant Director: Arthur J. Vitarelli
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Harry Lindgren                                                               
Special Effects: Eustace Lycett
Stunt Artists: Carey Loftin
Cameraman: Jim Whitman
Assistant Cameraman: Bob McGowan
Costume Designers: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne
Animated Opening: T. Hee, Xavier Atencio, Bill Justice

                                               Recourses Used
Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Shaggy%20Dog%20%28The%29
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/25095/The-Shaggy-Dog/articles.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053271/?ref_=ttsnd_snd_tt

-Michael J. Ruhland












                                                               
                                  

Sleeping Beauty

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland












Year Released:1959
Michael's Movie Grade:D

                                                      History
Never before had there been a Disney animated feature that Walt Disney was less involved in. At the time Sleeping Beauty was being made, Walt had his hands completely full. He was also working on television shows, Live action movies, and most of all Disneyland. Much of Disney's animation department at this time felt the lack of presence of Walt. Many of them felt they needed to do what Walt wanted, but many felt they had no idea what he would want them to do. They were so used to having Walt so involved with the making of these films, that making Sleeping Beauty would be a completely different experience and in some ways a more challenging one.

The idea of doing Sleeping Beauty as an animated feature started in 1950. A little work was done around this time but nothing major. In 1954 the project would be on hiatus for two years. This was because much of Disney's animation department was transferred over to start working on Walt's new project a little place called Disneyland. Work on Sleeping Beauty would resume in 1956. Over the next three years the majority of work on the film would done.

This film's production designer, Eyvind Earle would work on Sleeping Beauty's Castle for Disneyland. Also helping design this castle was Herb Ryman, who had been an art director for such Disney animated features as Fantasia, Dumbo, The Three Caballeros and Victory Through Air Power. At this time he would only be working on Disneyland, so he would not work on the Sleeping Beauty film. This castle was originally going to be Snow White's Castle, but it was changed to Sleeping Beauty Castle to advertise the upcoming film. The castle would be complete in 1957, two years before the film was released.

As work on this Sleeping beauty was being done the costs of the film greatly multiplied. The film would end up costing six million dollars, making it the most expensive animated film made up to this time.

The supervising director of Sleeping Beauty would be Clyde Geronimi. Clyde Geronimi had previously been one of the directors for Cinderella, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Make Mine Music, Melody Time, and Victory Through Air Power, as well as many great Disney cartoon shorts. 

Much of the problems with making this film came from the story department. They found the story to similar to Snow White and Cinderella. Because of this they worked really hard not to make the story of this film seem like the studio repeating itself, but much of the story department found this an extremely difficult job.

The layout artists however found work on Sleeping Beauty much more exciting. Much of the look of the film was inspired by a trip layout designer, John Hench took to a medieval art show.

Like earlier animated features many animators were cast by characters. Marc Davis would be the supervising animator for Maleficent, Ollie Johnson would be the supervising animator for the three good fairies, Milt Kahl would be the supervising animator for Prince Philip and so forth. One animator who worked on this film briefly is of note. This animator would be Chuck Jones, famous for his Looney Tunes work and later How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Chuck worked at Disney while the Warner Brothers cartoon studio was closed for five months during 1953. He was not happy with not having the same creative freedom he had at Warners and went back there as soon as the studio reopened.

Sleeping Beauty did not do well with either critics or audiences, both of whom felt that this film was below the par set by previous animated Disney features.

                                                             Review
One of Disney's weakest animated features.

The biggest fault of this film is the characters. I simply do not feel any connection to any of these characters. The biggest problems are definitely with Princess Aurora and Prince Philip. These characters seem like bad parodies of Disney characters instead of actual Disney characters. On top of that they have little to no personality to speak of. This is also just as true of the two kings as well. The Three good fairies have a bit more personality but even then not much. I never felt I got to know those characters beyond little quirks. Despite the popularity of Maleficent (I know lots of people will agree with me on this) in this movie she comes off as just a standard movie villain and nothing more. She is in fact a much better character in the Kingdom Hearts video games.

On top of this the film has no excitement or danger in it. I know many people will take that comment as a point about how no action happens until near the end of the movie. However that is not my problem. My problem actually is the action scene towards the end. For how strong Maleficent is this end battle feels to easy. The good fairies and Philip don't seem to be at danger at any point in this battle. In a sense I am never worried or afraid for these characters during this scene. As a result of this the whole climax is just boring. It is shocking that the people who previously brought us the terrifying Pleasure Island sequence from Pinocchio or the thrilling forest fire scene from Bambi could make this such a boring scene.

