The Incredible Journey (1963)
80 mins | Adventure | 6 November 1963
Director:
Fletcher MarkleWriter:
James AlgarCinematographer:
Kenneth PeachEditor:
Norman R. PalmerProduction Designers:
Carroll Clark, John B. MansbridgeProduction Companies:
Walt Disney Productions , Cangary, Ltd.The 9 Jun 1961 DV announced the $50,000 purchase by the Walt Disney Company of film rights for Sheila Burnford’s 1961 novel.
An article in the 23 Oct 1963 LAT identified the animal actors as Rink, a Labrador retriever; Muffey, a bull terrier; and Syn, a Siamese cat. During production, the well-trained animals took any discussion of a scene by director Fletcher Markle as a command, and positioned themselves accordingly. Markle remedied the problem by spelling out the animals’ names and any words that could be misinterpreted as an order. The 26 May 1963 LAT noted that Muffey was trained by Halleck Driscoll, and the dog’s owner, William R. Koehler.
The 19 Mar 1963 DV announced that voice actor Rex Allen arrived in Burbank, CA, to provide narration. He was due at a rodeo in Edmonton, Canada, six days later.
The Incredible Journey opened 6 Nov 1963 in Los Angeles, CA. Critical notices were generally positive, although the 21 Nov 1963 NYT advised that the picture was best suited for young children. The picture received the “Movie of the Month Award” from Parents magazine, and was named best children’s film by the Thomas Alva Edison Foundation.
An obituary in the 17 Sep 1963 DV stated that composer Oliver Wallace died two days earlier, shortly after completing the film’s score.
...
The 9 Jun 1961 DV announced the $50,000 purchase by the Walt Disney Company of film rights for Sheila Burnford’s 1961 novel.
An article in the 23 Oct 1963 LAT identified the animal actors as Rink, a Labrador retriever; Muffey, a bull terrier; and Syn, a Siamese cat. During production, the well-trained animals took any discussion of a scene by director Fletcher Markle as a command, and positioned themselves accordingly. Markle remedied the problem by spelling out the animals’ names and any words that could be misinterpreted as an order. The 26 May 1963 LAT noted that Muffey was trained by Halleck Driscoll, and the dog’s owner, William R. Koehler.
The 19 Mar 1963 DV announced that voice actor Rex Allen arrived in Burbank, CA, to provide narration. He was due at a rodeo in Edmonton, Canada, six days later.
The Incredible Journey opened 6 Nov 1963 in Los Angeles, CA. Critical notices were generally positive, although the 21 Nov 1963 NYT advised that the picture was best suited for young children. The picture received the “Movie of the Month Award” from Parents magazine, and was named best children’s film by the Thomas Alva Edison Foundation.
An obituary in the 17 Sep 1963 DV stated that composer Oliver Wallace died two days earlier, shortly after completing the film’s score.
When the Hunter family depart from their Canadian town for a summer in England, they leave their pets--Bodger (an elderly bull terrier), Luath (a yellow Labrador retriever), and Tao (a Siamese cat)--with their friend John Longridge, who lives in Ontario 250 miles away. Toward the end of the summer, John goes off on a hunting trip, and the three homesick animals set out to find their way back to the Hunter house. During their journey across some of Canada's wildest terrain, the three participate in numerous adventures. There are an encounter with a lynx, a battle with a vicious farm dog, and a scuffle with a bear. Tao, a natural hunter, brings Bodger food after he collapses from weakness. The dogs become separated from Tao when he falls into a river and nearly drowns, but they are reunited after the cat has been rescued and nursed back to health by a little Finnish girl. Luath has a painful encounter with a porcupine, but his wounds are treated by a kindly farmer. Along the way an old hermit entertains the trio as his guests. Upon returning from England, the Hunters are informed of the disappearance of their pets. A short time later a somewhat unhappy birthday party in the Hunter garden is turned into a homecoming celebration as the three pets emerge from the woods behind the house and rush to join the family for a happy ...
When the Hunter family depart from their Canadian town for a summer in England, they leave their pets--Bodger (an elderly bull terrier), Luath (a yellow Labrador retriever), and Tao (a Siamese cat)--with their friend John Longridge, who lives in Ontario 250 miles away. Toward the end of the summer, John goes off on a hunting trip, and the three homesick animals set out to find their way back to the Hunter house. During their journey across some of Canada's wildest terrain, the three participate in numerous adventures. There are an encounter with a lynx, a battle with a vicious farm dog, and a scuffle with a bear. Tao, a natural hunter, brings Bodger food after he collapses from weakness. The dogs become separated from Tao when he falls into a river and nearly drowns, but they are reunited after the cat has been rescued and nursed back to health by a little Finnish girl. Luath has a painful encounter with a porcupine, but his wounds are treated by a kindly farmer. Along the way an old hermit entertains the trio as his guests. Upon returning from England, the Hunters are informed of the disappearance of their pets. A short time later a somewhat unhappy birthday party in the Hunter garden is turned into a homecoming celebration as the three pets emerge from the woods behind the house and rush to join the family for a happy reunion.
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Offscreen Credit
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