{"id":55774,"date":"2017-08-08T08:00:48","date_gmt":"2017-08-08T12:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=55774"},"modified":"2022-02-05T23:18:44","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T04:18:44","slug":"movie-review-johnny-tremain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-johnny-tremain\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: Johnny Tremain"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Johnny
DVD Cover Copyright Disney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Based on Esther Forbes\u2019s 1943 children\u2019s novel of the same name, Disney\u2019s Johnny Tremain<\/em> was theatrically released on June 19, 1957. The historical fiction drama is eighty minutes in length.<\/p>\n

Structure<\/strong><\/p>\n

Johnny Tremain<\/em> is divided into two approximately forty-minute segments during which a young man named Johnny Tremain (Hal Stalmaster) evolves from a politically apathetic apprentice silversmith into an eager participant in the American patriot cause following a severe hand injury. The film\u2019s first half details the lead up to and the undertaking of the Boston Tea Party between July and December 1773, while the flick\u2019s second half chronicles the events between late 1774 and early 1775 that facilitated the actual fighting of the American Revolution.<\/p>\n

Real People and Events<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although Johnny Tremain <\/em>is a work of historical fiction, the film includes many actual colonial figures, events, and measures. Among the highlighted leaders in the film are Massachusetts Sons of Liberty members James Otis (Jeff York), Samuel Adams (Rusty Lane), Paul Revere (Walter Sande), Josiah Quincy (Whit Bissell), Dr. Joseph Warren (Walter Coy), and John Hancock; then-Boston bookseller and future Revolutionary War hero and United States Secretary of War Henry Knox; Lexington militia captain John Parker; and British Regular military officers General Thomas Gage (Ralph Clanton), Colonel Francis Smith (Gavin Gordon), and Major John Pitcairn (Geoffrey Toone). Warren and Pitcairn were both killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, authentic events and measures encountered in the film include the Townshend Duties; the Tea Act of 1773; meetings of the Sons of Liberty; the Boston Tea Party; the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts; Paul Revere\u2019s journey from Boston to Portsmouth, New Hampshire to warn the locals of a possible British mission to seize the powder stored in Fort William and Mary\u2014this event occurred in December 1774 rather than in the spring of 1775 as depicted in the film, however (1); the dichotomy between the British Regulars and the Massachusetts militiamen; the midnight rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes; and the Battles of Lexington and Concord.<\/p>\n

Community<\/strong><\/p>\n

In eighteenth century New England, liberty was, broadly speaking, both individualistic and collective in nature. Regarding collective liberty, each member of the community had a specific role to perform. The town elites were expected to lead, and other members of the community were expected to follow by performing their role or trade. (2) This paradigm is broadly demonstrated through James Otis\u2019s speech in the film\u2019s second half\u2014some men would contribute to the Revolutionary cause by fighting; others would help by constructing the necessary equipment; and still others, most notably Samuel Adams, would contribute through service in Congress.<\/p>\n

Release<\/strong><\/p>\n

When production of Johnny Tremain<\/em> commenced in September 1956, Walt Disney intended to first air the film\u2019s two parts as separate episodes on his weekly \u201cDisneyland\u201d television series and thereafter release the two segments as a package to theaters. (3) Such had been the formula for the release of Disney\u2019s famed David Crockett series\u2014the five Davy Crockett episodes had debuted as distinct episodes on Disney\u2019s ABC-TV program and were subsequently released to theaters as part of two package films, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier<\/em> (1955) and Davy Crockett and the River Pirates <\/em>(1956). (4)<\/p>\n

By late-October 1956, however, Disney decided to first release Johnny Tremain<\/em> as a package to theaters and air the segments separately on television later. The first part of Johnny Tremain <\/em>was aired on Disney\u2019s television program, now renamed from \u201cDisneyland\u201d to \u201cWalt Disney Presents,\u201d on November 21, 1958, and the second part was broadcast on November 28, 1958. (5)<\/p>\n

Family Affair<\/strong><\/p>\n

Johnny Tremain <\/em>was the only Disney film to feature Walt Disney\u2019s daughter Sharon, who portrayed the title character\u2019s friend Dorcus. (6)<\/p>\n

Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though most of the music in Johnny Tremain <\/em>comes in the form of eclectic background tunes, the flick incorporates one great lyrical number, \u201cThe Liberty Tree.\u201d This memorable ballad, composed by George Bruns, who was named a Disney Legend in 2001, is first sung immediately following the Boston Tea Party scene and is briefly reprised at the end of the film. The song is not quite as catchy as Bruns\u2019s \u201cThe Ballad of Davy Crockett,\u201d but it is catchy enough.<\/p>\n

