Underrated Disney Live-Action Classics?

[alquackskey]

I've been thinking about something as of late; despite the massive volume of Disney's live-action films, very few are given much critical recognition or have the cultural appreciation that most of Disney's animated films do.

That's not exactly a revelation, of course, but it makes getting a comprehensive list of what films should be watched much more difficult.
It doesn't help that looking up Live-Action Disney films usually just brings up discussion on the reboots and remakes... 

So, after watching some that I ended up loving (The Rocketeer, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Apple Dumpling Gang and Song of the South), I decided I want to do a comprehensive run of Disney Live-Action Classics up to 2000.

I've put this list together, and was just wondering what everyone thinks? Anything that should be skipped? Anything I'm missing?
(Some of them, like Homeward Bound, The Santa Clause etc aren't there because I've seen them already, but feel free to mention any that you feel are worth saying!)


Chronological Order:
*Note that while they're organized by year, I might have one or two in the same year mixed up

The Reluctant Dragon (1941)

Victory Through Air Power (1943)

So Dear To My Heart (1948)

Treasure Island (1950)

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)

The Living Desert (1953)

The Vanishing Prairie (1954)

Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955)

The Littlest Outlaw (1955)

The African Lion (1955)

The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)

Davy Crockett and the River Pirates (1956)

Secrets of Life (1956)

Perri (1957)

Johnny Tremain (1957)

Old Yeller (1957)

The Sign of Zorro (1958)

White Wilderness (1958)

The Shaggy Dog (1959)

Darby O' Gill and the Little People (1959)

Third Man on the Mountain (1959)

Jungle Cat (1960)

Pollyanna (1960)

Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)

The Parent Trap (1961)

Greyfriars Bobby (1961)

Babes in Toyland (1961)

The Legend of Lobo (1962)

In Search of Castaways (1962)

Son of Flubber (1963)

The Miracle of the White Stallions (1963)

The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1963)

Summer Magic (1963)

The Incredible Journey (1963)

The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963)

The Moon-Spinners (1963)

Emil and the Detectives (1964)

Mary Poppins (1964)

The Monkey's Uncle (1965)

That Darn Cat! (1965)

The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

Monkeys, Go Home! (1967)

The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967)

The Gnome-Mobile (1967)

Charlie the Lonesome Cougar (1967)

The Happiest Millionaire (1967)

Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)

The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968)

The Love Bug (1968)

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)

The Barefoot Executive (1971)

The Million Dollar Duck (1971)

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)

Herbie Rides Again! (1974)

The Island at the Top of the World (1974)

Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)

One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing (1975)

Treasure of Matecumbe (1976)

Gus (1976)

Freaky Friday (1976)

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)

Candleshoe (1977)

Pete's Dragon (1977)

Return From Witch Mountain (1978)

The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

The Black Hole (1979)

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979)

Herbie Goes Bananas! (1980)

Popeye (1980)

The Devil and Max Devlin (1981)

Dragonslayer (1981)

Condorman (1981)

Tron (1982)

Return to Oz (1985)

The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)

Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

White Fang (1991)

Newsies (1992)

Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992)

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Cool Runnings (1993)

Iron Will (1994)

Blank Cheque (1994)

D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994)

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (1994)

Angels in the Outfield (1994)

The Santa Clause (1994)

Operation Dumbo Drop (1995)

Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996)

D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996)

101 Dalmatians (1996)

Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)

George of the Jungle (1997)

Air Bud (1997)

Flubber (1997)

Mr. Magoo (1997)

Mighty Joe Young (1998)

Inspector Gadget (1999)


Alphabetical Order:

101 Dalmatians (1996)

The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)

The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967)

The African Lion (1955)

Air Bud (1997)

Angels in the Outfield (1994)

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979)

Babes in Toyland (1961)

The Barefoot Executive (1971)

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

The Black Hole (1979)

Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

Blank Cheque (1994)

Candleshoe (1977)

The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

Charlie the Lonesome Cougar (1967)

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)

Condorman (1981)

Cool Runnings (1993)

D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994)

D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996)

Darby O' Gill and the Little People (1959)

Davy Crockett and the River Pirates (1956)

Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955)

The Devil and Max Devlin (1981)

Dragonslayer (1981)

Emil and the Detectives (1964)

Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)

Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Flubber (1997)

Freaky Friday (1976)

George of the Jungle (1997)

The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)

The Gnome-Mobile (1967)

