The 1960s was a busy era for Walt Disney Productions. Aside from Walt Disney’s newest project, Disneyland, the company is also busy bringing books and plays into life and creating animated and live action movies. Even if Disneyland got the most of the public’s attention, Disney never failed to release revolutionary movies and innovate their technology with the invention of audio animatronics. That’s why the 1960s was a great decade for Disney films and here are the movies to prove it.
Pollyanna
Pollyanna is a live action drama film that was based on a novel of the same title by Eleanor H. Porter. It was directed by David Swift and it was released in 1960. It starred Richard Egan, Jane Wyman, Karl Malden, and child actress Hayley Mills. Pollyanna tells the story of a cheerful orphan who changed the outlook of a small town. This film won child actress Haley Mills an Academy Juvenile Award.
Kidnapped
Kidnapped is a live action film that was adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1886 novel of the same title. Kidnapped was Disney’s second movie that was based on a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, the first movie was Treasure Island. It starred Bernard Lee, Peter Finch, and James MacArthur.
Swiss Family Robinson
Swiss Family Robinson is an adventure film that was released in 1960. It was directed by Ken Annakin and starred Dorothy McGuire, Tommy Kirk, John Mills, Janet Munro, Kevin Corcoran, and James MacArthur. This movie was based loosely based on an 1812 novel of the same title by Johan David Wyss. The movie is about a shipwrecked family who builds an island home.
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
One Hundred and One Dalmatians or 101 Dalmatians is an animated film that was released in 1961. It is another Disneyfied movie because it is based on a novel with the same title by Dodie Smith. This movie was Disney’s 17th animated film and it follows the story of Dalmatian puppies that were kidnapped by an evil woman named Cruella de Vil who wants to turn the Dalmatian’s fur into coats.
The Parent Trap
The Parent Trap is a live action film that was released in 1961. It is based on a 1946 book by Erich Kastner entitled Lottie and Lisa. It tells the story of teenage twins that is on a quest to reunite their separated parents. It is directed by David Swift and it starred Haley Mills, Brian Keith, and Maureen O’ Hara. This movie was a success it was nominated for two Academy Awards, had three television sequels, and a remake in 1998 starring Lindsay Lohan.
Bon Voyage!
Bon Voyage! was a live action film that was released in 1962. It was directed by James Neilson and it starred Jane Wyman, Kevin Corcoran, Deborah Walley, Fred MacMurray, and Tommy Kirk. Bon Voyage! is about the Willard family and their adventure as they head to have their European holiday aboard the SS United States.
The Legend of Lobo
The Legend of Lobo is a documentary film that was released in 1962. It follows the life and adventures of a wolf named Lobo who was born and raised in southwestern North America. There is no lines or dialogues in the film it only had interpretation through story-songs that were sung by the Sons of the Pioneers and Sherman Brothers. The film was directed by James Algar and Jack Couffer. It was narrated by Rex Allen.
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins was a live action and animated musical fantasy film that was released in 1964. It was directed by Robert Stevenson and it was based on a book with the same title by P.L Travers. It starred Julie Andrews in her film debut, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, and Dick Van Dyke. It tells the story of how Mary Poppins applied her unique lifestyle to improve a dysfunctional family’s life in London. Mary Poppins became a huge success and it received 13 Academy Awards nominations and it won five including Best Film Editing, Best Actress, Best Original Song, Best Original Music Score, and Best Visual Effects.
Summer Magic
Summer Magic was a live action musical film that was released in 1963. It was directed by James Neilson and it starred Dorothy McGuire, Hayley Mills, and Burl Ives. It tells the story of an early 1900s Boston widow who moves into a new house in a small town in Maine with her children. Summer Magic was based on a novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin entitled Mother Carey’s Chickens. This movie earned Hayley Mills a Golden Globe nomination.
The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book was an animated musical comedy and adventure movie that was released in 1967. It is based on a novel of the same title by Rudyard Kipling and it was Disney’s 19th animated film. And unfortunately, this was the last film that was produced by Walt Disney himself because he died during this production. The Jungle Book is about a feral child named Mowgli who was raised in the Indian jungle by wolves. The Jungle Book was a success and it became Disney’s second-highest grossing animated film in Canada and the United States.
The Three Lives of Thomasina
The three lives of Thomasina is a humorous Disney movie released in 1963. It is an American-British fantasy tale of a girl who lives with her father and cat, Thomasina, in Scotland. Her father is a vet and has decided that Thomasina needs to be put down because of an injury that would greatly affect her quality of life. However, she is rescued by an animal healer, who wipes her memory. The movie revolves around restoring the cat’s memory, which proves to be a challenge for the people involved.
The lead actress was Karen Dotrice, who is known for her role as Jane Banks in Marry Poppins. Her charm helped keep the movie sweet and wholesome.
The Monkey’s Uncle
The Monkey’s Uncle revolves around Merlin Jones, who is a college genius dead set on saving the football team. He concocts a scheme to do so and also attempts to build a man-powered flying machine. However, he is not alone in his schemes. He is helped greatly by his nephew, Stanley, an unusually bright chimpanzee. The movie is deemed strange but depicts familial relationships in a wholesome manner.
The Absent-Minded Professor
The Absent-Minded Professor is an American science fiction comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson, which was released in 1961. The story is based on a short story called A Situation of Gravity by Samuel W. Taylor, published in 1943. The main character is based loosely on Hubery Alyea, a professor at Princeton University, well known as Dr. Boom, due to his explosive demonstrations.
The film was a massive success at the box office and was the first Disney film to have a sequel. It was called Son of Flubber and was released in 1963.
Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars Bobby is an American drama film released in 1961 that stars Laurence Naismith and Donald Crisp. The story is about two Scottish men who are competing with each other for the affection of Bobby, a Skye Terrier. The screenplay is based on a book of the same name, published in 1912. The movie was very well received, and the audience loved the central character, Bobby, to be very endearing and irresistible. The actors were also praised for giving strong and likable performances. If you want to learn more about classic movies, you may also read our post about The Best Teen Movies of the 1960s.
Conclusion
These are the top Disney movies of the 1960s. Which of these Disney movies do you remember watching with your family and friends?