View Full Version : 1970s Disney Classics
Partly in response to to-days story on the new live action Disney DVD releases, what are some of your favorite Disney films from the 1970s?
It can be animated or live action ...
I would pick: Charley and the Angel ('73)
The Strongest Man in the World ('75)
The Million Dollar Duck ('71)
No Deposit, No Return ('76)
and of course, Escape to Witch Mountain ('75)
Oh, but I guess, I could add another half dozen or more on the same list, but these are the ones I always think of first. I couldn't think of any animated films for my list, though maybe one of you could convince me of one that may be deserving from that era.
Bill Catherall
03-05-2003, 08:06 AM
The Black Hole (1979)
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
Pete's Dragon (1977)
And I was also going to say Condorman, but I looked it up and it was released in 1981.
merlinjones
03-05-2003, 08:37 AM
Aristocats
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Barefoot Executive
Escape to Witch Mountain
The Black Hole
Pete's Dragon
World's Greatest Athlete
Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh
Rescuers
Apple Dumpling Gang
Child of Glass
Robin Hood
Herbie Rides Again
I love all the films mentioned so far. Here's one for you BIll & merlin, since you brought up, The Black Hole. First, I love that movie, and I have made all my friends sit through it , but if I could re-do any Disney film, it would be TBH. (Hmm, Which Disney film would you Re-do may be a good thread in and of itself) TBH has moments of sheer beauty and wonder, the best 'evil' robot in ANY Sci-Fi movie, some of the best character actors in the business, terrific surrealism (the mad scientist, floating in space (!) 'entering' the soul of his robot so he can travel through the BH) and one of the single coolest scenes I have ever seen (dig, that rolling meteor!) but man, is that movie flawed. Why on earth did they pick Gary Nelson to direct it? Maltin wrote that its a good flick that should have been a great film. I agree. It should have been placed in the hands of a real pro
It had everything going for it: zombies, Ellenshaw art direction, a mad Nemo-like scientist and hands down, the coolest space ship ever created for film, yet, it is so wooden and at times, so ... well, just laughable (a 'best shot' contest between robots? Hah? Why?).
Any thoughts?
merlinjones
03-05-2003, 11:10 AM
>>I love all the films mentioned so far. Here's one for you BIll & merlin, since you brought up, The Black Hole. First, I love that movie, and I have made all my friends sit through it , but if I could re-do any Disney film, it would be TBH. <<
The basic concept is a good one. How about a TVM pilot remake? Sort of Lost in Space Beyond the Black Hole...
>>(Hmm, Which Disney film would you Re-do may be a good thread in and of itself) <<
I agree. Dr. Syn would top my list.
tiggerandtink
03-05-2003, 12:29 PM
Ok, I know it was early 80's (82?), but I'm sure the groundwork for it was laid in the 70's so I'm going to add Tron to the list here, for a fav, and one that would be cool to remake, not because of any flaw with the original but because technology has improved so much imagine what they could do now. Of course Disney probably wouldn't want to spend that kind of money on it though:(
mad4mky
03-05-2003, 12:53 PM
How come no one mentioned "North Ave. Irregulars"?...
Funny, funny movie.:D
And don't forget "The Boatniks"...
As a kid...I thought it was hilarious.:D
Mad4, I wholeheartedly agree, The North Ave Irregulars was great. As was the Boatniks. I even dig the Herbie sequels (the image of the super bug driving up the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge is forever etched in my mind.) I don't know why exactly, but for me Charley and the Angel was. perhaps, the best. Maybe I'm a sentimentalist, but that film always was/is a pleasure to watch. Great cast, too.
I've said this before in a previous thread, but the 1970s, were for me, the Golden Age of Disney comedies. Joe Flynn was the perfect Disney foil. The Disney's comedies from that era would have been much less without him. Funny guy. God bless, him. Any JF fans?
mad4mky
03-06-2003, 07:52 AM
Originally posted by Tref
I've said this before in a previous thread, but the 1970s, were for me, the Golden Age of Disney comedies. Joe Flynn was the perfect Disney foil. The Disney's comedies from that era would have been much less without him. Funny guy. God bless, him. Any JF fans?
I grew up watching re-runs of McHale's Navy...so I knew Joe Flynn even before he began appearing in Disney films (yep...I am that old.