Greyfriars Bobby (1961)

Gus (1976)

The Happiest Millionaire (1967)

Herbie Goes Bananas! (1980)

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)

Herbie Rides Again! (1974)

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996)

Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992)

The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968)

Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

In Search of Castaways (1962)

The Incredible Journey (1963)

Inspector Gadget (1999)

Iron Will (1994)

The Island at the Top of the World (1974)

Johnny Tremain (1957)

The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)

Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)

Jungle Cat (1960)

The Legend of Lobo (1962)

The Littlest Outlaw (1955)

The Living Desert (1953)

The Love Bug (1968)

Mary Poppins (1964)

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

Mighty Joe Young (1998)

The Million Dollar Duck (1971)

The Miracle of the White Stallions (1963)

Monkeys, Go Home! (1967)

The Monkey's Uncle (1965)

The Moon-Spinners (1963)

Mr. Magoo (1997)

Newsies (1992)

Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)

Old Yeller (1957)

The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)

One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing (1975)

Operation Dumbo Drop (1995)

The Parent Trap (1961)

Perri (1957)

Pete's Dragon (1977)

Pollyanna (1960)

Popeye (1980)

The Reluctant Dragon (1941)

Return From Witch Mountain (1978)

Return to Oz (1985)

The Santa Clause (1994)

The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1963)

Secrets of Life (1956)

The Shaggy Dog (1959)

The Sign of Zorro (1958)

So Dear To My Heart (1948)

Son of Flubber (1963)

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)

Summer Magic (1963)

Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

That Darn Cat! (1965)

Third Man on the Mountain (1959)

The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963)

Treasure Island (1950)

Treasure of Matecumbe (1976)

Tron (1982)

The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

The Vanishing Prairie (1954)

Victory Through Air Power (1943)

White Fang (1991)

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (1994)

White Wilderness (1958)



It'd be nice to get some discussion going on Disney's Live-Action films - outside of a few iconic ones, I never see them being brought up outside of race discussions.

[Matilda]

Is this list in order of release date? It would help me to have two versions, one by release date (if that's what this is) and one alphabetical (by first word not including "a" or "the"), for a quick scan to look for a specific title.

I recommend The Incredible Journey (1963), the original version of the story remade as Homeward Bound, where the animals don't talk. And "The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men" (1952), which Leonard Maltin respects, and which was one of my mother's favorite movies. And "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" (1963 again!), which has a movie-length version released in theaters ("Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow") and a superior extended three-episode version which was shown on the many-named Sunday evening Disney TV show. I saw a bunch of the 1960's movies on first release on the big screen in my childhood, including The Happiest Millionaire, The Absent-Minded Professor and its sequel, Son of Flubber. My personal favorite live-action Disney movie in childhood was That Darn Cat!, which I just suggested to a friend with an 11-year-old girl, who loved it. I haven't seen all of the Hayley Mills Disney movies (The Moon-Spinners, Summer Magic...), but I will say that Pollyanna is much better than the metaphoric use of the name implies. Another fine movie I suggest for girls is the 1985 "The Journey of Natty Gann," which is a rare dog-and-child movie (OK, it's a wolf, but it's a dog-like wolf, played by a wolf/Malamute hybrid) where the child is female. Actually, Natty Gann and Disney's animated Bolt are still the only two dog-and-girl movies I can think of...and in Bolt, the dog is separated from his girl for most of the movie. I have a friend whose childhood fave was the girl-and-cat story "The Three Lives of Thomasina" (like Scarecrow, shown I believe in a three-part version on the Disney TV show) which I didn't see till adulthood and do think is worth seeing. Of the ones in your list, I also love Dragonslayer (OK male lead, fine female character, excellent wizard, visually impressive dragon) and Cool Runnings.

[Matilda]

I was once part of a discussion about creating ritual to help children who are going through parental divorce, and I mockingly suggested a bonfire of copies of The Parent Trap. Not because it's a bad movie, but because it encourages the common child's fantasy of bringing the parents back together. Not to mention the fantasy of breaking up your divorced parent's relationship with a new partner. The people involved in the discussion who had been through parental divorce or who were divorced as parents all heartily and laughingly endorsed the ritual.

[alquackskey]

Aug 3, 2021 16:52:10 GMT Matilda said:

Is this list in order of release date? It would help me to have two versions, one by release date (if that's what this is) and one alphabetical (by first word not including "a" or "the"), for a quick scan to look for a specific title.

