Greyfriars Bobby (Disney) (1961)

Walt Disney’s ‘“‘Greyfriars Bobby” Brings Vivid & Warm Screen Life to Great Story (PREPARED REVIEW) _ “Greyfriars Bobby,” Walt Disney’s newest offering of the unusual and exciting in motion picture entertainment, which opened at the .................. fe theatre last night, is one of the most unbelievable pages of history come to vivid life on the screen. The production depicts in endearing manner one of the world’s immortal dog stories, that of the little Skye terrier who kept an incredible 14-year vigil over his master’s grave in Scotland’s Greyfriars churchyard over a century ago. Based on Eleanor Atkinson’s famous book, “Greyfriars Bobby,” the full-length feature was made at authentic locales in Scotland, and stars a distinguished cast of players. Donald Crisp, playing the key part of Mr. Brown, sexton and keeper of Greyfriars churchyard in which the little terrier won immortal fame, gives another warm and vital performance, enhancing one of the most amazing careers in the motion picture industry. Laurence Naismith, long considered one of the most talented and versatile character actors, stars as Mr. Traill, owner of Traill’s Dining Rooms where sustenance and shelter are provided first to Bobby’s master and later to the faithful dog himself. Mr. Traill’s efforts to win the little dog’s affection provide Naismith with ample scope for putting humor and pathos into his warmly human role. Alexander Mackenzie, former school teacher who made his name as an actor after passing the normal age of retirement, is also wonderful in the important and sympathetic role of Old Jock, the poor shepherd who is immortalized through the devotion of his dog. Kay Walsh, the brilliant character actress of top-budget British films, portrays another of the Edinburgh folk who were drawn together through compassion and love for a mite of a dog. Miss Walsh beautifully enacts the role of Mrs. Brown, a tactful referee in the eventual dispute between her husband and Mr. Traill for the affection and ownership of little Bobby. Then there is the adorable terrier himself, Bobby, played by a little Skye terrier who looks exactly like his famous namesake. The new Disney canine star is certain to captivate audiences of all ages. “Greyfriars Bobby” was produced in color by Technicolor. Hugh Attwooll was associate producer. The film is notably directed by Don Chaffey. Paul Beeson, famed lighting cameraman, used a new technique of color photography to produce the time-mellowed impression of Greyfriars’ century-old backgrounds. The story has been translated to screen fare with consummate care and the highest regard for engrossing entertainment as well as authenticity of characterization and period atmosphere in the Disney tradition. Buena Vista releases. KAY WALSH’S FAMED DRAMATIC TALENT A HIGHLIGHT OF “GREYFRIARS BOBBY” Kay Walsh, brilliant stage and screen actress who has contributed her dramatic talent to many top British films, co-stars in Walt Disney’s Technicolor production of “Greyfriars Bobby.” The famed true story from Scottish history relates how Bobby, a little terrier, keeps a devoted vigil at his master’s grave for almost 14 years. Miss Walsh plays the role of the wife of the kirkyard caretaker while veteran performer Donald Crisp essays the role of her husband. Although Kay Walsh is widely known for her work on the stage, where she began her acting career, it is through her screen performances in such films as “Oliver Twist,” “This Happy Breed,” “In Which We Serve,” “Lost Holiday” and “The Horse’s Mouth” that she has risen to the top of her profession. Prior to appearing in Disney’s “Greyfriars Bobby,” she renewed a successful acting partnership with Alex Guinness in the highly successful “Tunes of Glory.” “Greyfriars Bobby,” filmed in Scotland and England, co-stars Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alexander Mackenzie, Miss Walsh and introduces Bobby, a tiny Skye terrier. Hugh Attwooll was associate producer. Don Chaffey directed for Buena Vista release. @ peemaancemqummenenmsanmaseenerarerseemacemenn Mat BOB 2E RIVALS FOR BOBBY. . . Laurence Naismith, as an innkeeper, and Donald Crisp, as a kirkyard caretaker, battle over the rightful ownership of the Skye terrier, Bobby, in this scene from Walt Disney’s Technicolor production, ‘Greyfriars Bobby,” starring Crisp, Naismith, Alex Mackenzie and Kay Walsh. ©1961 Walt Disney Productions § Mat BOB 2D A STROLL AROUND TOWN .. . Bobby, a beloved Skye terrier, and his new-found friends, Ailie and Tammy, happily walk down the streets of Edinburgh in this scene from Walt Disney's ‘'Greyfriars Bobby.’ The Technicolor feature stars Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alex Mackenzie and Kay Walsh. Column Items Donald Crisp, veteran star of top films, is ideally cast in Walt Disney’s Technicolor screen version of the famous “Greyfriars Bobby” story. The film depicts the remarkably true account of a little dog who kept constant vigil at his master’s grave for 14 long years. Crisp, himself an avowed dog lover, has made somewhat a specialty of such canine stories. Some 20 years ago he directed and performed in “Lassie Come Home” and more recently starred in “Dog of Flanders.” * The little Skye terrier who plays Bobby in Walt Disney's Technicolor production of ‘Greyfriars Bobby” got his starring part in a real rags-to-riches way. He was purchased from an animal shelter for $1.70 by the daughter of a police sergeant in a small Scottish town. Upon reading of the intensive “Canine” search for the movie, and seeing how much the stray dog resembled the famous Bobby’s picture, the woman wrote to Walt Disney. Within days the little terrier was flown to London and signed to be the star of the show. * 2 * In Walt Disney’s Technicolor feature production, “Greyfriars Bobby,” actor Andrew Cruickshank is afforded a role in complete contrast to a previous Disney characterization. In “Greyfriars Bobby” he enacts the part of the Lord Provost of Edinburgh who befriends little Bobby, the Skye terrier, who keeps a loyal vigil at his master’s grave. In a previous Disney picture, “Kidnapped,” Cruickshank played one of the most unpopular characters in the cast — the role of Colin Roy Campbell, the King’s Agent, whose murder made the hero a hunted man. * Kay Walsh, starring in Walt Disney's Technicolor production, “Greyfriars Bobby,”” is well known for her fine performances on the stage and in many British films. It is not generally known, however, that she also collaborated on writing the screenplay for “Great Expectations,” a film which starred John Mills and launched Alec Guinness to his Present international fame. * & Alexander Mackenzie, starring in Walt Disney’s Technicolor production, “Greyfriars Bobby,” is living proof of the old axiom: “It’s never too late!” Mackenzie retired from a lifetime of teaching mathematics when he was 61 years of age. He then turned to a new career of radio acting and appearing in documentary films. Now, at 75, he has his first starring role in a feature motion picture. * * Daguerrotypes of Edinburgh, Scotland, as it looked over 100 years ago, proved invaluable research aids in the filming of Walt Disney's Technicolor production, “Greyfriars Bobby.” Art Director Michael Stringer gathered together every daguerrotype available and thus was able to reconstruct exact replicas of certain parts of Edinburgh as it was in the year 1860. | Scotland’s Royal Pipe and Drum Band, the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, play an entertaining and colorful role in Walt Disney’s Technicolor production, “Greyfriars Bobby,” the appealing true story of a little dog who kept a loving vigil at his master’s grave for 14 years. The famed bandsmen bring the skirl of their pipes and the beat of their drums to the screen as they swagger by in parade before old Edinburgh Castle. In the episode from the new film the little Skye terrier is given the freedom of the city in reward for his loyalty to a dead master even to the point of getting under foot: as the pipers and drummers pass in review along the Esplanade. GREYFRIARS BOBBY HONORED BY A QUEEN Queen Victoria once instigated honors commemorating the loyalty and courage of a dog, the remarkable hero of Walt Disney’s Technicolor production, “Greyfriars Bobby.” The dog so honored was a tiny Skye terrier by the name of Bobby who lived in Greyfriars kirkyard, a cemetery located in the center of teeming Edinburgh, Scotland. When Bobby’s master, a penniless shepherd, died in 1858, the dog began a lonely and loving vigil at the old shepherd’s grave that was to last until the dog’s death some 14 years later. At first, Bobby was branded a stray and was hailed into local court on charges of being unlicensed and a vagrant. In the simple and wonderful ways of children, the waifs of Edinburgh sold everything they possessed to buy back Bobby’s freedom and life. The appealing story received wide coverage in the press, and eventually came to the attention of Her Majesty, the Queen. Queen Victoria asked for periodic reports on Bobby’s well-being. Finally, when the mite of a dog died, she “suggested” that he be buried at Greyfriar’s near his master and that a monument be erected “to one of our most loyal subjects.” And so it was done. “Greyfriars Bobby” stars Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alexander Mackenzie and Kay Walsh. Buena Vista releases. Mat BOB 1D WARM AFFECTION . . . Bobby, the Skye terrier, wins another devoted follower in the person of a farmer's little daughter in this scene from Walt Disney's “Greyfriars Bobby,” a Technicolor feature starring Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alex Mackenzie and Kay Walsh. Greyfriars Bobby’s Constant Companion Inseparable companion of the little nineteenth-month old shaggy star of Walt Disney’s Technicolor production, “Greyfriars Bobby,” is John Darlys, forty-eight-year-old Hungarian born trainer of the latest Disney canine hero. In Switzerland, where Parlys had taken refuge from Hungary during the war, he launched his unique dog act in which a troupe of twenty-six dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes took over a stage alone, dressed and behaving as humans, from the moment the curtain rose until it finally fell to thunderous applause. Since then the act has become world famous both on the music hall stage and on television. When it reached the ears of Walt Disney he felt Darlys was the ideal trainer for Bobby, who would react to the sympathy, love and infinite patience of John Darlys. “Greyfriars Bobby” has a large cast headed by Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alexander Mackenzie and Kay Walsh. Buena Vista releases.