Liberty Street<\/strong><\/p>\n

Concurrent with the release of Johnny Tremain<\/em>, Walt Disney planned to bring the spirit of the film to Disneyland with \u201cLiberty Street\u201d and \u201cLiberty Square,\u201d the former a cobblestone side street off Main Street U.S.A and the latter a small land at the end of Liberty Street. Liberty Street was intended to incorporate replicas of Revolutionary War-era buildings from each of the thirteen former American colonies as well as various trade shops with artisans performing their respective crafts. Liberty Square, meanwhile, was projected to include a replica of the Capitol Building and a pair of elaborate shows, one about the Declaration of Independence and the other about the United States presidents.<\/p>\n

Seeing that his Imagineers had not perfected the technology needed to bring the historical figures to life, Walt Disney decided to spend his immediate funds on the Matterhorn Bobsleds roller coaster. For their part, the Imagineers soon developed an Abraham Lincoln animatronic, which thrilled guests at the 1964 New York World\u2019s Fair and was subsequently implemented on Main Street U.S.A. in the \u201cGreat Moments with Mr. Lincoln\u201d show, which continues to delight Disneyland guests to this day. More elaborately, a Liberty Square, with a Hall of Presidents show, was included by the Imagineers in Florida\u2019s Magic Kingdom and debuted with the park on October 1, 1971. (7)<\/p>\n

Relationship to Other Disney Films<\/strong><\/p>\n

Johnny Tremain <\/em>was the first of nineteen Disney films directed by Robert Stevenson, who was named a Disney Legend in 2002. Stevenson subsequently directed Old Yeller<\/em> (1957), Darby O\u2019Gill and the Little People<\/em> (1959), Kidnapped<\/em> (1960), The Absent-Minded Professor<\/em> (1961), In Search of the Castaways<\/em> (1962), Son of Flubber<\/em> (1963), The Misadventures of Merlin Jones<\/em> (1964), Mary Poppins<\/em> (1964), The Monkey\u2019s Uncle<\/em> (1965), That Darn Cat!<\/em> (1965), The Gnome-Mobile<\/em> (1967), Blackbeard\u2019s Ghost<\/em> (1968), The Love Bug<\/em> (1968), Bedknobs and Broomsticks<\/em> (1971), Herbie Rides Again<\/em> (1974), The Island at the Top of the World<\/em> (1974), One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing <\/em>(1975), and The Shaggy D.A.<\/em> (1976) for Disney.<\/p>\n

Other contemporary Disney films based on American history included Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier<\/em>, The Great Locomotive Chase<\/em> (1956), Westward Ho the Wagons!<\/em> (1956), and The Light in the Forest<\/em> (1957). Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier<\/em> details the life of Davy Crockett between the War of 1812 and the Alamo, The Great Locomotive Chase <\/em>relays real events of the United States Civil War, Westward Ho the Wagons! <\/em>explores Western settlement in the antebellum period, and The Light in the Forest <\/em>deals with life among settlers and Native Americans in the backcountry prior to the American Revolution.<\/p>\n

Jeff York, who played James Otis in Johnny Tremain<\/em>, previously appeared in The Great Locomotive Chase<\/em>, Westward Ho, the Wagons!<\/em>, and Davy Crockett and the River Pirates<\/em> for Disney; and he subsequently appeared in Old Yeller<\/em> and Savage Sam<\/em> (1963) for the studio.<\/p>\n

Other Disney package films, which featured multiple segments based around a common topic, included Saludos Amigos<\/em> (1942), The Three Caballeros<\/em> (1944), Make Mine Music<\/em> (1945), Fun and Fancy Free<\/em> (1947), Melody Time<\/em> (1948), The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad<\/em> (1949), Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier<\/em>, Davy Crockett and the River Pirates<\/em>, The Misadventures of Merlin Jones<\/em>, The Monkey\u2019s Uncle<\/em>, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh <\/em>(1977).<\/p>\n

The great patriot Benjamin Franklin is highlighted in Disney\u2019s 1953 short \u201cBen and Me.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Walt Disney World\u2019s Liberty Square includes a replica of the Liberty Tree seen in Johnny Tremain<\/em>. An adjacent full service restaurant, \u201cLiberty Tree Tavern,\u201d serves lunch and dinner in a colonial American setting.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Image Copyright The Mouse for Less<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Liberty Square includes two outdoor Muppet shows, both of which are called \u201cThe Muppets Present\u2026Great Moments in American History.\u201d One show is based on the Declaration of Independence; the other show is based on the famed midnight ride of Paul Revere.<\/p>\n

