Thirty Days of Disney Movies, Day Five - Favorite Action Film

Robin (Richard Todd) takes aim.

It would have been easy to choose a Pirates movie as best action film in my 30-day Disney movie project. For that matter, The Rocketeer wouldn't have been a bad choice either. But, I was feeling nostalgic, so I reached back a bit further to a time when "action film" still meant high adventure without any explosions or Bruce Willis.

I chose 1952's The Story of Robin Hood.

To help rebuild its economy after World War II, England froze the assets of foreign companies that did business there (Disney among them) to obligate them to spend their money within the nation. Unhindered by the inconvenience, Walt Disney seized the opportunity to produce a number of well-crafted, live-action films in England. The Story of Robin Hood, with its spirited action sequences and sumptuous outdoor locales, is among the best of that bunch. It's certainly miles ahead of the cartoon remake Disney churned out in 1973.

It's the familiar legend of the charming rogue Robin Hood (Richard Todd), who, with his band of merry men, steals from the rich, gives to the poor, and torments the corrupt Prince John (Hubert Gregg) and his henchman, the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Peter Finch). Robin and his men are loyal to King Richard (Patrick Barr), who is off fighting the Crusades and is unaware of the excesses of his brother John, who is unfairly taxing his subjects to line his own pockets.

Robin Hood has the requisite amount of archery, swordplay and derring-do, and director Ken Annakin keeps the action lively and fun. Todd is less flamboyant as Robin than Errol Flynn was in the better known Hollywood classic The Adventures of Robin Hood, but he's also more rugged, presenting himself as a better suited outdoorsman. As Robin's love interest, Maid Marian (Joan Rice) is both sweet and feisty and there is great chemistry between the two.

For movie adventure, The Story of Robin Hood is an overlooked gem from the Disney Studios.

Coming up next, Walt Disney never did horror movies, or did he?

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Thirty Days of Disney Movies, Day Four - Favorite Drama

Dorothy McGuire, Tommy Kirk
and Old Yeller

I'll get straight to the point. If Old Yeller doesn't make you tear up, you have no soul.

Sure, it's the movie that became the template for every boy and his dog story to come out of Hollywood over the last 50 years--it's a cliche. But, it's also one of Disney's most emotionally direct and honest live action films with a terrific performance by its young star Tommy Kirk.

Old Yeller begins with Texas rancher Jim Coates (Fess Parker) joining a cattle drive for three months to earn money for his family. He leaves behind his wife Katie (Dorothy McGuire) and his two sons Travis (Kirk) and Arliss (Kevin Corcoran). Being the oldest, Travis becomes the man of the house and takes to his new role with the brashness and arrogance of a young'un that's more than a boy, but not quire a man. When a stray yellow dog wanders onto the homestead, Travis's first inclination is to run the mangy critter off.  After all, the mutt steals food, upsets the livestock and generally busts up the property. Katie urges Travis to be patient, though. Old Yeller could turn out to be a good dog for young Arliss, and Travis could train him to be helpful around the ranch.

It comes as no surprise, then, when Yeller shows his mettle, becomes a skilled ranch dog and protects both boys from the dangers of the wilderness. Travis and the dog inevitably bond and we get sucked right into the emotion of their relationship. So, when tragedy strikes <sniff> and Travis has to man-up to do what's right <sniffle>, there isn't a dry eye in the house.

You're getting a little misty-eyed right now, aren't you?

This is part four of my 30-day Disney movie challenge. Tomorrow, the story Disney got horribly wrong, they first got very right...and it's my favorite Disney action film.

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Thirty Days of Disney Movies, Day Three - Favorite Comedy

When I first started thinking about my favorite Disney comedy, only one movie popped into my head, even though I hadn't seen it in years.

The Love Bug.

A quick visit to Amazon ($1.99 video on demand--sweet!) reminded me exactly why I liked the movie so much. This 1968 fantasy about a Volkswagen Beetle with a personality of its own is funny, sweet and absolutely charming.

Down on his luck race car driver Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) can't win a race to save his life. Through a strange series of events, he acquires an old VW from crafty auto dealer--and racing rival--Peter Thorndyke (delightfully evil David Tomlinson). Soon, Douglas discovers there's more to this little Bug than just pistons and bolts as the car starts accelerating and steering of its own accord. Douglas dismisses the car's antics as nothing that can't be fixed with a few tools, and commences to get it in racing shape with the help of his best friend Tennessee (goofy, muffin-faced Buddy Hackett). Then, suddenly, Douglas starts winning. But, is it because of his skills as a driver....or does this magical Beetle (which Tennessee has named Herbie) have his own ticket to ride?

Disney dished out a lot of benign, cookie cutter comedies in the 1960s and '70s, but none that could match the fun of The Love Bug. It's not a laugh-out-loud comedy, although there are a number of decent chuckles during the racing sequences, especially those tied to Herbie's extreme dislike of Thorndyke. Mostly, it's a movie that makes you smile, whether at the absurdity of a car that thinks it's human, or at the sweet romance that blossoms between Douglas and Thorndyke's plucky assistant Carole (Michele Lee). The movie makes you feel good--and it reminded me I need to stop waiting so long between viewings.

Dean Jones and Herbie

This is part three of my 30-day Disney movie challenge. In tomorrow's installment, "the best doggone dog in the west" stars in my favorite Disney drama.

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