The Best Live Action Disney Movies
The best live action Disney films from the era of Walt himself !
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- DirectorRobert StevensonStarsJulie AndrewsDick Van DykeDavid TomlinsonIn turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.Walt’s crowing achievement. it may have taken him 20 years to get the rights from stubborn author, Pamela Travers but it certainly paid off, Robert Stevenson brilliantly directs and Julie Andrews definitely made a name for herself.
A underrated member of the cast is The late David Tomlinson who also appeared in Herbie and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, he certainly deserves more respect from Disney buffs ! - DirectorRobert StevensonStarsDorothy McGuireFess ParkerTommy KirkA teenage boy grows to love a stray yellow dog while helping his mother and younger brother run their Texas homestead while their father is away on a cattle drive. First thought to be good-for-nothing mutt, Old Yeller is soon beloved by all.Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran Star together for the first time as brothers in Old Yeller !
The story of 2 boys, there yellow dog named Yeller and there adventures on there Texas farm. the ending is one of cinema’s most heartbreaking moments but People at Disney wanted to take it out because they dubbed it too sad for a ending but Walt insisted it stayed in because he knew children watching couldn’t be talked down to and told everything will be fine when in life people die and that’s just fact. - DirectorCharles BartonStarsFred MacMurrayJean HagenTommy KirkA teenage boy is cursed with periodically turning into a sheepdog.In The Shaggy Dog, Disney makes fun of horror !
Starring Fred MacMurray and Tommy Kirk this is a comedy classic for all ages ! - DirectorRobert StevensonStarsAlbert SharpeJanet MunroSean ConneryA wily old codger matches wits with the King of the Leprechauns and helps play matchmaker for his daughter and the strapping lad who has replaced him as caretaker.Walt Often Expressed he had Irish heritage and he did so naturally Ireland and Irish Folklore was a interest of his - He wanted children to genuinely believe that The leprechauns weren’t actors so what came out of that Desire was I Captured the king the leprechauns, definitely one of his best tv achievements - Pre James Bond Sean Connery doesn’t impress But The beautiful Janet Munro is a delight, Albert Sharpe is also fun!
- DirectorDavid SwiftStarsJane WymanHayley MillsRichard EganA young girl comes to an embittered town and confronts its attitude with her determination to see the best in life.Hayley Mills was given the final Juvenile Oscar ever rewarded for her Disney debut, Pollyanna and it’s clear to see why, Hayley (Daughter of Legendary Sir John Mills) takes on Screen greats like Jane Wyman, Kevin Corcoran and Karl Malden like a natural !
- DirectorJames NeilsonStarsHayley MillsEli WallachPola NegriA teenager encounters romance, intrigue and a search for stolen jewels during her visit to the island of Crete.The Moon-Spinners sadly was quickly forgotten since Disney soon after released Mary Poppins but to me it’s a classic since I’ve been watching it for quite a while! Crete is absolutely Beautiful and Hayley Mills also is Stunning! She is now a young woman (18) and gorgeous, Mills is given her first on screen kiss in The Moon-Spinners with Co star Peter McEnery - The Villain is marvellously played by western great Eli Wallach
- DirectorKen AnnakinStarsJohn MillsDorothy McGuireJames MacArthurA Swiss family must survive being shipwrecked on a deserted island.This is the best film Ken Anakin ever made with a star studded cast, Sir John Mills, Dorothy McGuire (Old Yeller), James MacArthur and Janet Munro !
It’s a fantasy adventure epic, filmed on Tobago Swiss is a joy to look at. the race with all the animals (Zebra, Ostrich, Elephant etc) Is hugely entertaining and the conflict between MacArthur and Tommy Kirk when they fight over Janet Munro is played perfectly - DirectorJames NeilsonStarsKevin CorcoranDon C. HarveyDarryl HickmanJohnny Shiloh is a 1963 made for TV film that originally aired in two parts on the Wonderful World of Disney in Color. It was released in other countries theatrically as one film and is on DVD as one film. Johnny Shiloh is the true story about Johnny Clem, the ten year old drummer boy who became a union officer in the Civil War.The greatest tv film made my Disney about young Drummer boy, Johnny who fights in Mr Lincoln’s army during the American civil war against his father’s commands. Kevin Corcoran and Brian Keith Star!
- DirectorHarve FosterWilfred JacksonStarsRuth WarrickBobby DriscollJames BaskettThe kindly story-teller Uncle Remus tells a young boy stories about trickster Br'er Rabbit, who outwits Br'er Fox and slow-witted Br'er Bear.Although extremely controversial I Believe that Walt Disney’s Song of the south has many notable assets including James Baskett (The man playing Uncle Remus) an completely flawless talent who brings so much warmth to the film and Also the Animated sequences starring Brer Rabbit and his enemies are Very impressive.