At Walt Disney World, in addition to Liberty Square\u2019s Hall of Presidents, an elaborate American history-based show, \u201cThe American Adventure,\u201d is featured at Epcot.<\/p>\n

Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Concurrently entertaining and educational, Johnny Tremain <\/em>is a great film for the whole family. As one reviewer noted in 1957, \u201cThe picture stands as an excellent introduction to the Revolutionary War for young eyes and minds.\u201d (8)<\/p>\n

Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Fischer, D. H. (1994). Paul Revere’s Ride<\/em>. New York: Oxford University Press; pp. 52-56.<\/p>\n

2) Ibid.; p. 28; Adams, H. (Ed.). (1877). Documents relating to New-England Federalism. 1800-1815<\/em>. New York: Burt Franklin; pp. 338-64.<\/p>\n

3) DISNEY SHOOTING TV SPECTACULAR: Filming of ‘Johnny Tremain,’ Two-Section Story About Revolution, Is Under Way. (1956, September 7). New York Times<\/em>, p. 43. Retrieved July 26, 2017, from https:\/\/libproxy-cc-stonybrook-edu.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu\/login?url=https:\/\/search-proquest-com.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu\/docview\/113758209?accountid=14172<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4) Pryor, T. M. (1955, February 26). DISNEY RELEASES TV SERIES AS FILM: Edits 3 \u2018Davy Crockett\u2019 Shows Into a Feature Picture\u2013 Showings Start in June. New York Times<\/em>, p. 12. Retrieved May 3, 2017, from https:\/\/0-search.proquest.com.alpha1.suffolk.lib.ny.us\/docview\/113203061?accountid=35174<\/a>; Pryor, T. M. (1956, October 22). NEW DISNEY MOVIE TO GO TO THEATRES: ‘Johnny Tremain’ Will Not Be Introduced on TV, as Announced Previously Esther Williams Signed. New York Times<\/em>, p. 25. Retrieved July 26, 2017, from https:\/\/libproxy-cc-stonybrook-edu.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu\/login?url=https:\/\/search-proquest-com.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu\/docview\/113719988?accountid=14172<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5) Ibid.; S., R. F. (1958, October 4). Western Series on Elfego Baca Begins. New York Times<\/em>, p. 43. Retrieved July 26, 2017, from https:\/\/libproxy-cc-stonybrook-edu.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu\/login?url=https:\/\/search-proquest-com.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu\/docview\/114537520?accountid=14172<\/a>; Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1954-1991): Episode List. (n.d.). Retrieved July 26, 2017, from http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0046593\/episodes?year=1958<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6) Fickley-Baker, J. (2011, July 4). The Liberty Tree\u2019s Patriotic Roots. Retrieved from https:\/\/disneyparks.disney.go.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/the-liberty-trees-patriotic-roots\/<\/a>; Smith, D. (2012). Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered<\/em>. New York: Disney Editions, p. 146.<\/p>\n

7) Sampson, W. (2006, November 8). The Liberty Street Story 1959. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.mouseplanet.com\/8167\/The_Liberty_Street_Story_1959<\/a>; Hill, J. (2005, March 14). Let’s take a stroll down Liberty Street. Retrieved from http:\/\/jimhillmedia.com\/editor_in_chief1\/b\/jim_hill\/archive\/2005\/03\/15\/563.aspx<\/a>; Fickley-Baker, J. (2011, July 4). The Liberty Tree\u2019s Patriotic Roots.<\/p>\n

8) T., H. H. (1957, July 11). Johnny Tremain’ at Neighborhood Houses. New York Times<\/em>, p. 21. Retrieved August 1, 2017, from https:\/\/libproxy-cc-stonybrook-edu.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu\/login?url=https:\/\/search-proquest-com.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu\/docview\/114091031?accountid=14172.<\/p>\n

What do you think of Johnny Tremain? Let me know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sponsored Ad:<\/strong>\u00a0 Would you like to help support The Mouse For Less website in continuing their mission of being THE Disney vacation planning resource?\u00a0 You can do so by purchasing\u00a0Johnny Tremain<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>from our Affiliate Link through Amazon. Thanks so much for your support!<\/p>\n

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