The film does have some good points though. Once Upon a Dream is a delightful song that I really enjoy hearing. Though she is not the best written character, Marc Davis' animation of Maleficent is excellent. Sadly however the good points of this film are heavily overshadowed by it's weak points.

This film is proof that even great filmmakers can bring us less than great films at times. So if you want to watch a classic animated Disney princess film Snow White and Cinderella are much better. Luckily in the history of Disney animation a film like Sleeping Beauty is an exception rather than a rule.

                                                        Film Credits
Supervising Director: Clyde Geronimi
Sequence Directors: Eric Larson, Wolfgang Reitherman, Les Clark
Based off the classic fairy tale by Charles Perrault
Writers: Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Winston Hibler, Bill Peet, Ted Sears, Ralph Wright, Milt Banta
Voices: Mary Costa (Princess Aurora/Briar Rose), Eleanor Audley (Maleficent), Taylor Holmes (King Stefan), Bill Shirley (Prince Phillip), Verna Felton (Flora), Barbara Jo Allen (Fauna), Barbara Luddy (Merryweather), Bill Thompson (King Hubert), Candy Candido(Goon), Pinto Colvig (Goon), Bob Amsberry (Goon), Dal McKennon (Owl), Marvin Miller (Narrator)
Producer: Walt Disney
Songwriters: Erdman Penner, Jack Lawrence, Sammy Fain, Ted Sears, Winston Hibler
Choral Arrangements: John Rarig
Music Editor: Evelyn Kennedy
Editors: Roy M. Brewster, Jr., Donald Halliday
Production Supervisor: Ken Peterson
Production Designers: Don DaGradi, Ken Anderson
Character Designer: Tom Oreb
Color Artist:   Eyvind Earle
Effects Animators: Dan MacManus, Jack Boyd, Joshua Meador, Jack Buckley
Special Effects: Ub Iwerks, Eustace Lycett
Sound Artist: Robert O. Cook
Supervising Animators: Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, John Lounsbery.
Background Artists: Frank Armitage, Al Dempster, Bill Layne, Dick Anthony, Richard H. Thomas, Thelma Witmer, Walt Peregoy, Ralph Hulett, Fil Mottola, Anthony Rizzo
Layout Artists: McLaren Stewart, Don Griffith, Basil Davidovich, Joe Hale, Jack Huber, Tom Codrick, Erni Nordli, Victor Haboush, Homer Jonas, Ray Aragon
Animators: Hal King, Blaine Gibson, Ken Hultgren, George Nicholas, Henry Tanous, Hal Ambro, John Sibley, Harvey Toombs, Bob Youngquist, John Kennedy, Don Lusk, Bob Carlson, Fred Kopietz, Eric Cleworth, Ken O'Brien

                                                      Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
The Animated Movie Guide by Jerry Beck (contributing writer: Martin Goodman)
The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland by The Imagineers
https://www.bcdb.com/cartoon-characters/32-Sleeping-Beauty#animators

-Michael J. Ruhland

Tonka

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland
















Year Released:1958
Michael's Movie Grade: A-

                                      History
Tonka was originally planned to be a five part episode of the Disneyland TV show. However as production moved along it was decided that Tonka should be instead be released as a single feature film. This film was directed and written by Lewis R. Foster. Foster had directed some fantastic Laurel and Hardy shorts (including their first talkie Unaccustomed as We Are), he would also direct the films El Paso and The Brave and the Bold. However he would probably be better recognized as a writer, writing for such films as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and The More the Merrier. He was already working at Disney at this time directing and writing for their Zorro TV show.

Westerns had by this time proven to be some of Disney's greatest moneymakers. Starting with the studios work with Davy Crockett, these films soon became a major part of Disney's output. Starting with Old Yeller, these films were become more dependent on drama and less on action. Like  The Light in the Forest, Disney's last feature length western this film deal with race relations between whites and American Indians. This is a subject that would not have been seen in the earliest Disney westerns.

This is the first pf Disney's feature length westerns not to feature actor Fess Parker. Fess Parker when he started at Disney as Davy Crockett was getting leading roles in the all of the Disney westerns. However starting with Old Yeller he had begun getting smaller roles. He did not like these smaller roles and also felt like he was being typecast. When offered a very small role in Tonka, Parker left Disney.

Much of the scenes at the Indian camp were filmed in Oregon at The Warm Springs Indian Reservation, many of the resident of this reservation appeared in the film or worked as advisors.

Tonka fared very well with critics, but I am unfortunately not able to find much information on how it did at the box office.