Icon, Hattie McDaniels also makes her presence known when singing a wonderful song with James called Sooner or later when making him a pie. - DirectorJack DonohueStarsRay BolgerTommy SandsAnnette FunicelloMary Contrary is set to marry Tom Piper when he is kidnapped by Roderigo and Gonzorgo, two goons working for the evil Barnaby who wants to marry Mary for her inheritance.Although quite flawed this was Walt’s first live action musical so he wasn’t exactly a pro yet, but the villain played By Ray Bolger is the perfect stereotypical villain, the Dazzling Annette And Tommy Sands sing some fun tunes and Ed Wynn and Tommy Kirk get some laughs !
- DirectorDavid SwiftStarsHayley MillsMaureen O'HaraBrian KeithTeenage twin sisters swap places and scheme to reunite their divorced parents.Sometimes the original The Parent Trap is forgotten due to the some how popular remake starring Addict and fallen star Lindsay Lohan but the original starring Disney Legend, Hayley Mills will always be the best in my heart!
- DirectorKen AnnakinStarsRichard ToddJoan RicePeter FinchWhen King Richard the Lionheart leaves England to lead a crusade to the Holy Land, his treacherous brother conspires to bring himself to power.This live action Robin Hood shouldn’t be ignored because of the animated version from the 70’s because this is a English swashbuckling adventure at its very best!
Starring Richard Todd as Robin and directed by Ken Anakin - DirectorMichael O'HerlihyStarsPeter McEnerySusan HampshireTom AdamsAfter inheriting his father's title, the young noble, Hugh O'Connell, is taken hostage by the English viceroy but escapes to lead an uprising.Another underrated gem of the Disney library is The Fighting Prince of Donegal starring Susan Hampshire and Peter McEnery (Hayley Mills’ Love interest in The Moon-Spinners)
One of few great English swashbucklers by Disney, it stands with greats like The Sword and the Rose, Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue and Robin Hood of course ! - DirectorRobert StevensonStarsHayley MillsDean JonesDorothy ProvineAfter a kidnapped bank teller uses a neighbor's wandering cat to send an S.O.S., the F.B.I. assigns a cat-allergic Agent to the case.Hayley stars in her final Disney film before the Disney Channel films but funnily enough this is Dean Jones’ first!
A brilliant comedy with exciting characters Like Hayley’s boyfriend Canoe who is one of the greatest love interests in comedy history !!! - DirectorWilliam FairchildStarsTony BrittonJohn FraserAnnette Funicello"The Horsemasters" was a 2-part episode of "The Magical World of Walt Disney" TV show from 1961 which screened theatrically in some countries.A group of young people do a course in horsemanship in England.Here’s the first Disney film that The Sherman Brothers Were involved in, they wrote the song, Strumming Song.
Annette, Tommy Kirk and Janet Munro Star ! - DirectorNorman TokarStarsFred MacMurrayVera MilesLillian GishA man settles down in a small town and becomes the scoutmaster.Fred MacMurray and Kurt Russell were favourites of Walt’s and they come together perfectly in Follow Me Boys! A wonderful coming of age film also starring Vera Miles
- DirectorRobert StevensonStarsHayley MillsMaurice ChevalierGeorge SandersIn 19th century England, young Mary Grant and her brother, Robert, embark on a dangerous quest to find their missing father, a sea captain who vanished somewhere along the Chilean coast.Some of my favourite Sherman Brothers songs come from In Search Of The Castaways, Enjoy It! And Castaway, one a bouncy and energetic song sung By Hayley and Maurice Chevalier and the other a slow and sentimental ballad from Hayley alone !
Great effects too! (for 1962) - DirectorJames NeilsonStarsFred MacMurrayJane WymanMichael CallanA family takes a long delayed trip to Europe and finds an unending series of comedy adventures.Unfortunately Bon Voyage! Was slammed by Critics mostly for including A French prostitute in a scene which Walt caught Hell for. Fred MacMurray and Jane Wyman Star in a film about a American family on a trip to Paris and all shorts of Mis Adventure await them! I personally get a kick out of it and watch it every know and again!
Fred and Jane’s children are played by Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran and another attractive Disney girl, Deborah Walley. - DirectorRichard FleischerStarsKirk DouglasJames MasonPaul LukasA ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.20,000 leagues is seen by many as one of the greatest Disney films made mostly because of its groundbreaking effects and great cast Including Kirk Douglas and James Mason.
Based on The Jules Verne book, this is a very exciting picture which never stops (and I mean that in a good way) - DirectorCharles BartonStarsKevin CorcoranHenry CalvinGene SheldonTaken in by distant members of his family after being orphaned, Toby Tyler runs away to join the circus.Moochie stars as Toby Tyler, a young boy who runs of with the travelling circus after his aunt and uncle tell him they don’t love him, he meets chimp, Mr Stubbs who he Soon becomes great friends with, in a sense it’s a Buddie Movie !