Toby Tyler
- This is about the film. For the 1880 book see Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus. For the musician previously known as 'Toby Tyler', see Marc Bolan.
| Toby Tyler | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Charles Barton |
| Produced by | Bill Walsh |
| Written by |
James Otis Kaler (novel) Lillie Hayward and Bill Walsh (screenplay) |
| Starring |
Kevin Corcoran Henry Calvin Gene Sheldon Richard Eastham |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
Release dates | January 21, 1960 |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3,100,000 (US/ Canada)[1] |
Toby Tyler is a film produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Company on January 21, 1960. It is based on the 1880 children's book Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus by James Otis Kaler.
It stars several actors best known for their work on the two pioneering Disney television shows of the late 1950s: Kevin Corcoran (better known as Moochie) from the Spin and Marty serials on Mickey Mouse Club, and Zorro co-stars Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon. Sheldon speaks in this movie.
This was shot at Golden Oak Ranch in Newhall, California.
The film aired repeatedly on the Walt Disney anthology television series.
Synopsis
After his stern Uncle Daniel describes him as a "millstone", ten year old Toby Tyler runs away from his foster home to join the circus. There he soon befriends Mr. Stubbs, a frisky chimpanzee. However, the circus isn't all fun and games. His employer Harry Tupper, the candy vendor, is cruel and greedy. He convinces Toby that his Aunt Olive and Uncle Daniel don't love him or want him back and hides their letters. Toby resigns himself to circus life, even scoring himself a much bigger role. When he discovers, with the help of Mr. Stubbs, that Harry lied to him about his aunt and uncle he departs the circus for home. Mr. Stubbs follows him and Toby decides to take the chimp home with him. Soon after, though, Mr. Stubbs is chased by a hunter's dog. The hunter, Jim Weaver, accidentally shoots Mr. Stubbs just as Harry arrives to haul Toby back to the circus.
Back at the circus, Toby finds his aunt and uncle in attendance, leading to a tearful reunion. When Harry tries to pursue Toby, he's obstructed by Ben, who confronts him for tampering with Toby's mail and warns him to leave him alone. Joyfully, just before Toby's performance, with his family in attendance, he discovers that Mr. Stubbs has survived his wounds, having been brought back to the circus by Jim. Relieved, Toby begins his performance on horseback, only to have Mr. Stubbs jump down from the trapeze to join him, thus creating a wonderful new act for the circus.
Cast
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Toby Tyler | Kevin Corcoran |
| Harry Tupper | Bob Sweeney |
| Sam Treat | Gene Sheldon |
| Ben Cotter | Henry Calvin |
| Colonel Sam Castle | Richard Eastham |
| Jim Weaver | James Drury |
| Mademoiselle Jeanette | Barbara Beaird |
| Monsieur Ajax | Dennis Olivieri |
| Aunt Olive | Edith Evanson |
| Uncle Daniel | Tom Fadden |
| Circus Cook (uncredited) | Henry Rowland |
| Bit Role (uncredited) | Kermit Maynard |
| Drummer (uncredited) | James MacDonald |
| Bandleader (as Ollie Wallace) | Oliver Wallace |
| Downtown Parade Organist | James Dietrich |
| Michael McGreevey | |
| Jailbird (uncredited) | William Challee |
| Roustabout (uncredited) | John Cliff |
| Ringling Brothers Clown (uncredited) | 'Eddie Spaghetti' Emerson |
| Ringling Brothers Clown (uncredited) | Abe Goldstein |
| Townsman (uncredited) | Sam Harris |
| Ringling Brothers Clown (uncredited) | Duke Johnson |
| Ringling Brothers Clown (uncredited) | Harry C. Johnson |
| Sheriff (uncredited) | Jess Kirkpatrick |
| Wife in Audience (uncredited) | Ruth Lee |
| Townsman (uncredited) | Herbert Lytton |
| (uncredited) | Kermit Maynard |
| Ticket-Taker (uncredited) | Howard Negley |
| Jailbird (uncredited) | William Newell |
| Circus Cook (uncredited) | Henry Rowland |
| (uncredited) | Barry Seltzer |
| Husband in Audience (uncredited) | Robert Shayne |
| Townsman (uncredited) | Guy Wilkerson |
DVD release
The film issued on DVD on August 2, 2005 (the same day as Johnny Tremain).
References
- ↑ "Rental Potentials of 1960", Variety, 4 January 1961 p 47. Please note figures are rentals as opposed to total gross.