I recommend The Incredible Journey (1963), the original version of the story remade as Homeward Bound, where the animals don't talk. And "The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men" (1952), which Leonard Maltin respects, and which was one of my mother's favorite movies. And "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" (1963 again!), which has a movie-length version released in theaters ("Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow") and a superior extended three-episode version which was shown on the many-named Sunday evening Disney TV show. I saw a bunch of the 1960's movies on first release on the big screen in my childhood, including The Happiest Millionaire, The Absent-Minded Professor and its sequel, Son of Flubber. My personal favorite live-action Disney movie in childhood was That Darn Cat!, which I just suggested to a friend with an 11-year-old girl, who loved it. I haven't seen all of the Hayley Mills Disney movies (The Moon-Spinners, Summer Magic...), but I will say that Pollyanna is much better than the metaphoric use of the name implies. Another fine movie I suggest for girls is the 1985 "The Journey of Natty Gann," which is a rare dog-and-child movie (OK, it's a wolf, but it's a dog-like wolf, played by a wolf/Malamute hybrid) where the child is female. Actually, Natty Gann and Disney's animated Bolt are still the only two dog-and-girl movies I can think of...and in Bolt, the dog is separated from his girl for most of the movie. I have a friend whose childhood fave was the girl-and-cat story "The Three Lives of Thomasina" (like Scarecrow, shown I believe in a three-part version on the Disney TV show) which I didn't see till adulthood and do think is worth seeing. Of the ones in your list, I also love Dragonslayer (OK male lead, fine female character, excellent wizard, visually impressive dragon) and Cool Runnings.

This list is in order of release date! I'll put them in alphabetical order and edit the original comment with a second list  

I've seen Homeward Bound, but never the original Incredible Journey. I figured it'd be pretty similar, but I didn't know that they don't talk in the original! That alone would definitely make it worth adding!

These definitely seem like some solid suggestions; I hadn't come across The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. That one in particular looks really interesting (I have a strange fondness for scarecrows - I don't know if this one is anything like Wizard of Oz or Worzel Gummidge, but I guess I'll find out   )
Son of Flubber is one that I'm interested in, but I decided to leave sequels on the list so it didn't get bogged down by the likes of the Herbie films - I'll definitely keep it in mind!

I'll edit the original list to add the suggested entries!

Aug 3, 2021 17:09:57 GMT Matilda said:

I was once part of a discussion about creating ritual to help children who are going through parental divorce, and I mockingly suggested a bonfire of copies of The Parent Trap. Not because it's a bad movie, but because it encourages the common child's fantasy of bringing the parents back together. Not to mention the fantasy of breaking up your divorced parent's relationship with a new partner. The people involved in the discussion who had been through parental divorce or who were divorced as parents all heartily and laughingly endorsed the ritual.

Ahh, that's good to know.
I'll still watch it for its icon status, but I also heavily detest that trope - I'll just have to hope that the film can stand without it 

[That Duckfan]

Excellent! I've been wanting to do this for some time. You know how I am about comprehensive lists, regardless, I hope you'll share your thoughts with us. It's hard to say when to quit, but I've noticed in my own marathon that corporate tastes are settling in by the late '80s. I wouldn't watch anything that feels like it was designed by committee.

I've not seen a lot of live-action Disney movies (with many on our list I still want to see), but I can give my thoughts on them.

1940s: You're not doing The Reluctant Dragon, Victory Through Air Power, or So Dear To My Heart? Those were some of the more interesting movies I watched during my run. You're doing yourself a disservice there!

1950s: I see you've left out the True-Life Adventures. They're more fiction than fact, but I guess you're more concerned with the main body of work. I've only seen Treasure Island, which was memorable, and Darby O'Gill and the Little People. I recommend the latter to everyone, even if it takes on every Irish stereotype in the book! Sean Connery singing is worth the price of admission alone.

1960s: I've heard good things about In Search of the Castaways, Summer Magic, and The Monkey's Uncle. Emil and the Detectives was quite a famous story here in Europe, though it's been a while since then. Oh, and you must do The One and Only, Genuine, Original, Family Band. Where's Mary Poppins?

1970s: Add Bedknobs and Broomsticks on your list. I'm seeing a lot of unappetizing titles on your list here, but no Candleshoe (with David Niven and Jodie Foster!) or the second Witch Mountain. The Muppet Movie wasn't strictly Disney at the time, but with all the recent acquisitions, it's one you shouldn't miss.