                                                           Review

Excellent film. Brisk, and fun movie though not lacking in depth either.

The best thing about this film is something the Disney studio excels at and this film is proof as to that fact. This is creating a very believable and charming relationship between humans and animals. The relationship between White Bull and Tonka is very moving, and is always charming. Both the writing and the acting (both human and horse) is just fantastic, and there could have not possibly been better chemistry between  these two.

Once again the treatment of a subject as serious as race relations is treated with the upmost respect. This film never talks down to it's audience and treats both sides with much respect (rare at a time when most depictions of native Americans were sadly quite stereotypical). The only exception is this film's version of General Custer, who unfortunately here is just a rather bland villain (though admittedly Custer was a terrible person in real life and even many on his own side hated him). With how well this film did the other characters, you think they could have done this one better.

An excellent film, that is very entertaining, but also has a good message, which is for treated very intelligently. 

                                                       Film Credits
Director: Lewis R. Foster

Writers: Lewis R. Foster, Lillie Hayward

Based on a book by David Appel

Cast: Sal Mineo (White Bull), Philip Carey (Capt. Miles Keogh), Jerome Courtland (Lt. Henry Nowlan),  H.M. Wynant (Yellow Bull), Joy Page (Prairie Flower), Britt Lomond (Gen. Custer), Rafael Campos (Strong Bear), Herbert Rudley (Captain Benteen), Sydney Smith (Gen. Alfred Howe Terry), John War Eagle (Sitting Bull), Gregg Martell (Cpl. Korn), Slim Pickens (Ace), Robert 'Buzz' Henry (Lt. Crittenden), Jim Alderman (Cavalryman), Larry Baxter ( Cavalryman), Charles Biles (Cavalryman), Larry Ditmore (Cavalryman), Chuck Fite (Cavalryman), Wayne Houston (Cavalryman), Karl Kleint (Cavalryman), Robert Patrick (Cavalryman), William "Red" Reynolds ( Cavalryman), Gard Safley (Cavalryman), Jim Smith (Cavalryman), Frank Stoul (Cavalryman), Henry Welch (Cavalryman), C.R. Yount (Cavalryman), George Bernier (Ace's Man), Tom Bride (Ace's Man), Hugh Porter (Ace's Man), Rod Rosebrook (Ace's Man), Walt Smead (Ace's Man), Claude Brennan (Officer), Pat Castor (Officer), Alvin Grimes (Officer), W.C. Yeomans (Kellogg), Monroe Carlson (Maj. Marcus A. Reno), Stan Frank (Indian), Harold Green (Indian), Johnny Guerin (Indian), Chester Von Pelt (Indian), Leland Thompson (Indian), Alba Shawaway (Indian), Eddie Little Sky (Spotted Tail), Wallace Lee Hug (Child), Ed Saluskin (Scout), Levi Von Pelt (Child), Peggy Jaques (Pioneer), Renee Jaques (Pioneer), Al Wyatt Sr. (Trooper), Clem Klink (Dignitary), Dallas Quick (Dignitary), Conrad Well (Orderly)

Producers: Walt Disney, James C. Pratt

Music: Oliver Wallace

Songwriters: George Burns, Hazel George

Cinematographer: Loyal Griggs

Editor: Ellsworth Hoagland

Art Director: Robert Emmet Smith

Set Decorators: Oliver Emert, Emile Kuri

Makeup Artists: Pat McNally, Ruth Sandifier, Hedy Mjorud, William Woods

Production Manager: John Grubbs

Assistant Directors: Horace Hough, Herb Hirst, Mickey McCardle

Painters: Harry Bogart, Eldon Hall, Peter Ellenshaw, William Powley, Albert Whitock

Propmen: Stuart Brown, Charles Chrisman, Wilward Marty, Jim Trenor, Lou Wildley

Effects Artists: Clarence Burke, Max Luttenburg, Charles Sprugeun, Edwin Tillman

Cameramen: Judd Curtis, Harry L. Underwood

Assistant Cameramen: Dick Kelly, Bob McGowan

                                                          Resources Used

The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052300/?ref_=tttr_tr_tt

http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Tonka

-Michael J. Ruhland 

White Wilderness

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland


























Michael's Movie Grade:B
Year Released: 1958

                                                History
This True Life Adventure used 11 photographers. 5 of these photographers had previously worked for Disney nature documentaries (Lloyd Beebe, Herb Crisler, Lois Crisler, James R. Simon, Tom McHugh) but for the rest working for Disney was new (Hugh A. Wilmar, Dick Bird, William H. Carrick, Cecil Rhode, Rickard Tegströ, Carl Thomsen). Some of those new to Disney would continue to work for Disney (Hugh A. Wilmar would for instance also work on The Jungle Cat), but for most of them this was their frist and last time working for the studio. These photographers spent nearly 3 years getting the footage for this documentary. Some of the photographers were dubbed specialists and sent on their own assignments. For instance Hugh A. Wilmar shot footage of the polar bears, Herb and Lois Crisler shot footage of wolves and caribou, James R. Simon worked on footage of lemmings and Llyod Bebe shot footage of the caribou and oxen. This film includes some of the earliest film footage to be shot in Antarctica.