I think he was hilarious! Perfect as a leading foil...as well as the foil's sidekick.
HTHBellcaptain
03-07-2003, 06:03 PM
Originally posted by mad4mky
How come no one mentioned "North Ave. Irregulars"?...
Funny, funny movie.:D
And don't forget "The Boatniks"...
As a kid...I thought it was hilarious.:D
Bless you, Mad4mky. North Avenue Irregulars is one of my all time favorite movies.
I also love "The Boatniks." "Candleshoe" "Hot Lead and Cold Feet" and "The Littlest Horse Thieves are other great Disney films from the 70's.
By the way, does anyone have a link to the new Disney DVD anousement?
Bill Catherall
03-07-2003, 06:34 PM
Originally posted by HTHBellcaptain
By the way, does anyone have a link to the new Disney DVD anousement? It was the 3/5 Home Theater article Live Action Classics (http://www.mouseplanet.com/hometheater/ht030305kk.htm).
adriennek
03-07-2003, 06:41 PM
Here's a list of upcoming releases (http://www.mouseplanet.com/hometheater/ht030225kk-1.htm) posted on the Home Theater on 2/25.
Adrienne K
Not Afraid
03-07-2003, 07:09 PM
I don't know my film tears very well, but here's my list:
Any of the Herbie Movies
The One and Only Genuine, Original Family Band
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
I believe there are many other that I need to see still.
HTHBellcaptain
03-10-2003, 05:47 PM
Thanks for the links. I can't wait to get "20,000 Leagues" and "Treasure Island." I only wish that they were doing a special edition of Treasure Island. Oh well.
I believe its time Disney formally recognised the greatest of their live action canon, particularly those films made in the 1960s and 70s with a 're-union' special or some sort of retrospective. At the very least some better detailed DVD releases, with bonuses and whatnot.
I.r.
merlinjones
03-25-2003, 04:31 PM
>>I believe its time Disney formally recognised the greatest of their live action canon... (snip)... At the very least some better detailed DVD releases, with bonuses and whatnot.<<
The Vault Disney titles: Parent Trap, Pollyanna, Swiss Family Robinson and Old Yeller were definitely nop notch. 20,000 Leagues and Love Bug are reportedly getting the same treatment (but sans the VD branding).
Treasure Island, Song of the South, So Dear to My Heart, Third Man on the Mountain, Absent-Minded Professor/Son of Flubber, Shaggy Dog, Babes in Toyland, Thomasina, Dr. Syn, Mary Poppins, That Darn Cat, Moon-Spinners, Summer Magic, Castaways, Merlin Jones/Monkey's Uncle and Darby O'Gill should get the same!
But Eisner has decreed that less should be spent on supplimentary DVD materials...
Morrigoon
03-25-2003, 08:11 PM
Pete's Dragon
Summer Magic (oops prolly 60's)
Said Merlin, "But Eisner has decreed that less should be spent on supplimentary DVD materials..."
I know at least with me, the addition of supplimentary materials will often be the deciding factor for purchasing a DVD. Without them, the movie is just another rental.
Eisner is so out of touch now and its getting near the point of being sad and pathetic.
I.r.
Incidentally, Thomasina has always been a film I wanted to see. Especially, being a fan of Patrick Macgoohan.
Summer Magic? Never heard of it. I'll have to look it up.
I.r.
mad4mky
03-26-2003, 09:58 AM
Originally posted by Tref
Summer Magic? Never heard of it. I'll have to look it up.
I.r.
Haven't you heard the song "The Ugly Bug Ball"? Cute song...sung by Burl Ives...It's from the movie...
The kid who plays "Moochie" is in it...Hayley Mills...Deborah Walley...ring any bells?
I am afraid it doesn't ring any bells at all. But I did look it up on IMDB.com. It stars Michael J Pollard! Not bad. Not as good as Patrick Macgoohan but close! And ANYTHING with Hayley Mills is worth watching, so, I'll have to check it out ...
... if its available.
I.r.
merlinjones
03-26-2003, 01:40 PM
Summer Magic is very cute, tuneful and Hayley is radiant, but the movie is not on the level of Parent Trap or Pollyanna. Still, very fun, light musical comedy.
Thomasina, however, is one of Walt's very best live-action films. Goohan is great, the subject matter is unusual and substantial. One of my very favorites.