1980s: Cool Runnings is a fun one. Don't forget Tron and Return to Oz.

1990s: The Mighty Ducks was pretty big in the US, but I'm not a big fan of sports movies myself. Some of the remakes are supposed to be pretty good: the live-action 101 Dalmatians, Robin Williams' Flubber. The Brendan Fraser movies maybe: George of the Jungle, Inspector Gadget. And Leslie Nielsen's Mr. Magoo is a guilty pleasure of mine. Nothing beats the jazzercise chicken, and the "Peru is in Brazil" exchange is classic.


Matilda: this list might be of some help to you.

[Matilda]

Aug 3, 2021 18:30:03 GMT That Duckfan said:

Excellent! I've been wanting to do this for some time. You know how I am about comprehensive lists, regardless, I hope you'll share your thoughts with us. It's hard to say when to quit, but I've noticed in my own marathon that corporate tastes are settling in by the late '80s. I wouldn't watch anything that feels like it was designed by committee.

I've not seen a lot of live-action Disney movies (with many on our list I still want to see), but I can give my thoughts on them.

1940s: You're not doing The Reluctant Dragon, Victory Through Air Power, or So Dear To My Heart? Those were some of the more interesting movies I watched during my run. You're doing yourself a disservice there!

1950s: I see you've left out the True-Life Adventures. They're more fiction than fact, but I guess you're more concerned with the main body of work. I've only seen Treasure Island, which was memorable, and Darby O'Gill and the Little People. I recommend the latter to everyone, even if it takes on every Irish stereotype in the book! Sean Connery singing is worth the price of admission alone.

1960s: I've heard good things about In Search of the Castaways, Summer Magic, and The Monkey's Uncle. Emil and the Detectives was quite a famous story here in Europe, though it's been a while since then. Oh, and you must do The One and Only, Genuine, Original, Family Band. Where's Mary Poppins?

1970s: Add Bedknobs and Broomsticks on your list. I'm seeing a lot of unappetizing titles on your list here, but no Candleshoe (with David Niven and Jodie Foster!) or the second Witch Mountain. The Muppet Movie wasn't strictly Disney at the time, but with all the recent acquisitions, it's one you shouldn't miss.

1980s: Cool Runnings is a fun one. Don't forget Tron and Return to Oz.

1990s: The Mighty Ducks was pretty big in the US, but I'm not a big fan of sports movies myself. Some of the remakes are supposed to be pretty good: the live-action 101 Dalmatians, Robin Williams' Flubber. The Brendan Fraser movies maybe: George of the Jungle, Inspector Gadget. And Leslie Nielsen's Mr. Magoo is a guilty pleasure of mine. Nothing beats the jazzercise chicken, and the "Peru is in Brazil" exchange is classic.


Matilda : this list might be of some help to you.

The Reluctant Dragon? We're talking live-action movies, here. Even the live-action movies you mention with animated bits (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Mary Poppins) have been discussed on this forum on your thread.

Re: Muppets--if we're going to include movies that weren't Disney when they were made, that brings in a whole bunch of stuff....

I am putting various Hayley Mills Disney movies on my own to-watch list, including In Search of the Castaways and Summer Magic.

I did watch Candleshoe last year and enjoyed it.

[Matilda]

Aug 3, 2021 17:47:48 GMT alquackskey said:

Aug 3, 2021 16:52:10 GMT Matilda said:

Aug 3, 2021 17:09:57 GMT Matilda said:

I was once part of a discussion about creating ritual to help children who are going through parental divorce, and I mockingly suggested a bonfire of copies of The Parent Trap. Not because it's a bad movie, but because it encourages the common child's fantasy of bringing the parents back together. Not to mention the fantasy of breaking up your divorced parent's relationship with a new partner. The people involved in the discussion who had been through parental divorce or who were divorced as parents all heartily and laughingly endorsed the ritual.

Ahh, that's good to know.
I'll still watch it for its icon status, but I also heavily detest that trope - I'll just have to hope that the film can stand without it 

If "children of divorced parents engineering their parents' reconciliation" is a trope, then the original Parent Trap is most likely the story that started it.

[Matilda]

Aug 3, 2021 17:47:48 GMT alquackskey said:

Aug 3, 2021 16:52:10 GMT Matilda said:

This list is in order of release date! I'll put them in alphabetical order and edit the original comment with a second list  

I've seen Homeward Bound, but never the original Incredible Journey. I figured it'd be pretty similar, but I didn't know that they don't talk in the original! That alone would definitely make it worth adding!

