Swiss Family Robinson (Dir: Edward Ludwig, 1940).
A little seen RKO adaptation of the classic Johann Wyss novel. When Walt Disney produced his own feature film of Swiss Family Robinson (Ken Annakin, 1960) he also purchased the rights to this earlier version. Since then it has remained largely unseen but has recently surfaced on the Disney+ streaming service.
It tells the well known tale of a family fleeing the Napoleonic Wars who end up shipwrecked on a tropical isle. Learning to cope with island life, they build an elaborate treehouse and have various run-ins with the local wildlife.
A little seen RKO adaptation of the classic Johann Wyss novel. When Walt Disney produced his own feature film of Swiss Family Robinson (Ken Annakin, 1960) he also purchased the rights to this earlier version. Since then it has remained largely unseen but has recently surfaced on the Disney+ streaming service.
It tells the well known tale of a family fleeing the Napoleonic Wars who end up shipwrecked on a tropical isle. Learning to cope with island life, they build an elaborate treehouse and have various run-ins with the local wildlife.
Those familiar with the later movie may be surprised to see an extra family member; son Jack is absent from the Disney adaptation. Fans of that movie will definitely be surprised to find no pirates and no Captain’s daughter disguised as a boy! While this is truer to the novel, it feels like half a movie, with little development between the family arriving on the island and their inevitable rescue.
If Walt Disney was concerned that his movie would suffer in comparison with this, he shouldn't have been. This Swiss Family Robinson is hopelessly stiff with stilted dialogue and characters who are a little hard to warm to. Thomas Mitchell gives a solid performance as the head of the family, but to be honest, I missed the warmer portrayal by John Mills in the remake. Likewise, the one-dimensional characterisations of his sons as variously warmongering, bookish and a dandy lack the necessary appeal to be truly sympathetic.
While there is no scene quite as joyous as that of the family gathered around the organ singing O Christmas Tree as in the Disney movie, there are compensations. The effects are good; the shipwreck and the storms are particularly impressive. Plus, as one of golden age Hollywood's most appealing character actors, Mr Mitchell is never less than watchable. Ultimately, The more robust Disney movie is more exciting, more colourful and essentially much more fun than its starchy forebearer. Nonetheless, it is an entertaining enough 90 odd minutes and makes for fascinating viewing for fans of the later movie.
If Walt Disney was concerned that his movie would suffer in comparison with this, he shouldn't have been. This Swiss Family Robinson is hopelessly stiff with stilted dialogue and characters who are a little hard to warm to. Thomas Mitchell gives a solid performance as the head of the family, but to be honest, I missed the warmer portrayal by John Mills in the remake. Likewise, the one-dimensional characterisations of his sons as variously warmongering, bookish and a dandy lack the necessary appeal to be truly sympathetic.
While there is no scene quite as joyous as that of the family gathered around the organ singing O Christmas Tree as in the Disney movie, there are compensations. The effects are good; the shipwreck and the storms are particularly impressive. Plus, as one of golden age Hollywood's most appealing character actors, Mr Mitchell is never less than watchable. Ultimately, The more robust Disney movie is more exciting, more colourful and essentially much more fun than its starchy forebearer. Nonetheless, it is an entertaining enough 90 odd minutes and makes for fascinating viewing for fans of the later movie.
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