OLD YELLER
US, 1957, 83 minutes, Colour.
Dorothy Mc Guire, Fess Parker, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, Jeff York, Chuck Connors.
Directed by Robert Stevenson.
Old Yeller is a delightful Disney film, a portrait of farm life in the 19th century and an anticipation of such series as The Little House on the Prairie. The meticulous re-creation of life on a farm is most interesting and attractive. Dorothy Mc Guire is at home in this kind of film as the mother (she had just made Friendly Persuasion). Fess Parker (Disney's Davy Crockett) has a small role as a farmer. As the older boy, on whom the burden of the plot rests, Tommy Kirk is excellent. There is good support from Chuck Connors as well as Jeff York as an obtuse neighbour. Of course, Old Yeller himself is very engaging.
The film is one of the best dog stories - the attachment between boy and dog, the loyalty of the dog in time of difficulty, the facing of the old age and illness of the dog. Direction by Robert Stevenson, director of so many Disney films including Mary Poppins.
1. An enjoyable family film? Dog film? Piece of Americana and heritage?
2. Themes and settings, the farm and the landscapes, the details of the farm activities, animals? The locations and the sequences with the musical score? songs?
3. Disney and his perception of audience needs? Interest in families, animals? Courage, struggles? Violence? Sentiment?
4. Portrait of the family: the detail of life on the farm, the life of the family? Coates and his love for his family, the need to go on the cattle drive, his going for the three months? The first time away from, his wife? The children? The importance? his absence and the point of his return?
5. The portrait of Mary: love for her husband, her children, training them, the work? her neighbours? Hospitality? The question of the dog, helping her children with the dog? The owner coming, the trade? Her neighbour and his laziness, eating? warnings about hydrophobia? Elizabeth and her style, wit? Her wisdom in leaving Travis in charge, supporting him? Concern about Arliss? The illness of the dog, the injury to Travis, going out and bringing him back? Her wanting to shoot the dog? The decision for Travis to shoot him? The danger for Arliss in letting him out? The return of her husband? Reconciliation, a future?
6. The portrait of Travis: his age, responsibility, skill at work, the farm? Support of his father, mother, brother? Arlis antagonistic towards the dog? His work, his being helped by the dog? Getting to the attachment? With his brother? The owner and their being allowed to keep the dog? Searcy and his warnings about Hydrophobia? Advice about getting the Digs? His work, with the pigs, the injury? Being saved in accidents by Old Yeller? The illness, his not wanting the dog shot? His realisation of the truth, his courage in shooting the dog? His abruptness towards Elizabeth? The talk with his father, Old Yeller's grave, accepting the pup? The future?
7. Arliss and his playfulness, attachment to Old Yeller, mischief around the house, a little boy, Travis having to learn that he was a boy? The bonds between the two brothers? With the dog? The stranger and the trade with the horn road? Old Yeller's illness, his wanting to let out? The danger?
8. The owner of the dog, his wanting him back, reading the children well, the hospitality, the trade?
C. Searey and his visits, laziness, eating, warnings? Elizabeth and her friendship, the pups, offering then, the rejection, the reconciliation?
10. A portrait of American farm life? American traditions? Their universal appeal?