These definitely seem like some solid suggestions; I hadn't come across The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. That one in particular looks really interesting (I have a strange fondness for scarecrows - I don't know if this one is anything like Wizard of Oz or Worzel Gummidge, but I guess I'll find out   )

I'll edit the original list to add the suggested entries!

Aug 3, 2021 17:09:57 GMT Matilda said:

Thanks for adding the alphabetical list!

"The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" is really good, with fine acting and writing and a very memorable theme song. The Scarecrow is the mild-mannered vicar's outlaw-in-a-good-cause persona, and the costume/laugh are pretty scary to a child-viewer, but in a pleasant shivery way, not a hint-of-torture horror-movie way. The three-episode version has a focus on a boy character which allows the child-viewer someone to identify with.

For Disney comics fans, I will add that there is a Disney Duck story which is a tribute to The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh: The Hanged Man by the Shaws. No indication on Inducks of the connection, but it's clear if you've seen The Scarecrow. I found that story very enjoyable, precisely because I'm so fond of The Scarecrow of RM.

I don't know how difficult it is to see The Scarecrow. Is it on Disney+ ? I am lucky to own the Disney Treasures DVD, but that's certainly hard to find and ridiculously expensive.

[alquackskey]

Aug 3, 2021 18:30:03 GMT That Duckfan said:

Excellent! I've been wanting to do this for some time. You know how I am about comprehensive lists, regardless, I hope you'll share your thoughts with us. It's hard to say when to quit, but I've noticed in my own marathon that corporate tastes are settling in by the late '80s. I wouldn't watch anything that feels like it was designed by committee.

I've not seen a lot of live-action Disney movies (with many on our list I still want to see), but I can give my thoughts on them.

1940s: You're not doing The Reluctant Dragon, Victory Through Air Power, or So Dear To My Heart? Those were some of the more interesting movies I watched during my run. You're doing yourself a disservice there!

1950s: I see you've left out the True-Life Adventures. They're more fiction than fact, but I guess you're more concerned with the main body of work. I've only seen Treasure Island, which was memorable, and Darby O'Gill and the Little People. I recommend the latter to everyone, even if it takes on every Irish stereotype in the book! Sean Connery singing is worth the price of admission alone.

1960s: I've heard good things about In Search of the Castaways, Summer Magic, and The Monkey's Uncle. Emil and the Detectives was quite a famous story here in Europe, though it's been a while since then. Oh, and you must do The One and Only, Genuine, Original, Family Band. Where's Mary Poppins?

1970s: Add Bedknobs and Broomsticks on your list. I'm seeing a lot of unappetizing titles on your list here, but no Candleshoe (with David Niven and Jodie Foster!) or the second Witch Mountain. The Muppet Movie wasn't strictly Disney at the time, but with all the recent acquisitions, it's one you shouldn't miss.

1980s: Cool Runnings is a fun one. Don't forget Tron and Return to Oz.

1990s: The Mighty Ducks was pretty big in the US, but I'm not a big fan of sports movies myself. Some of the remakes are supposed to be pretty good: the live-action 101 Dalmatians, Robin Williams' Flubber. The Brendan Fraser movies maybe: George of the Jungle, Inspector Gadget. And Leslie Nielsen's Mr. Magoo is a guilty pleasure of mine. Nothing beats the jazzercise chicken, and the "Peru is in Brazil" exchange is classic.


Matilda : this list might be of some help to you.

Absolutely - it would be a difficult undertaking to have a genuine comprehensive list; especially for someone like myself, who hasn't really given Disney's live-action side much consideration.
The main thing I'm going for is a sort of a 'highlights' reel; they don't all necessarily have to be smash hits, but I'm going for ones that are either iconic, significant in some way or just a good time. Plus, I've really enjoyed the ones that I've watched so far, so it's worth just seeing what films I enjoy!

I considered sharing my thoughts, but, if I'm totally honest, I think I'm a little too simple-minded for it.
I don't mean to call myself an idiot or say that in a self-deprecating manner; my main issue is that I'm very easy to please. When most people are deriding a comedy for being stupid or poorly-written, I'm the guy in the back shrieking with laughter   That's not necessarily to discredit my own opinion or anything, but I'd question how much of actual value I could bring to the table
On a similar note, I'm pretty dense when it comes to some forms of corporatism in films - I can notice the stuff that's disgustingly blatant (Like Illumination's take on The Lorax), but I'd be liable to miss certain details or elements
Also, I feel like it might be a little derivative of your own threads if I was to do something similar - not to mention my order has been very scattered because I'm watching with a few people of different temperaments!

