THE MOONSPINNERS
US, 1964, 118 minutes, Colour.
Hayley Mills, Peter Mc Enery, Eli Wallach, Pola Negri, Joan Greenwood, Sheila Hancock, Irene Papas, John Le Mesurier, Andre Morell.
Directed by James Neilson.
The Moonspinners is a popular Disney film from the early 60s, a star vehicle for Hayley Mills as she turned 18. She had been very successful in such Disney films as Pollyanna (for which she won an honorary Oscar), The Parent Trap, In Search of the Castaways, Summer Magic. She was 1ater to make That Darn Cat.
The film is a romantic thriller (in the light Hitchcock vein). It has the advantages of Cretan locations which are used well. The plot, both in its melodrama and its romance, is fairly predictable. However, James Neilson, the director of several Disney movies, keeps the pace moving and there are chases, climaxes, threats. The cast is particularly strong, Eli Wallach as the villain, Irene Pappas as his sister, the owner of the inn on Crete, Peter McEnery(later in Disney's Fighting Prince of Donegal) is the romantic lead, Joan Greenwood is Hayley Mills' aunt. In supporting roles are John Le Mesurier and Sheila Hancock as the British consul and his wife as well as veteran star of the silent screen, Pola Negri, as Madam Hubib. The film is colourful and enjoyable although Hayley Mills shows herself to be the 50s type heroine, always seeming to be in peril. However, she herself gives a much stronger impression of being tough.
1. Entertaining Walt Disney romantic adventure? In the Hitchcock touch? Vehicle for Hayley Mills? Her popularity as a youngster, as a young adult?
2. The use of the locations, the island of Crete, the village, the churches, windmills, the sea? The musical score and its flavour?
3. The title, the myth about the bay of dolphins, the Inn in London and on Crete?
4. Crete and its landscapes, the people, the customs? The contrast with the English and their demands, tourists?
5. Nikki and Fran, travelling in the bus, Nikki sick? Going to the hotel and their being turned away? Fran's very English behaviour, demanding a room? The meeting with Mark and Nikki attracted? Stratos and his hostility? Sofia and her hostility but change of heart? Alexis and his friendship? The happy sequences in the Inn, the wedding festivities, the dancing? The plan for the picnic, Nikki going to the church, finding Mark and his being injured, the firs aid? Caught by Stratos, hidden in the windmill? Rescued by Alexis and Mark? With Mark in the hills, Stratos and his accomplice and their trying to kill Mark? The fights? Nikki and her anxiety, wanting to hear the truth? Going to the ruins, Mark's story? Found by the consul, going to his home, his wife, her help, her drinking and the truth? Going in the hearse, the plan, the escape, taking the boat to the yacht? Madame Hubib and the story? The final confrontation, the happy ending and the romance?
6. Mark, the attractive young Englishman, at dinner, dancing? The clashes with Stratos? His being shot, in the church, needing Nikki's help, her rescuing him? The clashes with Stratos, going to the windmill, helping Alexis free Nikki? The fights, the ruins? His telling the story of the robbery and his being blamed? Recovering in the Consul's house, not telling the truth? In the hearse, getting out, going to the boat, the final fight with Stratos, the jewels, Madame Habib, his being vindicated and the happy ending?
7. Stratos, the villain, in England, sending money to Sofie? His following astrology? The bay of dolphins? His helper, not wanting any visitors, hostility towards Nikki and Fran? Hunting in the night, shooting Mark? Going out on the boat, checking the jewels? Finding Nikki, putting her in the windmill? The clashes with Mark, going on the boat, with Madame Habib, with the Consul? His comeuppance?
8. Sofia, her clash with the visitors, her change of heart? Her confronting Stratos? Alexis, his help?
9. Fran, the Englishwoman abroad, her concerns, the happy ending?
10. Madame Habib, the yacht, her wealth, her cheetah, the high style exaggeration of her manner and way of life? Bewildered by Nicki, helping Mark?
11. The Consul, his manner, his wife and her drinking, double dealing?
12. Popular ingredients for Disney action romance?