Like the previous True Life Adventures this film was directed by James Algar, who started work at Disney as an animator, he also directed The Sorcerers Apprentice segment in Fantasia. White Wilderness includes much of the same crew that worked on previous Disney nature documentaries including producer Ben Sharpsteen (another person who started working at Disney as an animator, he also was the supervising director for Pinocchio, and Dumbo), and narrator Winston Hibler.

The lemming suicide scene was actually faked. The particular lemmings that appear in the film, not only don't commit suicide, but also don't even migrate.

This film received mixed reviews from critics, however it was a big hit at the box office, and won an academy award for best documentary, and was nominated for best music.

                                                               Review
Quite good nature documentary.

The photography in this film is absolutely incredible. Every scene is just lovely to look at. Much of the footage, leaves an audience in awe, wondering how the photographers could get these beautiful images.

Again I am not a fan of the narration or comedy of this series. Here though it is much less distracting than it is in earlier Disney nature documentaries. The problem really is that the humor and narration are just unfunny, and unnecessary.

This film features probably one of the best scores of the True Life Adventures. Unlike many previous True Life Adventures, the score here complements the action rather than distracts from it. While during some of the comedy scenes the score can still get distractedly comedic, unlike other True Life Adventures this is much rarer in White Wilderness. More often then not in this film the score represents the majesty of nature than the comedic parts of this film.

Overall a quite well made film.

                                                               Film Credits
Director: James Algar
Writer: James Algar.
Narrator: Winston Hibler
Producers: Walt Disney, Ben Sharpsteen
Music: Oliver Wallace, Evelyn Kennedy, Clifford Vaughan
Photographers: Lloyd Beebe, Herb Crisler, Lois Crisler, James R. Simon, Hugh A. Wilmar, Dick Bird, William H. Carrick, Tom McHugh, Cecil Rhode, Rickard Tegström, Carl Thomsen
Editor: Norman R. Palmer
Production Manager: Erwin L. Verity
Special Effects: Ub Iwerks
Effects Animators: Joshua Meador, Art Riley
Sound Artist: Robert O. Cook
                                                                      Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052389/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/White%20Wilderness

-Michael J. Ruhland

The Light in the Forest

History and Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland












Year Released:1958
Michael's Movie Grade:B+

                                                  History
The Light in the Forest was again a film made hugely because of Disney's success with westerns. Such films as Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier, The Great Locomotive Chase, Westward Ho, the Wagons!, and Old Yeller had proved that westerns could be a very profitable and popular style of film for Disney to pursue. Starting with Old Yeller, which was the Disney feature right before this film the Disney westerns were being less action based. For instance this film is a fairly serious look at race relations in particular between whites and American Indians.This is something while brought up in the Davy Crockett films and Westward Ho, the Wagons! was not truly discussed as it would be here.

The director of this film was Herschel Daugherty, who is definitely a director more associated with working in television than on the big screen. He had directed for such TV shows as Alfred Hitchcock Presents (one of Disney's best live action directors Robert Stevenson regularly directed for this show as well), Rawhide, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Gunsmoke, Star Terk and Bonanza. He also directed some made for TV features such as The Victim, The Slowest Gun in the West and Twice in a Lifetime. This was his first time directing something that would be released in theaters rather than on TV.  He would only direct two other theatrical movies The Raiders, and El magnifico extranjer, both of which were also westerns. This would be his first and last film for the Disney Studio.

Much of the footage for The Light in the Forest was shot in Tennessee. However the footage taking place in the American Indian Camp was shot at the Rowland V. Lee Ranch in California. Much of that footage would also be supervised by Iron Eye's Cody, who was believed to be an American Indian. He had previously been an actor for Disney in Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier and Westward Ho The Wagons. He made a good career out of playing Indians in westerns, both for the big and small screen. He acted in such feature length westerns as A Man Called Horse, Broken Arrow, and Son of Paleface. He would also appear in the western TV shows Maverick, Bonanza, Cheyenne, Rawhide, Wagon Train and Gunsmoke. Later his origins would be challenged when writer Angela Aleiss would prove that he was actually Italian. However due to his strong support for the rights of those he claimed as his people, he would be honored by Hollywood's Native American Society.