Still, I could probably go back and give summaries on some of the films - I'm still blown away by how much I enjoyed The Apple Dumpling Gang 

As for the films you mention:
1940s - Gah! My initial draft of the list was very scattered because I was just throwing things on there as I found them. I scrapped it and restarted in chronological order with a list I found on imdb - I knew something was missing! I'm assuming they weren't included because of the animated segments - Pete's Dragon wasn't on there, nor was Bedknobs and Broomsticks... they were all in the original draft!

1950s - Honestly, I'm open to anything; when I say that my knowledge on live-action Disney is limited, I really mean it   I just looked into it a little - they're not what I had in mind, but I'm interested in seeing them! I know that they're not all necessarily accurate (Especially from what I've heard about White Wilderness   ) but I think they're just as important to look into. I'll add the feature-length ones to the list!
As an Irishman myself, I'm interested in rewatching Darby O' Gill - I watched it when I was very young, but don't remember much about it. That'll be interesting 

1960s - I'll add the ones you've mentioned to the list! As for Mary Poppins, it's one I've seen, but at this point, it might be best to add those anyway - I could do with rewatching a few!

1970s - B&B was a case of me forgetting to re-add them, definitely adding it! I thought I had Candleshoe on there? If you looked at the first list I posted, I might have left it out or something. I was intending to leave out sequels, but considering the praise so far for some of them, maybe I should throw them on - considering how big it's getting, I suppose it's not likely for any franchise to dominate!
The Muppet Movie I'll be keeping off - I absolutely adore them, especially the first movie, but like Matilda says, it opens a lot of doors that would complicate things. Imagine if I was to include Fox, too... 
As for unappetizing titles, do you mean films that you find particularly problematic or just not very good?

1980s - I just watched Cool Runnings tonight; I adored it! Tron was one I'd already seen, though I'll throw it on for the sake of others (like with Mary Poppins), and I wasn't too sure about Return to Oz. I had a reason for leaving it off, but I can't actually remember it right now - so I may as well throw it in!

1990s - Honestly, I'm somewhat similar myself. I can enjoy them for the characters and the hokey "We're not a team, we're a family" schlock that I fall for every time   but the sports themselves are of no interest to me for the most part. I loved 101 Dalmatians! For some reason I felt a bit hesitant about the likes of Mr. Magoo, Inspector Gadget and Popeye - I don't know why, though.
Honestly disgusted with myself for missing George of the Jungle, though 

It will take some time to add the above-mentioned films, but I'll throw them all in once I've written this post up

Aug 3, 2021 19:12:19 GMT Matilda said:

Aug 3, 2021 18:30:03 GMT That Duckfan said:

Excellent! I've been wanting to do this for some time. You know how I am about comprehensive lists, regardless, I hope you'll share your thoughts with us. It's hard to say when to quit, but I've noticed in my own marathon that corporate tastes are settling in by the late '80s. I wouldn't watch anything that feels like it was designed by committee.

I've not seen a lot of live-action Disney movies (with many on our list I still want to see), but I can give my thoughts on them.

1940s: You're not doing The Reluctant Dragon, Victory Through Air Power, or So Dear To My Heart? Those were some of the more interesting movies I watched during my run. You're doing yourself a disservice there!

1950s: I see you've left out the True-Life Adventures. They're more fiction than fact, but I guess you're more concerned with the main body of work. I've only seen Treasure Island, which was memorable, and Darby O'Gill and the Little People. I recommend the latter to everyone, even if it takes on every Irish stereotype in the book! Sean Connery singing is worth the price of admission alone.

1960s: I've heard good things about In Search of the Castaways, Summer Magic, and The Monkey's Uncle. Emil and the Detectives was quite a famous story here in Europe, though it's been a while since then. Oh, and you must do The One and Only, Genuine, Original, Family Band. Where's Mary Poppins?

1970s: Add Bedknobs and Broomsticks on your list. I'm seeing a lot of unappetizing titles on your list here, but no Candleshoe (with David Niven and Jodie Foster!) or the second Witch Mountain. The Muppet Movie wasn't strictly Disney at the time, but with all the recent acquisitions, it's one you shouldn't miss.

1980s: Cool Runnings is a fun one. Don't forget Tron and Return to Oz.

1990s: The Mighty Ducks was pretty big in the US, but I'm not a big fan of sports movies myself. Some of the remakes are supposed to be pretty good: the live-action 101 Dalmatians, Robin Williams' Flubber. The Brendan Fraser movies maybe: George of the Jungle, Inspector Gadget. And Leslie Nielsen's Mr. Magoo is a guilty pleasure of mine. Nothing beats the jazzercise chicken, and the "Peru is in Brazil" exchange is classic.


Matilda : this list might be of some help to you.

The Reluctant Dragon? We're talking live-action movies, here. Even the live-action movies you mention with animated bits (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Mary Poppins) have been discussed on this forum on your thread.

Re: Muppets--if we're going to include movies that weren't Disney when they were made, that brings in a whole bunch of stuff....

I am putting various Hayley Mills Disney movies on my own to-watch list, including In Search of the Castaways and Summer Magic.

I did watch Candleshoe last year and enjoyed it.

I'm happy to include films that include animation - Song of the South was one of the films that got me going on this buzz, after all!

Aug 3, 2021 19:14:11 GMT Matilda said:

Aug 3, 2021 17:47:48 GMT alquackskey said:

Ahh, that's good to know.
I'll still watch it for its icon status, but I also heavily detest that trope - I'll just have to hope that the film can stand without it 

If "children of divorced parents engineering their parents' reconciliation" is a trope, then the original Parent Trap is most likely the story that started it.

Ahh - it's not particularly a sore spot for me at this point, but it's a message that I very much dislike because it has some pretty harmful implications for some people.
Watch as I say all of this and then end up loving the film, though 

Aug 3, 2021 19:29:15 GMT Matilda said:

Aug 3, 2021 17:47:48 GMT alquackskey said:

This list is in order of release date! I'll put them in alphabetical order and edit the original comment with a second list  

I've seen Homeward Bound, but never the original Incredible Journey. I figured it'd be pretty similar, but I didn't know that they don't talk in the original! That alone would definitely make it worth adding!

These definitely seem like some solid suggestions; I hadn't come across The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. That one in particular looks really interesting (I have a strange fondness for scarecrows - I don't know if this one is anything like Wizard of Oz or Worzel Gummidge, but I guess I'll find out   )

I'll edit the original list to add the suggested entries!

Thanks for adding the alphabetical list!

"The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" is really good, with fine acting and writing and a very memorable theme song. The Scarecrow is the mild-mannered vicar's outlaw-in-a-good-cause persona, and the costume/laugh are pretty scary to a child-viewer, but in a pleasant shivery way, not a hint-of-torture horror-movie way. The three-episode version has a focus on a boy character which allows the child-viewer someone to identify with.

For Disney comics fans, I will add that there is a Disney Duck story which is a tribute to The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh: The Hanged Man by the Shaws. No indication on Inducks of the connection, but it's clear if you've seen The Scarecrow. I found that story very enjoyable, precisely because I'm so fond of The Scarecrow of RM.

I don't know how difficult it is to see The Scarecrow. Is it on Disney+ ? I am lucky to own the Disney Treasures DVD, but that's certainly hard to find and ridiculously expensive.

No worries!

Honestly, it sounds like a lot of fun - although I'm worried about the theme song, because I currently have "The Apple Dumpling Gang" and "Jamaica We Have a Bobsled Team" battling for dominance in my brain 
Plus, the 'pleasant shivery' kind of scary is always great; I don't even know how to describe the feeling it gives beyond your description, but it's one of the most fun experiences you can have with a film!

Unfortunately, it's not on Disney Plus - at least, not for me - but I'll find it somehow!

[Matilda]

Glad you enjoyed Cool Runnings! Even if "Jamaica We Have a Bobsled Team" is taking over your brain! I wouldn't say that the theme song of Scarecrow is a brainworm...just musically distinctive and memorable.

I don't recommend Son of Flubber--I was just saying that I had seen a bunch of the 1960's Disney movies on first release in a movie theater, and the two Flubber movies plus Happiest Millionaire were among those. I don't really remember anything in particular about any of those three movies. I also saw 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) on its re-release to theaters in the 1960's, and I was definitely too young for that. All I remember is my older brothers teasing me for having to leave my seat and retreat to the restroom during the fight with the giant squid. That movie had a very positive critical reception, though.