This film would be the last teaming of Disney and Fess Parker. With this film and Old Yeller before it, Fess had been getting supporting roles. He was getting tired of supporting roles quite quickly and wanted to be known for more than just doing Disney westerns. When asked to play a small role in Disney's next feature length western he turned it down and left the studio forever. However it is worth noting that his role here was much bigger than his role in Old Yeller was.

Critics really liked this film and were happy to see Disney approaching such a serious subject matter. However it is unknown at this time how this film did at the box office.

Review

Very charming and quite moving film.

What really makes this film work is the respect shown to the movie's subject matter. While it may not be as complex as the book this film still is a lot more complex than it would in the hands of lesser filmmakers. There is not a good or a bad side in this film. Both sides are filled with good and bad people. Hatred is shown as equally wrong on both sides. It would have been so easy to just simplify this to the point of having one side good and one bad, but this film is above that.

Another thing that makes this film work is just how likable the main character is. We relate to him strongly and sympathize with his plight. He is a very well meaning person, and he is played quite well by James MacArthur. most of the characters are also quite likable and well acted. The character of Wilse Owens may be the exception as he is a bit too much of a one note character, though even that doesn't hurt the movie too much. 

Like most Disney movies from this time the film looks great. Ellsworth Fredericks' cinematography specially stands out.

Film Credits

Director: Herschel Daugherty

Writer: Lawrence Edward Watkin

Based on a novel by Conrad Richter

Cast: James MacArthur (Johnny Butler,True Son), Carol Lynley (Shenandoe), Joanne Dru (Milly Elder),  Jessica Tandy (Myra Butler), Fess Parker (Del Hardy), Wendell Corey (Wilse Owens), John McIntire (John Elder), Joseph Calleia (Chief Cuyloga), Rafael Campos (Half Arrow), Frank Ferguson (Harry Butler), Dean Fredericks (Niskitoon),  Marian Seldes (Kate Owens), Stephen Bekassy (Col. Henry Bouquet), Sam Buffington (George Owens), Robert Anderson (Capt. Grant), Pat Brady (Musician), Gloria Castillo (Regina), Iron Eyes Cody (Cuyloga's Counsellor), Nancy Crawford (Party Guest), Myrna Fahey (Hannah Moore), George Ford (Party Guest), Kevin Hagen (Fiddler), Jimmie Horan (Party Guest), George Keymas (Trader), Kay E. Kuter (Fiddler), Eddie Little Sky (Little Crane), Jack Lorenz (Guard), Noralee Norman (Party Guest),  Bernie Sellman (Paddler), Vince St. Cyr (Brave),  Harriet Sumner (Settler), Walter Sumner (Guard), Joyce Vanderveen (Little Crane's Wife), Don Washbrook (Party Guest), Will J. White (

Leader)

Producer: Walt Disney

Music: Evelyn Kennedy, Franklyn Marks, Beau Vanden Ecker, Elmer Ellsworth, Leonard Harris, Esther Krebs

Songwriter: Hazel George 

Cinematographer: Ellsworth Fredericks

Editor: Stanley E. Johnson

Art Director: Carroll Clark

Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, Fred M. MacLean

Costume Artists: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne

Makeup Artists: Pat McNalley, Ruth Sandifer, Tom Bartholomew, Linda Cross, Willon Fields, John G. Holden, Lillian Lashin, Fae M. Smith, Jack Stone, Hazel R. Thompson

Production Manager: John Grubbs

Assistant Production Manager: William F. Sheehan

Unit Manager: Virgil Hart

Assistant Directors: Robert G. Shannon, Jack Cunningham, Cliff Reid Jr., William F. Sheehan

Second Unit Director: Peter Ellenshaw

Painter: Peter Ellenshaw

Propmen: Roy Bolton, Jack Boss, Charles Chrisman, Jack Colconda, Abe Siegel

Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Dean Thomas, James Lester Gear, Tom Goldrich, Malcolm Rennings, Lou Skelton

Stunt Artists: Harvey Parry, Al Wyatt Sr.

Technical Advisor: Iron Eyes Cody 

Resources Used

The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051864/?ref_=rvi_tt

http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Light%20in%20the%20Forest%20%28The%29

-Michael J. Ruhland

Old Yeller

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

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