[alquackskey]

Aug 4, 2021 0:38:21 GMT Matilda said:

Glad you enjoyed Cool Runnings! Even if "Jamaica We Have a Bobsled Team" is taking over your brain! I wouldn't say that the theme song of Scarecrow is a brainworm...just musically distinctive and memorable.

I don't recommend Son of Flubber--I was just saying that I had seen a bunch of the 1960's Disney movies on first release in a movie theater, and the two Flubber movies plus Happiest Millionaire were among those. I don't really remember anything in particular about any of those three movies. I also saw 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) on its re-release to theaters in the 1960's, and I was definitely too young for that. All I remember is my older brothers teasing me for having to leave my seat and retreat to the restroom during the fight with the giant squid. That movie had a very positive critical reception, though.

I'm a sucker for stories where a team of different people come together and become friends/family 
I get what you mean about Scarecrow - it'll be interesting to hear the theme, nonetheless!

My main reason for including some of the entries was that it felt unfair to add certain sequels, but not others - I can't imagine that all of the Herbie movies are great, but I wouldn't know at which point to stop.
Likewise with The Apple Dumpling Gang sequel - the fact that the kids, Donovan and Dusty are all absent is pretty ridiculous to me and I'm not all that interested in watching it, but I didn't think it was fair to pick and choose.
I'll keep that in mind about Son of Flubber, though - it will definitely be a low priority!

I adored 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - it had its faults (I was disgusted by the animal cruelty in the film, and the cannibals... oh boy), but outside of those, I thought it was amazing!
Admittedly, I could only laugh at the squid; when I saw it shooting forward, tentacles first, I cracked up - though I can understand being too young and being scared... I still struggle to watch Pee-Wee's Big Adventure because of Large Marge 

[Matilda]

Oh, I also recommend "Miracle of the White Stallions" (1963 AGAIN!!), the story about the Lipizzaners getting saved in WW2. I was enchanted by the horses, of course. But the main reason it made an enduring impression on me was that I had the comic book version of the movie, a Gold Key one-shot.

[alquackskey]

Aug 4, 2021 0:49:53 GMT Matilda said:

Oh, I also recommend "Miracle of the White Stallions" (1963 AGAIN!!), the story about the Lipizzaners getting saved in WW2. I was enchanted by the horses, of course. But the main reason it made an enduring impression on me was that I had the comic book version of the movie, a Gold Key one-shot.

Added - Strangely enough, it's marked on imdb as "Flight of the White Stallions".
The name you've given is what's on the posters, though, so it's what I'll put down 

[Matilda]

Aug 4, 2021 1:16:36 GMT alquackskey said:

Aug 4, 2021 0:49:53 GMT Matilda said:

Oh, I also recommend "Miracle of the White Stallions" (1963 AGAIN!!), the story about the Lipizzaners getting saved in WW2. I was enchanted by the horses, of course. But the main reason it made an enduring impression on me was that I had the comic book version of the movie, a Gold Key one-shot.

Added - Strangely enough, it's marked on imdb as "Flight of the White Stallions".
The name you've given is what's on the posters, though, so it's what I'll put down 

"Flight of the WS" is the UK title, according to imdb. As I access imdb from a computer in the USA, the title for the movie is "Miracle of the WS." On the "AKA" list of titles, "Miracle" is listed first as "original title" as well as on the USA line.

In German and in Spanish, it appears that the title would translate as "the escape of the WS," so equivalent to "flight" in that meaning of the word. (That is, the Spanish title used in Mexico and Argentina; in Spain it was called "Operación Cowboy"!!)

[juicymcduck]

Aug 3, 2021 17:09:57 GMT Matilda said:

I was once part of a discussion about creating ritual to help children who are going through parental divorce, and I mockingly suggested a bonfire of copies of The Parent Trap. Not because it's a bad movie, but because it encourages the common child's fantasy of bringing the parents back together. Not to mention the fantasy of breaking up your divorced parent's relationship with a new partner. The people involved in the discussion who had been through parental divorce or who were divorced as parents all heartily and laughingly endorsed the ritual.

Very true! If memory serves me right, Mrs. Doubtfire was originally supposed to end with Daniel and Miranda getting back together, but the executives realized that it could foster unrealistic and potentially harmful expectations in children.